Blood Cadmium Concentrations Research Articles

Higher Blood Cadmium Concentration Is Associated With Increased Likelihood of Abdominal Aortic Calcification.

AimsThis study aimed to evaluate the association between blood cadmium concentration (BCC) and abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in adults aged ≥40 years in the United States.MethodsData were obtained from the 2013–2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Participants without data about BCC and AAC scores were excluded. BCC was directly measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). AAC scores were quantified by the Kauppila scoring system, and severe AAC was defined as an AAC score >6. Weighted multivariable regression analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted to explore the independent relationship between cadmium exposure with AAC scores and severe AAC.ResultsA total of 1,530 participants were included with an average BCC of 0.47 ± 0.02 μg/L and AAC score of 1.40 ± 0.10 [mean ± standard error (SE)]. The prevalence of severe AAC was 7.96% in the whole subjects and increased with the higher BCC tertiles (Tertile 1: 4.74%, Tertile 2: 9.83%, and Tertile 3: 10.17%; p = 0.0395). We observed a significant positive association between BCC and the AAC score (β = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.01~0.30) and an increased risk of severe AAC [odds ratio (OR) = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.03~2.04]. Subgroup analysis and interaction tests revealed that there was no dependence for the association between BCC and AAC.ConclusionBlood cadmium concentration was associated with a higher AAC score and an increased likelihood of severe AAC in adults in the United States. Cadmium exposure is a risk factor for AAC, and attention should be given to the management of blood cadmium.

Association between prenatal cadmium exposure and cord blood DNA methylation

Prenatal cadmium exposure is known to affect infant growth and organ development. Nonetheless, the role of DNA methylation in cadmium-related health effects has yet to be determined. To this end, we investigated the relationship between prenatal cadmium exposure and cord blood DNA methylation in Korean infants through an epigenome-wide association study. Cadmium concentrations in maternal blood during early and late pregnancy and in cord blood collected from newborns were measured using atomic adsorption spectrometry and DNA methylation analysis was conducted using HumanMethylationEPIC BeadChip kits. After adjusting for infant sex, maternal pregnancy body mass index, smoking status, and estimated leukocyte composition, we analyzed the association between CpG methylation and cadmium concentration in 364 samples. Among 835,252 CpG sites, maternal blood cadmium concentration in early pregnancy was significantly associated with two differentially methylated CpG sites, cg05537752 and cg24904393, which were annotated ATP9A and no gene, respectively. The study findings indicate that prenatal cadmium exposure is significantly associated with methylation statuses of several CpG sites and regions in Korean infants, especially during early pregnancy.

Serum klotho and its associations with blood and urine cadmium and lead across various stages of glomerular function: data for US adults aged 40-79years.

Exposures to cadmium and lead can cause oxidative stress, leading to tissue damage resulting in kidney and cardiovascular diseases. The antiaging protein klotho, on the other hand, is known to act as an anti-oxidative agent. How klotho homeostasis interacts with exposure to cadmium and lead has not been reported. Thus, this study was carried to investigate associations of serum klotho with blood and urine cadmium and lead in US adults aged 40-79years across stages of eGFR-based kidney function and albuminuria defined as urinary albumin/creatinine ratio of > 30mg/g creatinine. As long as the kidney function was normal (eGFR ≥ 90mL/min/1.73 m2) or near normal (60 ≤ eGFR < 90mL/min/1.73 m2), there was no evidence of an association between cadmium exposure and klotho concentrations irrespective of the presence/absence of albuminuria. During kidney dysfunction (15 ≤ eGFR < 60mL/min/1.73 m2), 10% increases in blood cadmium concentrations resulted in decreases in klotho concentrations between 0.27 and 0.84%. In addition, during severe kidney dysfunction (15 ≤ eGFR < 45mL/min/1.73 m2), a positive association between urine cadmium and serum klotho concentrations was observed. In the absence of albuminuria and when kidney function was normal or near normal, 10% increases in blood lead concentrations were observed to be associated with modest decreases between 0.28% and 0.37% in serum klotho concentrations. Similar results were observed between the concentrations of urine lead and serum klotho during kidney dysfunction.

