Higher Blood Cadmium Levels Research Articles

Global DNA methylation and the association between metal exposure and chronic kidney disease.

Prior studies indicate that exposure to metals may alter DNA methylation. Evidence also shows that global DNA methylation is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aimed to examine the association between CKD and 5-methyl-2-deoxycytidine (5mdC, %), a marker of global DNA methylation, and to evaluate the interaction between metal exposures and 5mdC (%) on CKD. We also explored the mediation effect of 5mdC (%) on the association between metal exposures and renal function (i.e., estimated glomerular filtration rate, eGFR). A total of 218 CKD patients and 422 controls were recruited in this case-control study. 5mdC (%), concentrations of blood lead and cadmium, plasma selenium, and total urinary arsenic were measured. CKD cases were clinically defined among patients with eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 for at least 3 months and without hemodialysis. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were estimated by logistic regression models to examine the association between metal exposures, 5mdC (%), and CKD, adjusted for confounders. Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine associations between metal exposures, 5mdC (%), and eGFR. CKD cases compared to controls had 6.06-fold (95% CI: 3.11-11.81) higher odds of having high blood cadmium and high 5mdC (%) levels. A positive interaction on an additive scale was identified between blood cadmium and 5mdC (%) on CKD. Cases compared to controls had 4.73-fold (95% CI: 2.65-8.45) higher odds of having low plasma selenium and high 5mdC (%) levels; and a significant multiplicative interaction between plasma selenium and 5mdC (%) on CKD was observed. In addition, we found that blood lead and cadmium concentrations were positively associated, while plasma selenium concentrations were inversely associated, with 5mdC (%). The associations of blood lead and plasma selenium with eGFR were partially mediated by 5mdC (%). Our results suggest that 5mdC (%) may interact with plasma selenium and blood cadmium to influence the risk of CKD. The 5mdC (%) also potentially mediates the associations between exposure to metals and renal function.

Dietary education may reduce blood cadmium and mercury levels in chronic kidney disease patients with higher blood cadmium and mercury levels

Background: Exposure to cadmium and mercury is associated with renal dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the possible ability of dietary education to decrease blood cadmium and mercury levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).Methods: Twenty-seven patients with CKD were enrolled in this prospective, single-arm pilot study. Patients with blood cadmium levels ≥1.4 μg/L were instructed to reduce their intake of shellfish, while those with blood mercury levels ≥5.0 μg/L were asked to reduce their intake of externally blue-colored fish.Results: Seven dialysis patients and 15 pre-dialysis patients completed the study. Compared with baseline, the blood cadmium (2.0±0.7 μg/L vs. 1.8±0.7 μg/L, p=0.031) and mercury levels (4.4±2.6 μg/L vs. 3.5±1.9 μg/L, p=0.005) after 1 year significantly decreased, although the dietary intake was not significantly different in patients with blood cadmium levels ≥1.4 μg/L and blood mercury levels ≥5.0 μg/L. In pre-dialysis patients, kidney function worsened after 1 year compared with that at baseline despite the reduction in blood cadmium and mercury levels.Conclusions: Reduction of food intake containing cadmium and mercury may lower the blood cadmium and mercury levels in CKD patients with higher cadmium and mercury levels. Higher blood cadmium levels may cause renal disease progression in pre-dialysis patients, and further studies are necessary to determine the underlying mechanisms.

Association between Serum Iron, Blood Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Selenium, Manganese and Low Cognitive Performance in Old Adults from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES): A Cross-Sectional Study.

