Open AccessApplication of BMD Approach to Identify Thresholds of Cadmium-Induced Renal Effect among 35 to 55 Year-Old Women in Two Cadmium Polluted Counties in China
Author(s) -
Qi Wang,
Jia Hu,
Tian-xu Han,
Mei Li,
Huan-hu Zhao,
Jianwei Chen,
YE Lin-xiang,
Yikai Zhou
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0087817
Subject(s) - cadmium , medicine , urine , renal injury , urology , environmental health , zoology , kidney , chemistry , biology , organic chemistry
Background Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy metal that can cause renal tubular dysfunction in humans. Women are among the high-risk group for Cd health effects. Determining the thresholds of Cd-induced renal effects is important. Thus, in this article, we aimed to identify the benchmark dose (BMD) and its low limit (BMDL) levels as the Cd thresholds for Chinese women. Methods Epidemiologic investigation was performed in county A and county B to obtain data on Cd exposure and its renal effect on respondents. Levels of Cd (UCd), β 2 -microglobulin (UB2M), and N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase (UNAG) were measured in morning urine samples. The BMD approach was mainly performed. Results Results of the BMD approach were similar whether the method was conducted for the two sets of data (collected in CA and CB, respectively) separately or cooperatively. The BMD/BMDL values of UCd for all subjects were 1.07/0.44 and 2.12/0.53 µg/g cr based on UB2M and UNAG, respectively, given a predetermined BMR of 0.05. Conclusions The presented thresholds of Cd-induced renal effects (i.e., the BMDLs of UCd) are close to the counterpart values reported in Japan, Sweden and Belguim.