Evaluation of Associated Factors for Cadmium Exposure and Kidney Function in General Population

Abstract

PP-29-159 Background/Aims: Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential toxic metal which is widely distributed in the environment. General population is exposed to the low level Cd chronically and the kidney is the most sensitive target organ to Cd toxicity. Methods: We interviewed demographic characteristics, lifestyles, medical histories, and diet intakes during the last 24 hours. We estimated daily Cd intake through diet in 643 adults who had not been occupationally exposed to Cd. Whole blood and spot urine samples were collected from study subjects, we analyzed internal exposure level of Cd and affecting factors, also evaluated renal function and oxidative stress biomarkers. Results: The daily Cd intake from diet was 7.07 μg/day, the mean concentration of Cd was 1.21 μg/L in blood and 0.95 μg/g creatinine in urine. Blood Cd level was affected by age, sex, smoking habit, dietary Cd intakes. Urinary Cd level was affected by sex, age, and blood Cd level. Urinary Cd were positively correlated with MT, NAG activity, and MDA, but blood Cd only with MT. Increased NAG activity was observed at above 1.0 ug Cd/g creatinine in urine, which indicates that NAG responds to the urine Cd sensitively. However, NAG activity was also affected by age, hypertension, and diabetes histories. The urinary MT responded to the Cd in urine only, which finding suggests that MT is relatively specific to the chronic low level Cd exposure. Conclusion: In conclusion, general population have been exposed to low level Cd and exposure levels were affected by diet and smoking habits, sex, and age which might cause tubular damage in kidney through the oxidative stress mechanism. Urinary NAG and MT could be useful biomarkers under the environmental exposure to Cd.