Cognitive decline is a public health problem for the world's aging population. This study was to evaluate the relationships between serum iron, blood lead, cadmium, mercury, selenium, and manganese and cognitive decline in elderly Americans. Data of this cross-sectional study was extracted from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES 2011-2014). Cognitive performance was measured by the consortium to establish a registry for Alzheimer's disease (CERAD), Animal fluency, and digit symbol substitution test (DSST) tests. Weighted univariable and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations between six trace elements and low cognitive performance, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses based on diabetes and hypertension history were further assess the associations. A total of 2,002 adults over 60 years old were included. After adjusting covariates, elevated serum iron levels were associated with the decreased risk of low cognitive performance (OR=0.995, 95%CI: 0.990-0.999), as well as in the elderly without diabetes history (OR=0.992, 95%CI: 0.988-0.997) and with hypertension history (OR=0.993, 95%CI: 0.988-0.997) in the Animal Fluency test. High blood cadmium and blood manganese levels were associated with the odds of low cognitive performance in old adults with diabetes (OR=2.900, 95%CI: 1.311-6.417) and hypertension (OR=1.037, 95%CI: 1.009-1.066) history, respectively. In the DSST test, high blood lead levels were related to the odds of low cognitive performance (OR=1.102, 95%CI: 1.019-1.192), as well as in the elderly without diabetes (OR=1.126, 95%CI: 1.026-1.235) and hypertension (OR=1.121, 95%CI: 1.002-1.255) history. Elevated blood cadmium levels were connected with low cognitive performance in diabetic (OR=3.177, 95%CI: 1.323-7.27) and hypertensive (OR=1.896, 95%CI: 1.056-3.403) old people. High blood selenium levels were linked to the decreased risk of low cognitive performance in all the elderly (OR=0.987, 95%CI: 0.981-0.993). Appropriate iron, selenium supplementation and iron-, selenium-rich foods intake, while reducing exposure to lead, cadmium and manganese may be beneficial for cognitive function in the elderly.

Possible Combined Effects of Plasma Folate Levels, Global DNA Methylation, and Blood Cadmium Concentrations on Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Epigenetic effects of environmental pollutants may be related to carcinogenesis. This study aimed to explore the association between the global DNA methylation marker: 5-methyl-2-deoxycytidine (5mdC) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and further investigated whether plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels and 5mdC modified the association between blood cadmium concentrations and RCC. We recruited 174 RCC patients and 673 non-RCC controls. Blood cadmium concentrations, plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels were measured. The amount of 5mdC in the DNA sample was expressed as percentages of the total cytosine content. An increase of 5mdC (%) and plasma folate and vitamin B12 levels were associated with decreasing odds ratio (OR) of RCC. Although plasma folate levels were not directly associated with 5mdC (%), a combined effect was observed with the odds of low plasma folate levels and low 5mdC (%) were greater among RCC patients compared to controls (OR (95% confidence interval, CI) = 11.86 (5.27-26.65)). Additionally, we observed that the odds of low plasma folate and high blood cadmium levels were greater among RCC patients than in controls (OR (95% CI): 8.15 (1.39-7.13)). This study provides suggestive evidence that plasma folate levels may modify the associations between 5mdC (%) or blood cadmium concentrations and RCC.

The effect of blood cadmium levels on hypertension in male firefighters in a metropolitan city.

This study investigated the effect of dispatch frequency on blood cadmium levels and the effect of blood cadmium levels on hypertension in male firefighters in a metropolitan city. We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study of male firefighters who completed the regular health checkups, including a health examination survey and blood cadmium measurements. We followed them for 3 years. To investigate the effect of dispatch frequency on blood cadmium levels and the effect of blood cadmium levels on hypertension, we estimated the short-term (model 1) and long-term (model 2) effects of exposure and hypothesized a reversed causal pathway model (model 3) for sensitivity analysis. Sequential conditional mean models were fitted using generalized estimating equations, and the odds ratios (ORs) and the respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for hypertension for log-transformed (base 2) blood cadmium levels and quartiles. Using the lowest category of dispatch frequency as a reference, we observed that the highest category showed an increase in blood cadmium levels of 1.879 (95% CI: 0.673, 3.086) μg/dL and 0.708 (95% CI: 0.023, 1.394) μg/dL in models 2 and 3, respectively. In addition, we observed that doubling the blood cadmium level significantly increased the odds of hypertension in model 1 (OR: 1.772; 95% CI: 1.046, 3.003) and model 3 (OR: 4.288; 95% CI: 1.110, 16.554). Using the lowest quartile of blood cadmium levels as a reference, the highest quartile showed increased odds of hypertension in model 1 (OR: 2.968; 95% CI: 1.121, 7.861) and model 3 (OR: 33.468; 95% CI: 1.881, 595.500). We found that dispatch frequency may affect blood cadmium levels in male firefighters, and high blood cadmium levels may influence hypertension in a dose-response manner.

