Association between urinary cadmium concentrations and liver function in adolescents.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Toxicology
• Pediatric Health

Background:

• Cadmium (Cd) exposure is linked to cardiovascular, kidney, and bone diseases.
• The impact of Cd on adolescent liver toxicity remains largely unknown.
• Adolescent health is critical for long-term well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between urinary cadmium levels and liver function indicators in adolescents.
• To explore potential Cd-induced liver injury in a large adolescent population.
• To identify specific biomarkers of Cd exposure and liver damage.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of data from 4411 adolescents in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (1999-2016).
• Assessment of liver function using alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels.
• Multivariate logistic regression models and linear regression were used to evaluate associations, adjusting for covariates.

Main Results:

• Higher urinary Cd levels were associated with elevated ALT and AST, with odds ratios of 1.40 and 1.64, respectively.
• Linear associations between urinary Cd and increased ALT/AST were observed in boys.
• Increased Cd exposure correlated with higher C-reactive protein and lower HDL cholesterol levels.

Conclusions:

• Cadmium exposure is potentially associated with liver injury indicators in adolescents.
• These findings suggest a toxic effect of cadmium on the adolescent liver.
• Further research is needed to confirm these associations and understand the mechanisms involved.