Kidney Biomarkers Associated with Blood Lead, Mercury, and Cadmium in Premenopausal Women: a Prospective Cohort Study

Overview

Journal J Toxicol Environ Health A

Specialties Environmental Health
Toxicology

Date 2014 Nov 27

PMID 25424620

Citations 19

Authors

Anna Z Pollack

Sunni L Mumford

Pauline Mendola

Neil J Perkins

Yaron Rotman

Jean Wactawski-Wende

Enrique F Schisterman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Certain metals are harmful to the kidney and liver at high levels, but associations with functional biomarkers at low exposure levels among premenopausal women apparently has not been evaluated. Healthy, regularly menstruating women (n = 259) were followed for up to 2 menstrual cycles with up to 16 visits. Renal and liver biomarkers were measured in serum at each clinic visit. Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) were measured in whole blood at baseline. Linear mixed models were adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), race, average calories, alcohol intake, smoking, and cycle day. Median levels of Cd, Pb, and Hg were 0.31 μg/L, 0.88 μg/dl, and 1.1 μg/L, respectively. One-third of women had diminished glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (<90 ml/min/1.73 m(2)). Each twofold increase in Cd was associated with a negative 4.9% change in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and bilirubin. Each twofold rise in Pb was associated with decreased eGFR and increased creatinine. A twofold elevation in Hg was associated with higher protein and reduced alkaline phosphatase. In healthy, predominantly nonsmoking women, low levels of Cd, Pb, and Hg were associated with changes in select biomarkers of kidney and liver function.

Citing Articles

The Effect of Selenium Against Cadmium-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Rats: The Role of the TRPM2 Channel.

Keles O, Bayir M, Cicek H, Ahlatci A, Yildizhan K Toxics. 2025; 13(2).

PMID: 39997902 PMC: 11860756. DOI: 10.3390/toxics13020087.

The Protective Activity of Against Mercuric Chloride (HgCl)-Induced Renal Toxicity in Male Rats.

Rabey H, Rezk S, Abusaber A, Khlabi R, Alhawiti A, M Algorayed R Int J Nephrol. 2024; 2024:8023989.

PMID: 39502378 PMC: 11535192. DOI: 10.1155/2024/8023989.

Associations of Blood and Urinary Heavy Metals with Stress Urinary Incontinence Risk Among Adults in NHANES, 2003-2018.

Fu M, Zhu Z, Xiang Y, Yang Q, Yuan Q, Li X Biol Trace Elem Res. 2024; 203(3):1327-1341.

PMID: 38884860 PMC: 11872759. DOI: 10.1007/s12011-024-04264-8.

A Cross-Sectional Analysis Investigating Pregnant Women's Renal Function and Its Association with Lead and Cadmium Exposures-The DSAN Birth Cohort Study in Recôncavo Baiano, Brazil.

Di Giuseppe E, Ferreol Bah H, Gomes Junior E, Dos Santos N, Costa D, Martinez V Toxics. 2024; 12(4).

PMID: 38668484 PMC: 11054989. DOI: 10.3390/toxics12040261.

Coral fossil: A potential adsorbent of natural source for cadmium removal in broilers.

Mustari A, Alam M, Khatun M, Rockybul Alam M, Miah M, Chowdhury E Saudi J Biol Sci. 2023; 30(9):103742.

PMID: 37538949 PMC: 10394008. DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2023.103742.

References

Wactawski-Wende J, Schisterman E, Hovey K, Howards P, Browne R, Hediger M . BioCycle study: design of the longitudinal study of the oxidative stress and hormone variation during the menstrual cycle. Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2009; 23(2):171-84. PMC: 2722955. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.2008.00985.x. View

Muntner P, He J, Vupputuri S, Coresh J, Batuman V . Blood lead and chronic kidney disease in the general United States population: results from NHANES III. Kidney Int. 2003; 63(3):1044-50. DOI: 10.1046/j.1523-1755.2003.00812.x. View

Nunes E, Cavaco A, Carvalho C . Exposure assessment of pregnant Portuguese women to methylmercury through the ingestion of fish: cross-sectional survey and biomarker validation. J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2014; 77(1-3):133-42. DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2014.867200. View

Jarup L, Hellstrom L, Alfven T, Carlsson M, Grubb A, Persson B . Low level exposure to cadmium and early kidney damage: the OSCAR study. Occup Environ Med. 2000; 57(10):668-72. PMC: 1739874. DOI: 10.1136/oem.57.10.668. View

Ellingsen D, Efskind J, Berg K, Gaarder P, Thomassen Y . Renal and immunologic markers for chloralkali workers with low exposure to mercury vapor. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2000; 26(5):427-35. DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.564. View

Lin J, Tan D, Hsu K, Yu C . Environmental lead exposure and progressive renal insufficiency. Arch Intern Med. 2001; 161(2):264-71. DOI: 10.1001/archinte.161.2.264. View

Hsiao C, Wu H, Lai J, Kuo H . A longitudinal study of the effects of long-term exposure to lead among lead battery factory workers in Taiwan (1989-1999). Sci Total Environ. 2001; 279(1-3):151-8. DOI: 10.1016/s0048-9697(01)00762-8. View

. K/DOQI clinical practice guidelines for chronic kidney disease: evaluation, classification, and stratification. Am J Kidney Dis. 2002; 39(2 Suppl 1):S1-266. View

Prati D, Taioli E, Zanella A, Della Torre E, Butelli S, Del Vecchio E . Updated definitions of healthy ranges for serum alanine aminotransferase levels. Ann Intern Med. 2002; 137(1):1-10. DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-137-1-200207020-00006. View

10.

Weaver V, Lee B, Ahn K, Lee G, Todd A, Stewart W . Associations of lead biomarkers with renal function in Korean lead workers. Occup Environ Med. 2003; 60(8):551-62. PMC: 1740600. DOI: 10.1136/oem.60.8.551. View

11.

Mortada W, Sobh M, El-Defrawy M . The exposure to cadmium, lead and mercury from smoking and its impact on renal integrity. Med Sci Monit. 2004; 10(3):CR112-6. View

12.

Satarug S, Nishijo M, Ujjin P, Vanavanitkun Y, Baker J, Moore M . Effects of chronic exposure to low-level cadmium on renal tubular function and CYP2A6-mediated coumarin metabolism in healthy human subjects. Toxicol Lett. 2004; 148(3):187-97. DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2003.10.028. View

13.

Mahaffey K, Clickner R, Bodurow C . Blood organic mercury and dietary mercury intake: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1999 and 2000. Environ Health Perspect. 2004; 112(5):562-70. PMC: 1241922. DOI: 10.1289/ehp.6587. View

14.

Cramer K, Goyer R, Jagenburg R, Wilson M . Renal ultrastructure, renal function, and parameters of lead toxicity in workers with different periods of lead exposure. Br J Ind Med. 1974; 31(2):113-27. PMC: 1009566. DOI: 10.1136/oem.31.2.113. View

15.

Himeno S, Watanabe C, Suzuki T . Urinary biochemical changes in workers exposed to mercury vapor. Ind Health. 1986; 24(3):151-5. DOI: 10.2486/indhealth.24.151. View

16.

Barregard L, Hultberg B, Schutz A, Sallsten G . Enzymuria in workers exposed to inorganic mercury. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 1988; 61(1-2):65-9. DOI: 10.1007/BF00381609. View

17.

Langworth S, Elinder C, Sundquist K, Vesterberg O . Renal and immunological effects of occupational exposure to inorganic mercury. Br J Ind Med. 1992; 49(6):394-401. PMC: 1012120. DOI: 10.1136/oem.49.6.394. View

18.

Staessen J, Lauwerys R, Buchet J, Bulpitt C, RONDIA D, Vanrenterghem Y . Impairment of renal function with increasing blood lead concentrations in the general population. The Cadmibel Study Group. N Engl J Med. 1992; 327(3):151-6. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM199207163270303. View

19.

Pirkle J, Brody D, Gunter E, Kramer R, Paschal D, Flegal K . The decline in blood lead levels in the United States. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). JAMA. 1994; 272(4):284-91. View

20.

Kim R, Rotnitsky A, Sparrow D, Weiss S, Wager C, Hu H . A longitudinal study of low-level lead exposure and impairment of renal function. The Normative Aging Study. JAMA. 1996; 275(15):1177-81. View