Environmental chemicals and cross-sectional cognition among adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Cognitive impairment among older adults is a growing public health challenge and environmental chemicals may be modifiable risk factors. A wide array of chemicals has not been tested for association with cognition in an environment-wide association framework. METHODS: In the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2002 and 2011-2014 cross-sectional cycles, cognition was assessed using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST, scores 0-117) among participants 60 years of age and older. Concentrations of environmental chemicals were measured in blood or urine. Chemicals with at least 50% of measures greater than the limit of detection were included (nchemicals=124, nclasses=16). We tested for differences in cognition by natural log transformed concentration of each chemical using parallel multivariable linear regression models accounting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and educational attainment. We calculated false discovery rates (FDR). RESULTS:Participants with complete cognition/demographic measures and at least one chemical measure (n=5,670) were mean age 70.3 years, 51% female, 43.7% college educated, and 53.2% non-Hispanic White. The mean DSST score was 43.6 (18.1 standard deviation) and 24.2% were cognitively impaired (DSST28). In adjusted analyses, 75% higher lipid adjusted blood concentration of the pesticide DDT was associated with 1.4 points lower DSST score (95% Confidence interval (CI):-2.1,-0.7, FDR:0.0001). Similarly, 75% higher heptachlor concentration was associated with 0.9 points lower DSST score (95%CI:-1.6,-0.1, FDR:0.02). For metals, we observed 75% higher blood cadmium levels were associated with 0.7 points lower DSST score (95%CI:-1.1,-0.4, FDR:5*10-5) and 75% higher blood lead levels were associated with 0.6 points lower DSST score (95%CI:-0.9,-0.2, FRD:0.002). Among perfluoroalkyl substances, 75% higher urinary concentration of perfluoroundecanoic acid was associated with 0.5 points lower DSST score (95%CI:-1.0,0.07, FDR: 0.09). CONCLUSIONS:Exposure to environmental chemicals, particularly pesticides and metals, may be modifiable factors for reduced cognition among older adults. KEYWORDS: cognition, exposome, environment-wide association study, dementia

Exposure to Cadmium, Lead, and Tobacco Smoke and the 10-Year Cumulative Incidence of Olfactory Impairment

Olfactory impairment is common in older adults. Identification of modifiable risk factors for olfactory impairment at midlife has the potential to reduce the burden of olfactory impairment at older ages. To determine the 10-year cumulative incidence of olfactory impairment and evaluate potentially modifiable risk factors for impairment including exposure to cadmium, lead, and tobacco smoke. Data from the Beaver Dam Offspring Study, a longitudinal cohort study of sensory health and aging in a general population, were available from examinations at baseline (2005-2008), 5 years (2010-2013), and 10 (2015-2017) years. A total of 2312 participants without olfactory impairment at baseline and with olfaction data available at the 5- and/or 10-year examination were included. The present study was conducted from April 28, 2020, to January 8, 2021. Olfactory impairment was measured by the San Diego Odor Identification Test. Cox discrete-time proportional hazards analyses were used to model associations between baseline covariates, including blood cadmium and lead levels and tobacco smoke exposure, and the 10-year cumulative incidence of olfactory impairment. Of the 2312 participants, 1269 (54.9%) were women; mean age was 49 years (range, 22-84 years) at baseline. The 10-year cumulative incidence of olfactory impairment was 4.6% (95% CI, 3.7%-5.6%) and increased with age. Because of high collinearity, cadmium and tobacco smoke exposure were modeled separately. In a multivariable adjusted model, higher blood cadmium level (hazard ratio [HR], 1.70; 95% CI, 1.05-2.74) was associated with the 10-year cumulative incidence of olfactory impairment. Substituting tobacco smoke exposure for cadmium in the model, high exposure to tobacco smoke as a current smoker (HR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.63-5.29, smoker vs no exposure) or from environmental tobacco smoke (HR, 2.65; 95% CI, 1.24-5.63, high vs no exposure) was also associated with an increased risk for developing olfactory impairment. Blood lead levels were not associated with olfactory impairment. Results of this longitudinal cohort study suggest that modifiable environmental exposures may contribute to olfactory impairment that occurs with aging. Identification of modifiable risk factors for olfactory impairment may lead to prevention strategies that have the potential to reduce the burden of olfactory impairment at older ages.

