Positive Association between Endothelium-Platelet Microparticles and Urinary Concentration of Lead and Cadmium in Adolescents and Young Adults.

Chih-Kuo Lee,Ta-Chen Su,Fung-Chang Sung,Po-Chin Huang,Chien-Yu Lin,Charlene Wu

doi:10.3390/nu13092913

Abstract

(1) Background: In previous research, higher levels of urine heavy metals, especially lead and cadmium, have been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. However, there is no information linking exposure to heavy metal to endothelial and platelet microparticles (EMPs and PMPs), particularly in the younger population, which are novel biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction. (2) Methods: From a nationwide database, which was incepted in 1992–2000, screening for renal health among Taiwanese school children, a total of 789 subjects were recruited. Cross-sectional analysis was performed to evaluate the association between serum EMPs/PMPs and urine iron, nickel, copper, cadmium, lead, chromium, manganese, and zinc levels in the adolescent and young adult population. (3) Results: After we adjusted the conventional cardiovascular risk factors, CD31+/CD42a− and CD31+/CD42a+ counts, in subjects’ serum, respective markers of EMP and PMP displayed a significant positive dose-response relationship with urinary lead and cadmium levels. Higher quartiles of urine lead and cadmium levels were associated with an increased risk of higher EMPs/PMPs (≥75th percentile) in a multivariate logistic regression model. (4) Conclusion: Higher urinary lead and cadmium concentrations are strongly associated with endothelium–platelet microparticles in this adolescent and young adult population, which could help explain, in part, the mechanism through which heavy metal exposure results in cardiotoxicity.

Highlights

In recent decades, increased worldwide industrialization, urbanization, and use of fossil fuels have resulted in increasing heavy metal levels in the environment
We found that the CD31+/CD42a− level increased significantly with levels of Cd, Pb, and Zn, but the Mn level was inversely associated with CD31+/CD42a− counts
Since the majority of our participants reported that they do not have chronic systemic disease, we were able to observe the association between heavy metals and EMPs/PMPs without interference from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) or risk factors

Summary

Introduction

In recent decades, increased worldwide industrialization, urbanization, and use of fossil fuels have resulted in increasing heavy metal levels in the environment. Human activities such as mining, manufacturing, and fossil fuel burning have directly caused the accumulation of lead in the environment and the human body. Adverse health effects attributable to contamination of heavy metals such as copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), and iron (Fe) are of high concern [1,2]. All of them have a high potential to be absorbed, accumulated, and biomagnified in many organs, which in turn can cause various abnormalities and diseases [3]. To identify the underlying mechanisms for the cardiovascular adverse effect of Pb is essential to construct practical preventive strategies [7]

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