Adverse effects of low occupational cadmium exposure on renal and oxidative stress biomarkers in solderers

• Published in: Occupational and environmental medicine (London, England) England), 2013-02, Vol.70 (2), p.108-113
• Main Authors: Hambach, Ramona, Lison, Dominique, D'Haese, Patrick, Weyler, Joost, François, Guido, De Schryver, Antoon, Manuel-Y-Keenoy, Begoña, Van Soom, Ulrik, Caeyers, Tine, van Sprundel, Marc
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Analgesics; Anti-inflammatory agents; Antioxidants; Biological markers; Biomarkers; Biomarkers - blood; Biomarkers - urine; Blood; Breath tests; Cadmium; Cadmium - toxicity; Creatinine; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes; Early Diagnosis; Enzymes; Exposure; Health; Health risks; Humans; Immunoassay; Kidney Diseases - chemically induced; Kidney Diseases - diagnosis; Male; Metabolites; Occupational; Occupational exposure; Occupational Exposure - adverse effects; Oxidation; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; P values; Proteins; Questionnaires; Regression Analysis; Retinol binding proteins; Smoking; Sod; Stresses; Urine; Welding; Workplace
• ISSN: 1351-0711; 1470-7926
• DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2012-100887

Objectives Recent studies suggest adverse health effects after low exposure to cadmium (Cd). Brazing with Cd-containing solder exposes workers to Cd. The purpose of this study was to assess: (1) indicators of Cd exposure in blood (Cd-B)/ urine (Cd-U); (2) the association between Cd-B, Cd-U and renal and oxidative stress biomarkers. Methods In this cross-sectional study Cd-B, Cd-U, renal (ie, N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase/urinary intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP)/microalbumin/beta-2-microglobulin/retinol binding protein and oxidative stress markers (ie, derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites/glutathione peroxidase/superoxide dismutase (SOD)/ advanced oxidation protein products/8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosin/8-isoprostanes) were determined in 36 solderers. Results Multiple linear regression analysis adjusting for age and pack-years of smoking show that IAP is statistically significantly associated with Cd-B (B=0.24; SE=0.11) and Cd-U (B=0.15; SE=0.07). Also SOD is statistically significantly associated with Cd-B (B=62.96; SE=29.62). The association between SOD and Cd-U is of borderline statistical significance (B=37.69; SE=19.59). Conclusions While there is still some debate as whether the Cd-induced tubular effects are reversible or not, IAP and SOD appear as sensitive and potentially useful early biomarkers for the health surveillance of workers exposed to low levels of Cd.