The Correlation Between Heavy Metal Cadmium and the Prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: This study aims to analyze the blood cadmium level and prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the general population and explore the correlation between blood cadmium levels and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods: From February to December 2017, a multistage, random cluster sampling method was adopted to conduct this cross-sectional epidemiological survey of permanent residents aged &gt;18 years in Nanchang, Jiangxi province (including one urban area, Changdong district and one county, Jinxing county). Blood cadmium levels and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the population were analyzed, and the correlation between blood cadmium levels and the incidence of type 2 diabetes was analyzed. Results: The average blood cadmium content of the population in Nanchang (Changdong town, Jinxian county) was 2.91 ± 0.08 ug/L, and the prevalence of type 2 diabetes was 9.2%. The average blood cadmium content of the population in Jinxian county was higher than that of the population of the Changdong district. The results of multivariate regression analysis indicate that high blood cadmium levels are a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Conclusions: Elevated levels of cadmium in human blood may be a risk factor for type 2 diabetes.

Higher blood cadmium level is associated with greater cognitive decline in rural Chinese adults aged 65 or older

Cadmium (Cd) exposure has been reported to have neurotoxic effects in animal studies and associated with increased Alzheimer's Disease mortality and lower cognitive function in cross-sectional and case-control studies. However, no results from longitudinal studies on Cd and cognitive decline are available. In this prospective cohort study, we recruited 1867 participants aged 65 years or older from rural areas in China, blood Cd and cognitive function were measured at baseline (2010−2012), and 1554 participants completed cognitive function tests during a 3-year follow-up (2013–2015). Cognitive function was evaluated using nine standardized cognitive tests: The Community Screening Instrument for Dementia, the CERAD Word List Learning, Word list recall, IU Story Recall, Animal Fluency Test, Boston Naming Test, Stick Design, Delayed Stick Design and the IU Token Test. Analysis of covariance models and logistic regression models were used to determine the association between Cd and standardized cognitive decline adjusting for covariates. The median blood Cd concentration of this study population was 2.12 μg/L, and the interquartile range was 1.42–4.64 μg/L. Significant association of higher Cd levels with lower cognitive scores were observed in five individual cognitive tests (Delayed Stick Design Test, Boston Naming Test, CERAD Word List Learning Test, Word List Recall Test and IU Story Recall Test) and the composite cognitive score adjusting for multi-covariates at baseline. Higher Cd levels were significantly associated with greater 3-year cognitive decline in Delayed Stick Design Test, Boston Naming Test, IU Token Test, Word List Recall Test and Composite cognitive score. For these cognitive tests, participants in the top two Cd quartile groups had significantly greater decline than those in the lowest Cd quartile group, while the two lowest Cd quartile groups were not significantly different. Our findings suggest that higher Cd exposure is associated with greater cognitive decline in older Chinese adults.