Maternal exposure to cadmium during pregnancy is associated with changes in DNA methylation that are persistent at 9 years of age

BackgroundCadmium (Cd) exposure during gestation has been associated with altered DNA methylation at birth, but it is not known if the changes in methylation persist into childhood. ObjectivesTo evaluate whether gestational Cd-related changes of DNA methylation persist from birth to 9 years of age. MethodsWe studied mother–child dyads in a longitudinal cohort in rural Bangladesh. Cadmium concentrations in maternal blood (erythrocyte fraction; Ery-Cd) at gestational week 14 and in child urine (U-Cd, long-term exposure marker) at 9 years were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The epigenome-wide DNA methylation was measured in mononuclear cells (PBMCs) prepared from cord blood and peripheral blood at 9 years in 71 children (hereafter referred to as the explorative group) by Infinium HumanMethylation450K BeadChip. Replication of one differentially methylated region (DMR; 9 CpG sites) was performed in PBMCs of 160 9-year-old children (validation group) by EpiTyper MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. ResultsThe median maternal Ery-Cd concentration was 1.24 µg/kg (range 0.35, 4.55) in the explorative group and 0.83 µg/kg (0.08, 2.97) in the validation group. The median U-Cd concentration in the 9-year-old children was 0.26 µg/L (0.09, 1.06) in the explorative group and 0.32 µg/L (0.07, 1.33) in the validation group. In the explorative group, we identified ten DMRs, both in cord blood and in PBMCs at 9 years, that were associated with maternal Ery-Cd. Eight out of the ten DMRs were hypomethylated and three of the hypomethylated DMRs were located in the HLA region on chromosome 6. One of the DMRs (hypomethylated) in the HLA region (upstream of the zinc finger protein 57 homolog, ZFP57 gene) was replicated in the validation group, and we found that it was hypomethylated in relation to maternal Ery-Cd, but not child U-Cd. ConclusionGestational exposure to Cd appears to be associated with regional changes, especially hypomethylated, in DNA methylation that linger from birth up to prepubertal age.

Analysis of Whole Blood and Urine Trace Elements in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Autistic Behaviors

The relationship between trace elements and neurological development is an emerging research focus. We performed a case–control study to explore (1) the differences of 13 trace elements chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), cadmium (Cd), stannum (Sn), stibium (Sb), mercury (Hg), titanium (TI), and plumbum (Pb) concentration in whole blood and urine between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children and their typical development peers, and (2) the association between the 13 trace elements and core behaviors of ASD. Thirty ASD subjects (cases) and 30 age-sex-matched healthy subjects from Baise City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, were recruited. Element analysis was carried out by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Autistic behaviors were assessed using Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS), and Children Neuropsychological and Behavior Scale (CNBS). The whole blood concentrations of Mo (p = 0.004), Cd (0.007), Sn (p = 0.003), and Pb (p = 0.037) were significantly higher in the ASD cases than in the controls. Moreover, Se (0.393), Hg (0.408), and Mn (− 0.373) concentrations were significantly correlated between whole blood and urine levels in ASD case subjects. There were significant correlations between whole blood Sb (0.406), Tl (0.365), Mo (− 0.4237), Mn (− 0.389), Zn (0.476), and Se (0.375) levels and core behaviors of ASD. Although the mechanism of trace element imbalance in ASD is unclear, these data demonstrate that core behaviors of ASD may be affected by certain trace elements. Further studies are recommended for exploring the mechanism of element imbalance and providing corresponding clinical treatment measures.

Detrimental Association Between Blood Cadmium Concentration and Trabecular Bone Score.

Osteoporosis has been recognized as a significant cause of disability in the elderly leading to heavy socioeconomic burden. Current measurements such as dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and bone mineral density (BMD) have limitations. In contrast, trabecular bone score (TBS) is an emerging tool for bone quality assessment. The objective of our study was to investigate the relationship between TBS and trace elements (cadmium and lead). We analyzed all subjects from the 2005-2006 and 2007-2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset and included a total of 8,244 participants in our study; 49.4% of the enrolled subjects were male. We used blood cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) concentrations to define environmental exposure. The main variables were TBS and BMD. Other significant demographic features were included as covariates and later adjusted using linear regression models to determine the association between TBS and four quartiles based on the blood trace element concentrations with or without sex differences. The fully adjusted regression model revealed a negative relationship between TBS and blood cadmium (B-Cd) significant for both males and females (both p < 0.05). The β-coefficient for males was -0.009 (95% confidence intervals (CI): (-0.015 to -0.004)) and -0.019 for female (95% CI: (-0.024 to -0.013)). We also found a dose-dependent relationship between TBS and B-Cd for both sexes (both trend's p < 0.05). Our study concluded that TBS could measure Cd-related bone quality deterioration for both males and females.

