Effects of environmental levels of cadmium, lead and mercury on human renal function evaluated by structural equation modeling.
A relationship between exposure to heavy metals, including lead and cadmium, and renal dysfunction has long been suggested. However, modeling of the potential additive, or synergistic, impact of metals on renal dysfunction has proven to be challenging. In these studies, we used structural equation modeling (SEM), to investigate the relationship between heavy metal burden (serum and urine levels of lead, cadmium and mercury) and renal function using data from the NHANES database. We were able to generate a model with goodness of fit indices consistent with a well-fitting model. This model demonstrated that lead and cadmium had a negative relationship with renal function, while mercury did not contribute to renal dysfunction. Interestingly, a linear relationship between lead and loss of renal function was observed, while the maximal impact of cadmium occurred at or above serum cadmium levels of 0.8 μg/L. The interaction of lead and cadmium in loss of renal function was also observed in the model. These data highlight the use of SEM to model interaction between environmental contaminants and pathophysiology, which has important implications in mechanistic and regulatory toxicology.
Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX, USA.
Jerome P
JP
Trzeciakowski
Department of Medical Physiology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station, TX, USA.
Lesley
L
Gardiner
Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, One Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO, USA. Electronic address: parrishar@health.missouri.edu.
Alan R
AR
Parrish
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D002104:Cadmium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D004785:Environmental Pollutants / Q000633:toxicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D007854:Lead / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008628:Mercury / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D002104:Cadmium; D007854:Lead; D008628:Mercury
Cadmium; Kidney Function; Lead; Mercury; SEM; Structural Equation Model