Association of blood lead and cadmium levels with the age of menarche and menopause using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Background Heavy metal accumulation in the body can cause many health problems, among them lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are well-known as reprotoxic substances. However, very limited information has been reported exposure to environmental heavy metals directly affects reproductive life span of female. This study aimed to investigate the association between exposure to environmental lead and cadmium and the age at menarche and menopause of the general population in South Korea.Methods We selected subjects among 22,629 females who participated in the 2010~2017 (exclude 2014, 2015) Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We calculated odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval of proportion of the girls who started their menarche and women who stepped into the menopause stage by continuous levels of blood lead and cadmium and quartiles of them.Results The geometric mean (GM) of blood lead and cadmium levels were 1.02 µg/dL and 0.28 µg/L (10~15 years of age 516 girls), respectively. And the GM of blood lead and cadmium levels were 1.85 µg/dL and 1.33 µg/L (46~55 years of age 1,004 women), respectively. In adjusted logistic regression models, as the blood lead levels increased, the proportion of the menarche has significantly decreased [OR=0.24 (0.09, 0.64)]. On the other side, the proportion of the menopause has significantly increased [OR=4.51 (2.52, 8.06)]. In addition, as the blood cadmium levels increased, the proportion of the menarche has significantly increased [OR=2.78 (1.31, 5.94)], and proportion of the menopause stage has significantly decreased [OR=0.43 (0.27, 0.70)].Conclusions Our results suggested two novel insights. Firstly, higher blood lead levels could delay menarche and cause early menopause. Secondly, higher blood cadmium levels could cause early menarche and delay menopause. Consequently, exposure to environmental lead and cadmium may affects reproductive life span of female.

Association of Blood Cadmium with Cardiovascular Disease in Korea: From the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2013 and 2016.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally, although the mortality rate has declined with improved technology and risk factor control. The incidence rate of stroke, one of the CVDs, is increasing in young adults, whereas it is decreasing in the elderly. The risk factors for CVD may differ between young adults and the elderly. Previous studies have suggested that cadmium was a potential CVD risk factor in the overall and middle-aged to elderly populations. We assessed the associations between cadmium and CVD events in the Korean population aged 20–59 years using the 2008–2013 and 2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), a population-based cross-sectional study. Among 10,626 participants aged 20–59 years, those with high blood cadmium (BCd) level (>1.874 µg/L, 90th percentile) were higher associated with stroke and hypertension (stroke: odds ratio (OR), 2.39; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.03–5.56; hypertension: OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.20–1.76). The strongest association between high blood cadmium concentrations and hypertension was among current smokers. Ischemic heart disease (IHD) was not associated with high blood cadmium level. These findings suggest that high blood cadmium levels may be associated with prevalent stroke and hypertension in the Korean population under 60 years of age.

Blood lead and cadmium levels in preschool children and associated risk factors in São Paulo, Brazil

In Brazil, there are scarce data on lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) contamination, especially for more vulnerable populations such as preschool children. In this paper, we answer two questions: (1) What are the exposure levels of lead and cadmium in preschool children, in Sao Paulo, Brazil? and (2) What are the risk factors associated with this exposure? This cross-sectional study included 50 day care centers (DCCs), totaling 2463 children aged 1–4 years. Venous blood samples were analyzed by ICP-MS. Questionnaires were administered to the parents. Multiple logistic regression models were used to identify associations between blood lead levels (BLLs) and blood cadmium levels (BCLs) and potential risk factors. The geometric mean for BLLs was 2.16 μg/dL (95% CI: 2.10–2.22 μg/dL), and the 97.5th percentile was 13.9 μg/dL (95% CI: 10.0–17.3 μg/dL). For cadmium exposure, the geometric mean for BCLs was 0.48 μg/L (95% CI: 0.47–0.50 μg/L), and the 95th percentile was 2.57 μg/L (95% CI: 2.26–2.75 μg/L). The DCCs’ geographic region was associated with high BLLs and BCLs, indicating hot spots for lead and cadmium exposures. In addition, it was found that the higher the vehicles flow, the higher were the BLLs in children. Red lead in household gates was also an important risk factor for lead exposure. Comparing these results with the findings of the Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals by CDC-2013, it was found that in Brazilian preschool children the BLLs are almost three times higher (97.5th percentile) and the BCLs are almost twelve times higher (95th percentile) than those in U.S. children. This information is essential to formulate public health policies.