Accumulation of cadmium in organs of experimental animals and its effect on the content of essential elements in the chronic intoxication

Introduction. This article presents the results of studying the effects of cadmium chloride and its accumulation in experimental animals’ liver, kidneys, and blood. The impact of cadmium consumption on basic bioelements (zinc, copper, calcium) in organs was assessed. Materials and methods. Experimental groups of white outbred rats were exposed daily for three months to a cadmium chloride solution containing 1, 10 and 100 μg of cadmium. Cadmium exposure was assessed at 1, 4, 12, 30, 60 and 90 days. The concentrations of cadmium, calcium, copper and zinc were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. Results. Whole blood cadmium concentration was not statistically different from the control group. The accumulation of cadmium in the blood was observed only after three months of exposure to a dose of 100 μg. The accumulation of cadmium in the liver occurred after one and two months of intoxication, depending on the dose. In the kidneys, an increase in cadmium occurred in all experimental groups after one month of injection. The metal content depended on the level of exposure, but no difference was observed between the liver and kidney. The concentration of zinc and calcium decreased in the kidneys and liver. Conclusion. Changes in calcium and zinc, accompanied by elevated levels of cadmium in the liver and kidneys, suggest that cadmium may interfere with the biological processes in which these elements are involved.

Genotoxic Effects of Lead and Cadmium on DNA of Some Fuel Stations Workers Blood in Hilla City

The study included the genotoxic effects of lead and cadmium on DNA damage of 60 workers of some fuel stations in Hilla city. The results revealed a significant differences (P<0.05) of lead and cadmium, the concentrations of Pb+2 in blood of control (mean ±SD) was 6.3±0.41 μg/dl while in blood of workers who exposed to fuel for one year, three years and five years were significantly increased and reached (15.5±2.46, 27.4±11.6 and 44.5±17.8) μg/dl respectively. Cadmium concentrations in blood of control was nil while in workers were significantly increased (5±0.72, 12.2±2.6 and 15.3±4.21) μg/dl respectively. Damage criteria was increased significantly (P≤ 0.05) with time of exposure to fuel in comparison with control.

Association of prenatal exposure to cadmium with neurodevelopment in children at 2years of age: The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Prenatal cadmium exposure has been associated with adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. However, previous findings are contradictory, and little is known about the potential modifiers of the cadmium-related neurodevelopmental risk. We investigated the associations between prenatal cadmium exposure and neurodevelopment in 2-year-old children and examined the influence of mother/child characteristics. We recruited 3545 mother-child pairs from the Japan Environment and Children's Study. We collected maternal blood during mid/late pregnancy and cord blood at delivery, and measured cadmium concentrations using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Neurodevelopment was assessed using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological Development (KSPD), which includes cognitive-adaptive (C-A), language-social (L-S), postural-motor (P-M) and developmental quotient (DQ) domains. Associations between cadmium and KSPD scores were tested using multivariable models after controlling for confounders. Median levels (interquartile ranges) of cadmium in maternal and cord blood were 0.70 (0.52-0.95) and 0.04 (0.03-0.06) μg/L, respectively. Maternal blood cadmium concentrations were inversely associated with P-M scores in boys (β=-1.4, 95% confidence interval (CI): -2.7, -0.038), DQ in children of mothers who smoked during pregnancy (β=-2.9, 95% CI: -5.7, -0.12), P-M (β=-5.4, 95% CI: -10, -0.67), C-A (β=-6.1, 95% CI: -11, -1.8), L-S (β=-9.0, 95% CI: -13, -4.8) and DQ scores (β=-6.4, 95% CI: -9.6, -3.1) in children born to mothers with gestational diabetes. Cord blood cadmium concentrations were negatively associated with L-S scores (β=-6.0., 95% CI: -11, -0.91) in children born to mothers with gestational diabetes. Prenatal cadmium exposure was negatively associated with neurodevelopment in boys, in children whose mothers smoked, and in children born to mothers with gestational diabetes. Further studies in other populations are needed to confirm our findings.

