Low-Level Environmental Cadmium Exposure and Its Effects on Renal and Bone Health in Brazilian Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author(s)

Kunioka, Carlos Tadashi ; Cruz, Jonas Carneiro ; Souza, Vanessa Cristina de Oliveira ; Rocha, Bruno Alves ; Barbosa Jr, Fernando ; Belo, Luis ; Manso, Maria Conceicao ; Carvalho, Marcia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: EXPOSURE AND HEALTH; v. N/A, p. 15-pg., 2025-06-13.

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the long-term effects of low-level, chronic exposure to cadmium (Cd) on renal and bone health. A cross-sectional study was conducted on postmenopausal women (n = 380) from Cascavel, Brazil, an agricultural region where the use of Cd-containing fertilizers may exacerbate environmental contamination. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and cumulative Cd exposure was assessed through urinary Cd (UCd) concentrations using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Renal tubular function was evaluated by measuring urinary beta 2-microglobulin, and bone mineral density (BMD) at the lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total hip was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Median UCd concentrations confirmed low exposure (0.30 mu g/g creatinine; interquartile range: 0.15-0.55). Univariate analysis revealed a borderline association between higher UCd concentrations and lower BMD at the femoral neck across normal, osteopenic, and osteoporotic groups (p = 0.067). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that UCd was not independently associated with reduced BMD but was a significant predictor of renal tubular damage (p < 0.001). These findings underscore a pressing environmental and public health issue: even low levels of Cd exposure correlate with subclinical renal tubular dysfunction. Enhanced monitoring and stricter environmental regulations are critical to prevent long-term kidney damage and related health risks, especially in vulnerable populations. [GRAPHICS] . (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/05059-0 - Multi-user equipment approved in grant 2018/24069-3: Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS)
• Grantee: Fernando Barbosa Júnior
• Support Opportunities: Multi-user Equipment Program
• FAPESP's process: 18/24069-3 - ReSEARCH: Recognizing Signatures of the Exposome to Anticipate the Risks for a Continuous Health
• Grantee: Fernando Barbosa Júnior
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 22/06443-0 - Bioavailability and bioaccessibility of pesticides and legacy pollutants in food: a public health risk assessment and creation of a risk-benefit tool for Brazilian consumers
• Grantee: Marília Cristina Oliveira Souza
• Support Opportunities: Generation Project Research Grant
• FAPESP's process: 23/12363-2 - Association between the co-exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals and birth outcomes in Brazilian newborns: a cross-sectional study using elastic net and Bayesian kernel machine regression
• Grantee: Jonas Carneiro Cruz
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 23/03654-3 - Development and application of simple and rapid analytical methods for the determination of endocrine disruptors and oxidative stress biomarkers in biological samples for evaluation of exposure of children and pregnant women
• Grantee: Jonas Carneiro Cruz
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral