Effects Of Nickel Exposure Research Articles

Association between nickel exposure and body compositions in the United States: a population-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundIncreasing body fat or decreasing muscle and bone mass were associated with worse health outcomes in the adult population. The effects of nickel exposure on body composition are not known. The aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between urinary nickel levels and body compositions.Materials and methodsTwo thousand seven hundred sixty-two participants were included in the analysis from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys of 2017–2018 after excluding participants who have missing data on urinary nickel and those with missing all body mass component data. We used weighted generalized linear models to explore the relationship between urinary nickel and body mass components under interpolating missing covariable values. Simultaneously, sensitivity analyses and subgroup analysis were conducted to verify stability of analysis result. Curve fitting and saturation effect analysis were used to explore the possible nonlinear relationship between urine nickel and body compositions.ResultsAmong the 2,762 participants, the average urinary nickel level was 1.58 ug/L. The weighted generalized linear models, the sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses found no significant linear relationship between urinary nickel and body compositions. For body weight, BMI, TLM, ALM, TRF, TOF and BMC, the urine nickel saturation effect values were 0.76, 0.74, 0.5, 0.67, 0.64, 0.48, and 0.45 ug/L, respectively. For each 1 ug/L rise in urinary nickel levels at levels below the turning point, body weight increases (β = 9.06, 95% CI = 2.75, 15.36, p = 0.01), BMI increases (β = 3.20, 95% CI = 1.36, 5.05, p = < 0.001), TLM decreases (β = -47.39, 95% CI = -97.38, 2.59, p = 0.06), ALM decreases (β = -37.25, 95% CI = -63.25, -11.24, p = 0.01), TRF increases (β = 20.68, 95% CI = 1.50, 39.86, p = 0.03), TOF increases (β = 57.92, 95% CI = -0.12, 115.95, p = 0.05), and BMC decreases (β = -6.84, 95% CI = -12.64, -1.04, p = 0.02).ConclusionsIn summary, our study demonstrated that a dose–response relationship exists between urinary nickel and body compositions, with a low inflection point level of urinary nickel for the saturation effect.

The Effect of Nickel Exposure on Oxidative Stress of Vicia faba Plants.

Heavy metal contamination is a serious threat for terrestrial ecosystems. Thus, they could be accumulated in living organisms leading consequently to harmful consequences. In this context, the present work aims to evaluate the effects of four increasing Nickel (Ni) nominal concentrations (T: 0mg/kg, C1: 150mg/kg, C2: 250mg/kg, C3: 500mg/kg) on agronomic and biochemical parameters in bean (Vicia faba) plants. The measured exposure concentrations were in the range of 96.69%-104.18% of the nominal concentrations. Bean's responses were evaluated at biometric levels, chlorophyll content and biochemical parameters namely catalase glutation-S-transferase activities and malondialdehyde content, in booth parts of plants. Our data revealed a marked negative effect of Ni exposure on bean plant development and chlorophyll content. Biochemical biomarkers reported that plants anti-oxidative defense system has been significantly affected specially in roots at the high Ni concentration. Briefly, resistance mechanisms of Vicia faba to Ni seem to imply an activation of the antioxidant system and a limitation of the reactive oxygen species.

Effects of nickel exposure on testicular function, oxidative stress, and male reproductive dysfunction in Spodoptera litura Fabricius

Nickel is an environmental pollutant that adversely affects the male reproductive system. In the present study, the effects of nickel exposure on Spodoptera litura Fabricius were investigated by feeding larvae artificial diets containing different doses of nickel for three generations. Damage to testes and effects on male reproduction were examined. The amount of nickel that accumulated in the testes of newly emerged males increased as the nickel dose in the diet increased during a single generation. Nickel exposure increased the amount of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and decreased the amount of glutathione in treatment groups compared with the control. The activity levels of the antioxidant response indices superoxide dismutases, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in the testes showed variable dose-dependent relationships with nickel doses and duration of exposure. Nickel doses also disrupted the development of the testes by decreasing the weight and volume of testes and the number of eupyrene and apyrene sperm bundles in treatment groups compared with the control. When the nickel-treated males mated with normal females, fecundity was inhibited by the higher nickel doses in all three generations, but fecundity significantly increased during the second generation, which received 5 mg kg−1 nickel. Hatching rates in all treatments significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner in the three successive generations. The effects of nickel on these parameters correlated with the duration of nickel exposure. Results indicate assays of testes may be a novel and efficient means of evaluating the effects of heavy metals on phytophagous insects in an agricultural environment.

