Association between NAG-B and cadmium in urine with no evidence of a threshold

OBJECTIVES--To explore the significance of the increase in urinary excretion of the lysosomal enzyme beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) at low exposures to cadmium (Cd) that is frequently found in the absence of any other sign of renal dysfunction. METHODS--The activity was measured of the two main...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Occupational and environmental medicine (London, England) England), 1995-03, Vol.52 (3), p.177-180
Main Authors: Bernard, A, Thielemans, N, Roels, H, Lauwerys, R
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetylglucosaminidase - urine
Adult
Apoptosis
Biomarkers - urine
Cadmium
Cadmium - urine
Cell death
Cell membranes
Copper - urine
Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
Enzymes
Excretion
Humans
Isoenzymes - urine
Lead
Lead - urine
Male
Mercury
Mercury - urine
Metallurgy
Middle Aged
Occupational Exposure
Regression coefficients
Renal function
Smelters
Urine
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Summary:OBJECTIVES--To explore the significance of the increase in urinary excretion of the lysosomal enzyme beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) at low exposures to cadmium (Cd) that is frequently found in the absence of any other sign of renal dysfunction. METHODS--The activity was measured of the two main isoenzymes of NAG (NAG-A secreted by exocytosis and NAG-B released with cell membranes) in the urine of 49 male workers employed in a Cd smelter and of 20 age matched controls. RESULTS--An increased urinary excretion of low molecular weight proteins was noted only in subjects who excreted > 10 micrograms Cd/g creatinine. The urinary activity of NAG-B showed a dose related increase that was already significant in the group excreting 0.5-2 micrograms Cd/g creatinine. In multiple regression analysis the NAG-B activity correlated with the excretion of Cd but not with that of lead or mercury. The NAG-A activity was by contrast unaffected by exposure to Cd but correlated with the urinary excretion of lead and copper. CONCLUSIONS--As NAG-B is considered to be the lesional form of NAG, the existence of a specific association between this enzyme and urinary Cd excretion with no detectable threshold suggests that this metal produces cellular alterations at exposures commonly found in the general population.
ISSN:1351-0711
1470-7926
DOI:10.1136/oem.52.3.177