Effect Of Chronic Lead And Cadmium Co-Exposure On Integrity Of The Kidney And The Role Of ß2 Microglobulin

Abstract

Background: Chronic exposure to heavy metals represents a challenging medical and environmental problem Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) are both toxic metals that are extensively used in industrial fields and usually co-exist with zinc in the environment. High-level exposure to many heavy metals may increase the risk for kidney diseases.
Aim of the work: Detection of the levels of lead and cadmium in the blood of subjects with chronic co-exposure correlated with their possible toxic effects on the kidney and role ofß2 microglobulin.
Subjects and Methods: It included 70 subjects with known chronic co-exposure to lead and cadmium. In addition, another 70 healthy subjects not exposed tolead and cadmium matched for age and sex, were included as a control group. All underwent detailed assessment by history taking, clinical examination, and laboratory investigations with measurement of lead and cadmium levels and assessment of renal function in addition tourine β2 microglobulin.
Results: estimated GFR were statistically significantly decreased (76.11±9.73) in group 1 incomparable to group 2 (99.74±14.13). On the other side, creatinine, BUN, and serum uric acid, were statistically significant increases in the study than the control group. In addition, urine β2 microglobulin was statistically significantly increased (530.32±122.56) in group 1 than group 2 (171.27±56.03). Both cadmium and lead there were statistically significant negative correlations with each of hemoglobin, RBCs, hematocrit, serum albumin, and estimated GFR. In addition, there were statistically significant positive correlations, with urine β2 microglobulin, serum creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen.
Conclusion: There was a harmful effect of co-exposureto cadmium and lead on the kidney and this deterioration of kidney function was correlated with increased cadmium and lead levels. In addition, urine β2microglobulin is a good marker of renal tubular dysfunction.