Effects of nickel exposure and acute pesticide intoxication on acetylcholinesterase, catalase and glutathione S-transferase activity and glucose absorption in the digestive tract of Helix aspersa (Pulmonata, Helicidae)

The activity of detoxifying enzymes and glucose absorption were measured in the digestive tract of Helix aspersa exposed to nickel. Nickel decreased CAT activity and, in the lower concentration, inhibited intestinal absorption of glucose. Elevated AChE activity and unchanged GST activity indicate diversity in enzymatic response to nickel. Nickel at higher concentration, destroying the intestinal wall integrity, caused high glucose influx. Nickel pre-treatment augmented the response to a single diazinon application. AChE activity was greatly reduced compared with nickel-untreated snails. The reduction in CAT activity was similar in both groups. Glucose absorption remained unchanged.

Relationship between Nickel Exposure and the Level of Carcinoembryonic Antigen among Welders in an Automotive Plant

Background: Study on the effect of nickel exposure in the occupational setting and its association to carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) had been studied before. Questions were raised whether the result from previous study would also show the same pattern of the urinary nickel concentration in this study. Objective: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the association between urine nickel concentration and CEA level among welders in automotive part workers in Malaysia. Methodology: There were 56 welders and 44 administrative workers were recruited in this study. Urine and blood samples were collected at the end of shift towards the end of workweek. CEA was assayed in serum using TECO Diagnostic ELISA Kit. Urinary nickel was determined by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. Results: The mean carcinoembryonic antigen concentrations of the exposed group (4.07±2.60 ng mL-1) was significantly higher (p<0.001) than the control group (1.99±0.97 ng mL-1). Twenty seven percent of the exposed group showed values above the reference range. The mean urinary nickel level was also significantly higher (p<0.001) in the exposed group (1.99±0.91 mg L-1) than the control group. Result showed correlation between serum carcinoembryonic antigen concentration and urinary nickel concentration (r = 0.206). Conclusion: The significant elevation of urinary nickel levels in the welders compared with controls suggests that the welders were exposed to nickel fumes during welding. It is suggested that elevation of serum carcinoembryonic antigen was due to exposure to nickel during welding processes after controlling other confounding factors.

Effect of nickel exposure on serum amylase activity in nickel-plating workers

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of nickel (Ni) exposure on serum amylase activity in nickel-plating workers in Bangalore (India). Sixty-nine subjects using Ni during the electroplating process formed the exposed group. An equal number of age- and sex-matched subjects working in the administration section formed the control group. Urine Ni levels were determined using a flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum amylase activity was determined using spectrophotometric method with 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl-α-D-maltotrioside as substrate. A significant increase in urine Ni and serum amylase activity was noted in nickel platers as compared with the control group. The level of serum amylase activity was positively and significantly associated with Ni content in urine of nickel platers. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to assess the effects of Ni exposure, life style confounding factors and presence of gastrointestinal problems on serum amylase activity. The analysis showed that the subjects who had urine Ni levels beyond 10 µg g−1 of creatinine, nickel platers category, smoking and body mass index variables were significantly associated with serum amylase activity. The results of this study suggest that the increased serum amylase activity observed in nickel-exposed subjects could be used as a biomarker for investigating pancreatic function in Ni exposure.

Human leukocyte cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP levels during chemotaxis in delayed type hypersensitivity.

Ten nickel-allergic patients and six healthy control subjects participated in a study of the morphology, kinetics and evolution of the cAMP and cGMP concentrations of migrated leukocytes, using an improved skin chamber technique. Also studied was the effect of nickel exposure in the chamber medium during development of an eczematous reaction in the nickel-allergic patients. Nickel exposure had a specific effect on the morphology, from the 24th hour to the end of the 48 h observation period, with a significant increase in the percentages of basophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes and a decrease of neutrophils. A significantly increased leukocyte migration rate (LMR) was observed from the 27th to 39th hour in six of the allergic patients exposed to nickel. There were no specific permanent changes in cAMP and cGMP concentrations during nickel exposure. The control chambers of the allergic patients and healthy controls had identical leukocyte morphology, LMR and leukocyte concentrations of cAMP and cGMP. However, no correlations were found between LMR, cAMP and cGMP in the eczema patients throughout the observation period.