Effects of Cadmium Exposure on DNA Methylation at Imprinting Control Regions and Genome-Wide in Mothers and Newborn Children.

Background:Imprinted genes are defined by their preferential expression from one of the two parental alleles. This unique mode of gene expression is dependent on allele-specific DNA methylation profiles established at regulatory sequences called imprinting control regions (ICRs). These loci have been used as biosensors to study how environmental exposures affect methylation and transcription. However, a critical unanswered question is whether they are more, less, or equally sensitive to environmental stressors as the rest of the genome.Objectives:Using cadmium exposure in humans as a model, we aimed to determine the relative sensitivity of ICRs to perturbation of methylation compared to similar, nonimprinted loci in the genome.Methods:We assayed DNA methylation genome-wide using bisulfite sequencing of 19 newborn cord blood and 20 maternal blood samples selected on the basis of maternal blood cadmium levels. Differentially methylated regions (DMRs) associated with cadmium exposure were identified.Results:In newborn cord blood and maternal blood, 641 and 1,945 cadmium-associated DMRs were identified, respectively. DMRs were more common at the 15 maternally methylated ICRs than at similar nonimprinted loci in newborn cord blood () and maternal blood (), suggesting a higher sensitivity for ICRs to cadmium. Genome-wide, Enrichr analysis indicated that the top three functional categories for genes that overlapped DMRs in maternal blood were body mass index (BMI) (), blood pressure (), and body weight (). In newborn cord blood, the top three functional categories were BMI, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension, although associations were not significant after correction for multiple testing (). These findings suggest that epigenetic changes may contribute to the etiology of cadmium-associated diseases.Conclusions:We analyzed cord blood and maternal blood DNA methylation profiles genome-wide at nucleotide resolution in individuals selected for high and low blood cadmium levels in the first trimester. Our findings suggest that ICRs may be hot spots for perturbation by cadmium, motivating further study of these loci to investigate potential mechanisms of cadmium action. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP2085

Relation Between Lung Dysfunction and Blood Cadmium and Lead Levels Among Welders

Although welding is an industrial process with well-known health effects, the effects of heavy metal exposure on the respiratory system during welding are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the correlation between blood lead and cadmium levels, and respiratory function among welders. The study investigates 207 male subjects who applied to Occupational Disease Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. These subjects were categorized into three groups: one, non-smoker office workers; and two exposed, non-smoker groups (n = 96) that comprised welders who had history of metal fume exposure for less and more than 4 h a day. Lung function test was performed on all groups. Correlations between blood cadmium and lead levels and lung function test were evaluated statistically. Forced vital capacity (FVC) % and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) % increased, and FEV1/FVC ratio decreased in welders who were exposed to metal fumes for less than 4 h a day (p < 0.0001). The group that was exposed for more than 4 h/day had increased FVC % and decreased FEV1 % and FEV1/FVC ratio (p < 0.0001). Blood cadmium and lead levels were high in both the exposed groups (p < 0.0001). Welders who were exposed for more than 4 h/day had significantly decreased FVC %, FEV1 %, FEV1/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow (PEF) values (p < 0.0001). All lung function parameters (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF) decreased in subjects with high blood cadmium levels (p < 0.0001). This study clearly shows the increased working hours of exposure to welding fumes and severity of metal exposure correlate with impaired lung functions.

Blood cadmium levels associated with short distant metastasis-free survival time in invasive breast cancer.

Distant metastasis is strongly associated with poor prognosis of breast cancer. Cadmium (Cd) exposure was previously found associated with breast cancer incidence. We explored the associations of blood cadmium levels (BCLs) and clinicopathologic characteristics with invasive breast cancer distant metastasis. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for BCLs by graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. Clinicopathologic characteristics, including basic clinical information and tumor characteristics, were obtained from medical records. Breast cancer distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) time was calculated at follow-up. The associations of BCLs and clinicopathologic characteristics with DMFS time were examined by Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression analysis, and associations between BCLs and tumor characteristics were also explored. Blood Cd level was positively associated with distant metastasis, clinical stage, BMI, and age. On univariate analysis, older age at diagnosis, family history of breast cancer, high N classification and clinical stage, positivity for human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, and high BCLs were associated with short DMFS time. On multivariate analysis model, older age at diagnosis, family history of breast cancer, high N classification, and BCLs were predictors for breast cancer distant metastasis. BCLs were a risk factor for short DMFS time of invasive breast cancer. BCLs and some clinicopathologic factors affect breast cancer distant metastasis, which needs further epidemiological and experimental studies to confirm.

