title: Cadmium, mercury, and lead in kidney cortex of living kidney donors: Impact of different exposure sources.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most current knowledge on kidney concentrations of nephrotoxic metals like cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), or lead (Pb) comes from autopsy studies. Assessment of metal concentrations in kidney biopsies from living subjects can be combined with information about exposure sources like smoking, diet, and occupation supplied by the biopsied subjects themselves.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine kidney concentrations of Cd, Hg, and Pb in living kidney donors, and assess associations with common exposure sources and background factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Metal concentrations were determined in 109 living kidney donors aged 24-70 years (median 51), using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (Cd and Pb) and cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry (Hg). Smoking habits, occupation, dental amalgam, fish consumption, and iron stores were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median kidney concentrations were 12.9microg/g (wet weight) for cadmium, 0.21microg/g for mercury, and 0.08microg/g for lead. Kidney Cd increased by 3.9microg/g for a 10 year increase in age, and by 3.7microg/g for an extra 10 pack-years of smoking. Levels in non-smokers were similar to those found in the 1970s. Low iron stores (low serum ferritin) in women increased kidney Cd by 4.5microg/g. Kidney Hg increased by 6% for every additional amalgam surface, but was not associated with fish consumption. Lead was unaffected by the background factors surveyed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In Sweden, kidney Cd levels have decreased due to less smoking, while the impact of diet seems unchanged. Dental amalgam is the main determinant of kidney Hg. Kidney Pb levels are very low due to decreased exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and University of Gothenburg, P.O. Box 414, SE 405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden. lars.barregard@amm.gu.se
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barregard
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fabricius-Lagging
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lundh
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mölne
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wallin
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olausson
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Modigh
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sallsten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D001822:Body Burden; D002104:Cadmium / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D004032:Diet; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007672:Kidney Cortex / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000592:standards; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D019520:Living Donors; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D008628:Mercury