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'Boden Food Plate': Novel Interactive Web-based Method for the Assessment of Dietary Intake
Published on: September 18, 2018
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Dietary Cadmium Intake and Its Effects on Kidneys
1Centre for Kidney Disease Research and Translational Research Institute, The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute and Centre for Health Services Research, Woolloongabba, Brisbane 4102, Australia. sj.satarug@yahoo.com.au.
Toxics
|March 15, 2018
Summary
Cadmium (Cd) is an unavoidable food contaminant that primarily targets the kidneys. This review details how Cd intake and kidney damage are measured, informing toxicity limits and early detection of kidney malfunction.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Nephrology
Background:
- Cadmium (Cd) is a ubiquitous food-chain contaminant readily absorbed by plants, leading to unavoidable dietary exposure.
- The kidney is a critical target organ for chronic cadmium toxicity, impacting multiple organ systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review traditional methods for measuring cadmium intake and its renal effects.
- To summarize current understanding of cadmium absorption, transport, and accumulation.
- To discuss the derivation and utility of cadmium toxicity thresholds and biomarkers.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cadmium toxicology, focusing on kidney effects.
- Summary of metal transporters involved in cadmium absorption and renal handling.
- Analysis of factors influencing cadmium accumulation (age, gender, smoking).
Main Results:
- Urinary cadmium excretion reflects body burden; urinary N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase (NAG) and β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) quantify kidney toxicity.
- Cadmium exposure is associated with chronic kidney disease, hypertension, impaired weight gain, and altered zinc reabsorption.
- Urinary cadmium threshold levels derived from population data serve as early warning signs for kidney dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Understanding cadmium's toxicokinetics and biomarkers is crucial for public health.
- Established urinary cadmium thresholds aid in preventing cadmium-induced kidney damage.
- Continued monitoring and research are essential to mitigate cadmium's health impacts.
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