The association between urinary kidney injury molecule 1 and urinary cadmium in elderly during long-term, low-dose cadmium exposure: a pilot study

2011

Kidney Injury Molecule 1 and Cadmium Exposure in the Elderly

Sample size: 153 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Valérie Pennemans, Liesbeth M De Winter, Elke Munters, Tim S Nawrot, Emmy Van Kerkhove, Jean-Michel Rigo, Carmen Reynders, Harrie Dewitte, Robert Carleer, Joris Penders, Quirine Swennen

Primary Institution: Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University

Hypothesis

Is there a correlation between urinary kidney injury molecule 1 and urinary cadmium levels in elderly individuals exposed to low doses of cadmium over a long period?

Conclusion

Urinary kidney injury molecule 1 levels are positively correlated with urinary cadmium concentration in an elderly population after long-term, low-dose exposure to cadmium.

Supporting Evidence

Urinary kidney injury molecule 1 correlated with urinary cadmium concentrations before and after adjustments.
No significant association was found between other renal biomarkers and urinary cadmium.
The study population consisted of elderly individuals living in a cadmium-polluted area.

Takeaway

This study found that a substance in urine called kidney injury molecule 1 can show if older people have been harmed by low levels of cadmium over time.

Methodology

Urine and blood samples were collected from 153 non-smoking elderly participants, and urinary cadmium and kidney injury molecule 1 levels were measured.