The association between the serum levels of Molybdenum and Cadmium with the development of urolithiasis

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Background. Kidney stones have increased globally and become a public health problem. The association between kidney stone risk and environmental heavy metal exposure was examined in some observational studies. Environmental and industrial metal contaminants commonly found include excess molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd). The objective of this study is to examine the correlation between the presence of kidney stones in a group of adults and the levels of these two metals in their blood serum. Methods. In this study, 44 patients with renal stones were taken against 44 healthy subjects from Basra Governate in Iraq. We employ the Agilent Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS Agilent 7500/USA) technique to quantify the concentrations of molybdenum (Mo) and Cadmium (Cd). Results. The results indicate a significant difference in patients' molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) levels. Molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) levels in the patient group were (179 ppb, 2.86 ppb) and in the healthy group (156 ppb, 1.22 ppb), respectively. The study also includes the antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde, xanthine oxidase, and superoxidase dismutase), which may be affected by increased heavy metal levels and significant differences between the patient and healthy groups. We use the enzyme-linked immune sorbent assay (ELISA) technique to assay antioxidant enzymes. The study also assesses the function of the liver and kidneys (serum uric acid, urea, serum creatinine, total serum bilirubin, direct and indirect bilirubin, GOT, GPT, and ALP). The patient and the healthy group significantly differed in liver and renal function parameters. Conclusion. The study determined that both molybdenum (Mo) and cadmium (Cd) are identified as risk factors for the formation of kidney stones. Elevated blood Mo and Cd exposure has been linked to increased urolithiasis in adults, and urolithiasis may be predisposed to high serum Mo and Cd levels.