Early detection of nephrotoxic effects due to low-dose exposure of cadmium among cigarette smokers

ABSTRACT

The effects of low-level exposure to cadmium due to cigarette smoking on renal function were judged by the estimation of urinary levels of total proteins, cadmium, alpha-1-microglobulin [alpha1 M] and glutathione S-transferase [GST] activity among 50 males [38 smokers and 12 control. non-smokers]. Elevated urinary cadmium levels [2.408-28.160; 9.31 +/- 7.1 micro g cd/gm urine creatinine] were observed among the majority of smokers [24 cases, 63.16%] and these levels showed a positive correlation with age and smoking index. Furthermore, urine total proteins [115.18-652.14, 242.89 +/- 121.88 mg Protein/gm urine creatinine] were increased suggesting glomerular involvement among 20 cases [52.63%] of smokers. In addition, urinary alpha1 M levels [14.645-86.053; 34.05 +/- 16.83 mg alpha1 M /gm urine creatinine] and urinary GST activity [0.0-0.008; 0.00015 +/- 0.0002 micro mol/min/100 micro1/gm urine creatinine] were elevated among 18 [47.37%] and 20 [52.63%] cages of smokers respectively. Since urinary alpha1 M and GST originate from renal proximal tubules, the data of the present investigation could reflect early low-level cadmium exposure nephrotoxic effect on both the glomeruli and tubules