Blood Cadmium Level Associates with Lower Testosterone and Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin in Chinese men: from SPECT-China Study, 2014.

Cadmium is a widespread environmental pollutant. We aimed to determine whether blood cadmium level (BCL) associates with reproductive hormones in a cross-sectional study. Our data were from SPECT-China. We selected 5690 participants (2286 men and 3404 women), aged 18 years and older, among whom 1589 were postmenopausal women. BCL, blood lead level, total testosterone (TT), estradiol (E2), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), luteinizing hormone, and follicle-stimulating hormone were measured. Results showed that BCL was significantly higher in men (median 1.90 μg/L) than that in women (median 1.56 μg/L). The median level of cadmium in postmenopausal women was 1.40 μg/L. In men, BCL was negatively correlated with TT (Spearmen coefficient = -0.057, P < 0.01) and SHBG (Spearmen coefficient = -0.098, P < 0.01), but in postmenopausal women, this correlation was not observed. In linear regression, after full adjustment for blood lead level, age, body mass index, residence area, economic status, and smoking, TT and SHBG were still negatively associated with BCL in men. Additionally, the association between BCL and TT levels was modified by BMI group (P for interaction = 0.041). However, from base model to fully adjusted model, BCL was not associated with TT and E2 in postmenopausal women. In conclusion, men had higher BCL than women in China, and BCL was associated with TT and SHBG in Chinese men, which may have important implications for male reproductive health. Concerted efforts are warranted to reduce adult cadmium exposure.

Blood cadmium burden and the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a case-control study in Chinese Chaoshan population.

Cadmium is a ubiquitous carcinogenic pollutant with multiple biological effects. Both observational and experimental studies have suggested associations between cadmium and the rates of many types of cancers. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether cadmium exposure is associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in a population with a relatively high prevalence in southeast China. Hospital-based 134 NPC cases and 132 cancer-free controls were recruited from a cancer hospital in Chaoshan area, southeast of China. Basic clinical data and information of lifetime styles, smoking, and drinking as well as other demographic characteristics were also collected from medical records. Blood cadmium levels (BCLs) were detected by graphite-furnace atomizer absorption spectrophotometer (GFAAS). BCLs and over-limit ratios between cases and controls were compared. The relationships between BCLs and NPC were explored by comparing BCLs differences between/among different characteristics of related factors and logistic regression analysis. In addition, BCLs within cases were also compared in relation to the disease clinical stages, pathological types, and metastasis. The median concentration of blood cadmium in cases (3.84, interquartile range 2.21-6.10) was significantly higher than that of controls (2.28, interquartile range 1.79-3.45). The over-limit ratio (≥5 μg/L) in cases was also higher than that in controls (35.1 vs. 13.6%, χ(2) = 16.55, p < 0.001). Smokers tended to have high levels of cadmium burden, and smokers with longer smoking pack-years in cases had relatively higher BCLs (p = 0.001). NPC patients with diseases history presented lower cadmium burden (p = 0.020). In the NPC cases, BCLs were positively associated with clinical stages and N classification (r = 0.193, 0.187, respectively, p < 0.05). Cadmium seems to be a risk factor of NPC, and high cadmium exposure may promote the occurrence and development of NPC.

Association between blood cadmium level and age-related macular degeneration in a representative Korean population.