Influence of serum ferritin combined with blood cadmium concentrations on blood pressure and hypertension: From the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BackgroundPrevious studies have suggested that cadmium (Cd) exposure and serum ferritin levels may influence the development of hypertension. ObjectiveWe evaluated whether the association between blood Cd levels and the development of hypertension could be modified by serum ferritin levels in a representative sample of the adult population of South Korea. MethodsWe used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008–2012), a nationally representative, cross-sectional, population-based study. We included 5752 adults aged 19 years and older who had records of blood Cd and ferritin levels and blood pressure measurements. Multiple logistic regression was used to examine the association between Cd exposure and the development of hypertension, as well as the modifying effects of serum ferritin. ResultsMen had higher levels of serum ferritin, and women had higher levels of Cd. Smoking in men was significantly associated with high blood pressure and risk of hypertension. Significantly fewer women were smokers, and the combination of abnormal serum ferritin levels and high Cd levels was significantly associated with high systolic blood pressure [odds ratio (OR) = 2.11; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04–4.28], high diastolic blood pressure (OR = 2.07; 95% CI = 1.04–4.12), and increased hypertension risk (OR = 1.83; 95% CI = 1.03–3.25) in women who never smoked. ConclusionsOur results provide further evidence that individuals with abnormal serum ferritin levels should limit their exposure to Cd to prevent hypertension.

The combined effects of nucleotide-binding domain-like receptor protein 3 polymorphisms and levels of blood lead on developmental delays in preschool children

Nucleotide-binding domain-like receptors protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes are associated with neuroinflammation and multiple NLRP3 genes regulate NLRP3 expression. Our study aimed to investigate the association of NLRP3 polymorphisms with developmental delay in preschool children. We also explored whether NLRP3 polymorphisms modified the effects of total urinary arsenic and blood cadmium and lead to developmental delays. A total of 178 children with developmental delays and 88 healthy children were analyzed for urinary arsenic concentrations and red blood cell lead and cadmium concentrations. We examined the genotypes of fifteen common single-nucleotide polymorphisms in NLRP3. We observed that levels of total urinary arsenic and blood lead were significantly associated with developmental delay. The NLRP3rs10754555 CG versus CC/GG, NLRP3rs12048215 AG versus AA/GG, and NLRP3rs12137901 TC/TT versus CC genotype showed a lower odds of developmental delay, with the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.38 (0.19–0.75), 0.52 (0.27–0.99), and 0.33 (0.12–0.90), respectively. Children with the NLRP3rs10754555 CC/GG genotype and high blood lead levels had a significant multiplicative interaction with developmental delay [OR (95% CI) = 9.74 (3.59–26.45)]. This study found evidence that suggested the joint effects of NLRP3rs10754555 CC/GG genotype and high blood lead levels on developmental delays.

Cadmium exposure and risk of prediabetes and diabetes: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Elevated cadmium exposure has been associated with altered glucose metabolism, albeit the shape of such relation is still debated. We aimed at investigating the shape of the relation between cadmium exposure and type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. METHODS: We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis on the relation between biomarkers of cadmium exposure and disease risk. After performing an online literature search through March 15, 2021, we identified 34 eligible studies with cohort, cross-sectional and case-control design. RESULTS:In the meta-analysis comparing highest-versus-lowest cadmium exposure, there was an increased type 2 diabetes risk, with summary risk ratios (RRs) of 1.30 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00-1.69), 1.22 (95% CI 1.00-1.50), and 1.47 (95% CI 1.01-2.13) for blood, urine, and toenail cadmium concentrations, respectively. Similarly, we found a higher prediabetes risk in subjects with higher both urine and blood cadmium concentrations with RRs of 1.41 (95% CI 1.15-1.73) and 1.38 (95% CI 1.16-1.63), respectively. In the dose-response meta-analysis, compared with no exposure, prediabetes risk increased up to approximately 2 µg Cd/g creatinine, above which it reached a plateau with RR of 1.40 (95% CI 1.12-1.76) at 2 µg Cd/g creatinine. We also detected a substantial linear positive association between diabetes risk and urinary cadmium, with RR of 1.30 (95% CI 0.92-1.84) at 2.0 µg Cd/g creatinine. Diabetes risk also appeared to increase with higher blood cadmium concentrations but only above 1 µg/L, with RR of 3.25 (95% CI 1.13-9.37) at 2 µg/L. Despite limited data, there was little indication of differences in association by study design (cohort vs. case-control or cross-sectional), method of cadmium assessment, or sex (male vs. female). CONCLUSIONS:Overall, there was consistent evidence for a positive association between cadmium exposure and both prediabetes and diabetes risk. KEYWORDS: Heavy metals, Cardiovascular diseases, Endocrine disrupting chemicals, Environmental epidemiology, Toxicology

