title: Burnt sugarcane harvesting is associated with acute renal dysfunction.
abstract: Sugarcane harvesting has been associated with an epidemic of chronic kidney disease in Central America mainly affecting previously healthy young workers. Repeated episodes of acute kidney dysfunction are hypothesized to be one of the possible mechanisms for this phenomenon. Therefore, this exploratory study aimed to assess the acute effects of burnt sugarcane harvesting on renal function among 28 healthy non-African Brazilian workers. Urine and blood samples were collected at the beginning and at the end of the harvesting season and before and at the end of a harvesting workday. All individuals decreased their estimated glomerular filtration rate by ∼20% at the end of the daily shift, and 18.5% presented with serum creatinine increases consistent with acute kidney injury. Those changes were associated with increased serum creatine phosphokinase (a known marker for exertional rhabdomyolysis) and oxidative stress-associated malondialdehyde levels, increased peripheral blood white cell counts, decreased urinary and serum sodium, decreased calculated fractional sodium excretion, and increased urine density. Thus, burnt sugarcane harvesting caused acute renal dysfunction in previously healthy workers. This was associated with a combination of dehydration, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and rhabdomyolysis.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Division, Heart Institute, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Ubiratan
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Paula Santos
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology, University of São Paulo Public Health School, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dirce Maria T
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Zanetta
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Division, Heart Institute, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Mário
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Terra-Filho
authors.affiliation: Medical Investigation Laboratory 12 (LIM-12), Division of Nephrology, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Emmanuel A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Burdmann
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D001938:Brazil; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D009120:Muscle Cramp / Q000097:blood; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D031786:Saccharum; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine; D013046:Specific Gravity; D016482:Urinalysis; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D008315:Malondialdehyde; D012964:Sodium; D003404:Creatinine; D003402:Creatine Kinase