To investigate the association between blood cadmium level and AMD. This population-based, cross-sectional study using a nationwide, systemically stratified, multistage, clustered sampling method included 4933 subjects older than 40 years who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) between 2008 and 2012 and had fundus photographs taken. All participants underwent a standardized interview, evaluation of blood cadmium concentrations, and comprehensive ophthalmic examination. A 45° digital fundus photograph was taken from both eyes under physiologic mydriasis, and were graded using the international classification and grading system for AMD. Mean blood cadmium levels were 1.47 μg/L in women and 1.19 μg/L in men. After adjusting for potential confounders, including age, sex, and smoking status, the odds ratio (OR) for AMD was significantly increased in the highest quintile blood cadmium group (OR, 1.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-3.29; P for trend = 0.017). This association between blood cadmium level and AMD was significant in men (OR, 2.11; 95% CI, 1.11-4.02; P for trend = 0.024), but not in women (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.70-2.52; P for trend = 0.158). This study provides the first epidemiologic evidence that higher blood cadmium level is associated with AMD. Results of the present study indicate that an elevated cadmium burden may increase the risk of AMD development.

Lead and Cadmium Levels In Blood of Pregnant Women in Assiut Governorate; Do They Have A Role in Preeclampsia?

Preeclampsia (PE) represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality in mother, fetus and infant in many parts of the world. In Egypt, the prevalence of PE is 10.7% in a community based study while, in hospital based studies it ranged from 9.1% to 12.5% of all deliveries. High blood lead and cadmium levels were associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including preeclampsia. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between lead and cadmium blood levels in pregnant females and preeclampsia in Assiut Governorate. This cross sectional study was done in Maternal Health Hospital, Assiut University in a period of sixth months from August 2013 to January 2014. The study included 80 pregnant women were suffering from preeclampsia (preeclampsia group) and another 50 healthy pregnant women as (control group). Blood and cadmium levels were detected in the venous blood of the cases. There were variations in blood lead and cadmium levels among different age groups with increase in level as age increase. Urban residence was significant risk factor for preeclampsia and also associated with high lead and cadmium levels in blood; Significant correlation was found between preeclampsia and low educational level and this was associated with high blood lead and cadmium levels .Smoking of the husband was associated with low blood lead of their wife's in comparison to non-smokers. Preeclampsia occurred in both primiparous and multiparous women and this was associated with relatively high blood lead and cadmium level, also the risk of preeclampsia significantly increases in women with previous preeclampsia. History of previous preeclampsia was associated with relatively high level of blood lead and cadmium. 25% of cases had family history of preeclampsia in comparison with 4% among control. This finding was associated with increase in blood lead and cadmium level. Contamination of water supply, paint use at houses, living near busy street and exposure to motor car exhaust and grinding wheat had been found to be one of the important sources of exposure to lead and cadmium. In conclusion: high blood lead and cadmium levels are significant risk factors for preeclampsia due to exposure to different sources lead and cadmium.

Blood cadmium levels are associated with a decline in lung function in males

BackgroundCadmium exposure was found to cause a decline in lung function among the general population, but these findings were limited to smokers and gender differences were not explored. ObjectivesTo examine the relationship between cadmium and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) according to gender and smoking status in Korea. MethodsCross-sectional data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 to 2011 were analyzed. COPD was defined by a pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1s divided by forced vital capacity of <0.70. A logistic regression model was used to elucidate the association between blood cadmium levels and COPD according to gender and smoking status. ResultsAmong 3861 eligible participants, 3622 were included in the analysis. The prevalence of COPD demonstrated an increasing trend in males (P for trend<0.001), but not in females (P for trend=0.67). After adjusting for covariates, a higher blood cadmium level, but within the normal range, was associated with COPD in males, including those who had never-smoked (P for trend <0.001 and P for trend=0.008). However, a higher blood cadmium level was not significantly associated with COPD in females, including those who had never smoked (P for trend=0.39 and P for trend=0.43). ConclusionsA higher blood cadmium level, within the normal range, was associated with COPD in males, including those who had never smoked. However, there was no significant association between blood cadmium levels and COPD in females.