Chromium-induced early changes in renal function among ferrochromium-producing workers.
Urinary biochemical indicators of renal injury were examined in 84 male and 38 female ferrochromium-producing workers exposed to water-soluble chromium compounds [Cr(VI)]. The indicators examined included urinary chromium (U-Cr), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT), glutamic-oxalacetic and glutamic-pyruvic transaminases (GOT & GPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), total protein (TPr) and beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-MG). The U-Cr levels in the exposed group were approximately 1.8 times that of the control group. Compared to controls, the activities of gamma-GT, NAG, ALP, GOT and LDH in the urine of workers were significantly increased whenever U-Cr concentration exceeded 45 microgram/g creatinine. The activities of gamma-GT, GOT and NAG were elevated in workers employed for longer than ten years. However, no clear dose-response relationships nor time-effect relationships were found. The present results suggest that long-term exposure to water-soluble chromium [Cr(VI)] produces chronic renal injury. The site of the injury appears to mainly involve the proximal tubule. U-Cr concentrations of > 15 microgram/g creatinine can be proposed as a threshold dosage for nephrotoxicity, and gamma-GT, NAG and ALP are early sensitive indicators of the most valuable for evaluating the renal injury.
Wang
X
X
Department of Occupational Health and Toxicology Nanjing Medical College, China.
Qin
Q
Q
Xu
X
X
Xu
J
J
Wang
J
J
Zhou
J
J
Huang
S
S
Zhai
W
W
Zhou
H
H
Chen
J
J
D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase / Q000652:urine; D000328:Adult; D017608:Chromium Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000652:urine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008669:Metallurgy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000139:chemically induced; D000637:Transaminases / Q000652:urine; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase / Q000652:urine
D017608:Chromium Compounds; D005723:gamma-Glutamyltransferase; D000637:Transaminases; D000118:Acetylglucosaminidase