Iron deficiency and blood cadmium concentrations in a cohort of reproductive-age women

BACKGROUND AND AIM: In reproductive-age women, iron deficiency is common. When iron stores are low, gut metal ion transporters are upregulated to increase intestinal absorption of dietary iron. However, this mechanism can also increase absorption of cadmium in the diet. METHODS: We investigated the association between iron deficiency and blood cadmium concentrations using enrollment data (years 2010-2012) from the Study of Environment, Lifestyle & Fibroids, a cohort of 1,693 Black women ages 23-35 years who reside in the Detroit, Michigan area. Since cadmium exposure from cigarette smoking occurs via inhalation and not intestinal absorption, we restricted the study population to non-pregnant, never-smokers (n=1242). Cadmium and ferritin concentrations were measured in whole blood and serum samples, respectively, from 1120 participants. We adjusted the serum ferritin concentrations using high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and the Biomarkers Reflecting Inflammation and Nutritional Determinants of Anemia (BRINDA) internal regression correction approach to account for inflammation. We defined iron deficiency as adjusted serum ferritin concentrations 15 µg/L. Multivariable linear regression was conducted to estimate the percent difference in blood cadmium concentrations in relation to iron deficiency, adjusting for age, education, and passive cigarette smoke exposure. RESULTS:The geometric mean (GM) blood cadmium concentration in our sample was 0.22 µg/L (95% CI: 0.21-0.23), similar to that reported in NHANES 2011-2012 among Black women of the same age who never smoked (GM 0.24, 95% CI: 0.22-0.27). In the study sample, 19% of participants were iron deficient (n=210). Iron deficient participants had blood cadmium concentrations that were 51% higher than those who were not iron deficient (95% CI: 39%, 64%). CONCLUSIONS:Our data suggest that iron deficiency increases cadmium body burden. The observed association aligns with our previous finding that heavy menstrual bleeding, a substantial contributor to iron deficiency, was associated with higher blood cadmium concentrations in this cohort. KEYWORDS: Heavy metals, Female, Epidemiology

Association between serum folate levels and blood concentrations of cadmium and lead in US adults.

Folate may be involved in the detoxification of heavy metals. This has been demonstrated in animal studies, in in vivo and in vitro studies, and clinical evaluations. However, knowledge regarding the associations between serum folate and blood concentrations of cadmium and lead is limited. We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum folate levels and blood concentrations of cadmium and lead in US adults. Data on 15,501 adults were obtained from the 1999-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and used for the analysis. Information on serum folate concentrations and blood levels of lead and cadmium was derived from laboratory measurements in the NHANES. Multivariable linear regression was used to examine the relationship between serum folate levels and blood concentrations of cadmium and lead in US adults, controlling for confounders. The serum folate concentration was negatively correlated with blood levels of cadmium and lead (P-trends <0.01). When stratified by sex (male and female) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR ≤60 and >60 mL/min/1.73 m2), the association between serum folate concentrations and blood levels of cadmium and lead was found to be more stable in adults with eGFR > 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, both in males and females. These findings warrant future studies to explore the mechanisms responsible for the beneficial role of folate in regulating cadmium and lead concentrations in the blood.

Interaction Between Chronic Bronchitis and Blood Cadmium Levels on the Prevalence of Myocardial Infarction in US Adults: The National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, 2005-2016.

To explore the interaction between chronic bronchitis and blood cadmium on the prevalence of myocardial infarction. We used weighted US-NHANES data. Multivariate survey logistic regression was used to examine the associations between myocardial infarction, cadmium concentration and chronic bronchitis. Adjusted odds ratios, 95% confidence intervals were computed. There was a significant interaction (OR=1.33, CI = [1.01, 1.74]) between chronic bronchitis and blood cadmium level on the presence of myocardial infarction. For 1 μg/L increase in cadmium level, people with chronic bronchitis had 1.65 (1.24 × 1.33) times the odds of having myocardial infarction, while those without chronic bronchitis would be only 1.24 times as likely having the outcome (OR = 1.24, CI = [1.05, 1.46]). Findings highlights the role of chronic bronchitis on the relationship between blood cadmium concentration and myocardial infarction. Prospective cohort designs are needed to confirm these findings.

Increased incidence of spontaneous abortions on exposure to cadmium and lead: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Spontaneous abortions are the most severe complication of early pregnancy and are a major reproductive health problem. Although this could be caused due to various cytogenetic, immunological, or endocrinological reasons, role of environmental toxicants cannot be ruled out. In order to explore the role of cadmium and lead in causing spontaneous abortions, current systematic review and meta-analysis had been carried out. Methodology Literature search was performed using appropriate keywords in PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases up to December 25 2020 according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA). Metananalysis was carried out with the help of RevMan software (version 5.3). Results Meta-analysis of nine studies on cadmium concentrations in blood of women with at least one spontaneous abortions and controls revealed standardized mean difference (SMD)=3.39, 95% CI (2.17, 4.61), with p < .05. Similarly, meta-analysis of eight studies on lead concentrations revealed standardized mean difference (SMD)=6.24, 95% CI (4.34, 8.14), with p < .05. Conclusion Populations exposed to heavy metals such as cadmium and lead are at higher risk of pregnancy loss. Therefore, couples experiencing repeated pregnancy losses may be screened for heavy metal load.

Global DNA (LINE-1) methylation is associated with lead exposure and certain job tasks performed by electronic waste workers.

This study assessed the associations between blood and urine levels of toxic metals; cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb), and methylation levels of the LINE-1 gene among e-waste and control populations in Ghana. The study enrolled 100 male e-waste workers and 51 all-male non-e-waste workers or controls. The concentrations of Cd and Pb were measured in blood and urine using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, while LINE1 methylation levels were assessed by pyrosequencing of bisulfite-converted DNA extracted from whole blood. Single and multiple metals linear regression models were used to determine the associations between metals and LINE1 DNA methylation. Blood lead (BPb) and urine lead (UPb) showed higher median concentrations among the e-waste workers than the controls (76.82µg/L vs 40.25µg/L, p ≤ 0.001; and 6.89µg/L vs 3.43µg/L, p ≤ 0.001, respectively), whereas blood cadmium (BCd) concentration was lower in the e-waste workers compared to the controls (0.59µg/L vs 0.81µg/L, respectively, p = 0.003). There was no significant difference in LINE1 methylation between the e-waste and controls (85.16 ± 1.32% vs 85.17 ± 1.11%, p = 0.950). In our single metal linear regression models, BPb was significantly inversely associated with LINE1 methylation in the control group (βBPb = -0.027, 95% CI -0.045, -0.010, p = 0.003). In addition, a weak association between BPb and LINE1 was observed in the multiple metals analysis in the e-waste worker group (βBPb = -0.005, 95% CI -0.011, 0.000, p = 0.058). Continuous Pb exposure may interfere with LINE1 methylation, leading to epigenetic alterations, thus serving as an early epigenetic marker for future adverse health outcomes.

Associations between blood cadmium and endocrine features related to PCOS-phenotypes in healthy women of reproductive age: a prospective cohort study

BackgroundCadmium is an endocrine disrupting chemical that affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Though evidence suggests its potential role in altering androgen synthesis and metabolic pathways that are characteristic of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), its relation in healthy women of reproductive age is largely unknown. As women with mild sub-clinical features of PCOS who do not meet the diagnostic criteria of PCOS may still experience reduced fecundability, investigating associations between cadmium and PCOS-phenotypes among healthy women may provide unique insight into the reproductive implications for many on the PCOS spectrum. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate associations between cadmium and androgens, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), and metabolic markers in women of reproductive age.MethodsThis was a prospective cohort study of 251 healthy premenopausal women without self-reported PCOS (mean age 27.3 years and BMI 24.1 kg/m2). Cadmium was measured in blood collected at baseline. Reproductive hormones and metabolic markers were measured in fasting serum 8 times per menstrual cycle for 2 cycles. Linear mixed models and Poisson regression with a robust error variance were used to examine associations between cadmium and reproductive hormones and metabolic markers and anovulation, respectively.ResultsMedian (interquartile range) blood cadmium concentrations at baseline were 0.30 (0.19–0.43) µg/L. Higher levels of testosterone (2.2 %, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.4, 4.1), sex hormone-binding globulin (2.9 %, 95 % CI 0.5, 5.5), and AMH (7.7 %, 95 % CI 1.1, 14.9) were observed per 0.1 µg/L increase in cadmium concentrations. An 18 % higher probability of a mild PCOS-phenotype (95 % CI 1.06, 1.31), defined by a menstrual cycle being in the highest quartile of cycle-averaged testosterone and AMH levels, was also found per 0.1 µg/L increase in cadmium levels. No associations were observed for insulin and glucose. These findings were consistent even after analyses were restricted to non-smokers or further adjusted for dietary factors to account for potential sources of exposure.ConclusionsOverall, among healthy reproductive-aged women, cadmium was associated with endocrine features central to PCOS, but not with metabolic markers. These suggest its potential role in the hormonal milieu associated with PCOS even at low levels of exposure.

Joint Effect of Alcohol Drinking and Environmental Cadmium Exposure on Hypertension in Korean Adults: Analysis of Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2008 to 2013.

Hypertension is a common disease found in 1.13 billion adults worldwide. Several animal studies have provided evidence of the joint effect of alcohol drinking and cadmium exposure on hypertension. However, no epidemiologic study has examined the association between these 2 risk factors and hypertension. Therefore, we examined the individual effects of alcohol drinking and cadmium and the joint effect of their coexposure on hypertension in the general population. We analyzed data from 8,403 South Korean adults who had been randomly assigned to the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 to 2013. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the association of alcohol drinking and blood cadmium concentration with blood pressure and the odds ratio (OR) for hypertension. The weighted prevalence of hypertension and high-risk drinking was 25.7 and 13.6%, respectively. The weighted geometric mean of blood cadmium levels was 0.94μg/L (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.93 to 0.96). After adjusting for demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, health-related behaviors, and dietary and disease variables, the OR for hypertension in the group with the high-risk alcohol drinking was 1.67 (95% CI: 1.34 to 2.06) compared with the group without high-risk alcohol drinking. When the highest and the lowest blood cadmium quartiles were compared, the OR for hypertension was 1.46 (95% CI: 1.15 to 1.86). The positive joint effect of high-risk drinking and blood cadmium levels was statistically significant for systolic blood pressure (SBP; p=0.037) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP; p<0.001). Our results show that heavy alcohol drinking had a joint effect with cadmium exposure to increase the risk of hypertension. Future efforts are needed to reduce alcohol drinking and environmental cadmium exposure to prevent hypertension in the general population.

Associations between concentrations of selected perfluoroalkyl acids and concentrations of blood cadmium, lead, and total mercury.

Data (N = 2552) from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for US adults aged ≥ 20 years for 2011-2016 were analyzed to estimate the associations between the concentrations of blood cadmium, lead, and total mercury and the concentrations of seven perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAA), namely, 2-(N-Methyl-perfluorooctane sulfonamido) acetic acid (MPAH), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA), perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Concentrations of blood cadmium were negatively associated with the concentrations of PFHxS (β = - 0.05428, p < 0.01) and PFOS (β = - 0.0212, p = 0.02). Concentrations of blood lead were positively associated with the concentrations of MPAH (β = 0.03301, p < 0.01), PFOA (β = 0.04783, p = 0.01), PFNA (β = 0.11761, p < 0.01), PFDA (β = 0.08007, p < 0.01), PFUA (β = 0.11382, p < 0.01), and PFOS (β = 0.04996, p = 0.02). Percent increases in the concentration of blood lead were 0.32%, 0.46%, 1.13%, 0.77%, 1.09%, and 0.48% for 10% increases in the concentrations of MPAH, PFOA, PFNA, PFDA, PFUA, and PFOS, respectively. Concentrations of blood total mercury were positively associated with the concentrations of PFNA (β = 0.37105, p < 0.01), PFDA (β = 0.46875, p < 0.01), PFUA (β = 0.56934, p < 0.01), and PFOS (β = 0.17557, p < 0.01). Percent increases in the concentration of blood total mercury were 3.6%, 4.57%, 5.58%, and 1.69% for 10% increases in the concentrations of PFNA, PFDA, PFUA, and PFOS, respectively. Associations between the concentrations of PFAAs with blood total mercury were substantially stronger than the concentrations with blood lead. Higher the carbon chain length for PFAAs, stronger were the associations between PFAAs with lead and mercury.