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Pattern Recognition of Trace Element vs Heavy Elements in Patients with Membranous Nephropathy
Xiaochang Xu1,2, Jing Xu3, Weiji Xie3
1The Division of Nephrology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510000, People's Republic of China.
Biological Trace Element Research
|November 30, 2024
Summary
Trace element levels in blood and urine differ between patients with membranous nephropathy and healthy individuals. Specific elements like cobalt and zinc show significant differences, aiding in disease pattern recognition.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Environmental Health
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Membranous nephropathy is a leading cause of nephrotic syndrome in adults.
- Trace elements and heavy metals are implicated in various physiological and pathological processes.
- Understanding elemental profiles may offer insights into disease mechanisms and biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of trace and heavy elements in pattern recognition for membranous nephropathy.
- To quantify specific elements in blood and urine of patients with membranous nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, and healthy controls.
- To identify elemental differences that could serve as biomarkers for membranous nephropathy.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of 17 elements (V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Sr, Cd, Cs, Ba, Pb, Hg) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
- Analysis of blood and urine samples from 14 membranous nephropathy patients, 14 IgA nephropathy patients, and 13 healthy controls.
- Application of Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) for data interpretation.
Main Results:
- Patients with membranous nephropathy showed significantly lower blood levels of Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Cd, Ba and higher levels of Se, Pb, Hg compared to controls.
- Urine levels of Co, Ni, Cu, Zn were lower, while Hg was higher in membranous nephropathy patients versus controls.
- Distinct elemental profiles were observed when comparing membranous nephropathy to IgA nephropathy, with significant differences in blood V, Cr, Co, Cu, As, Sr, Cd, Ba and urine Sr, Ba; Pb and Hg were higher in membranous nephropathy.
- PCA and OPLS-DA identified Co, Zn, Hg, Ba (blood) and Co, Ni (urine) as key discriminators between membranous nephropathy and controls.
- Sr (blood) and Pb, Sr (urine) were significant contributors to distinguishing membranous nephropathy from IgA nephropathy.
Conclusions:
- Elemental analysis reveals significant differences in trace and heavy metal profiles in patients with membranous nephropathy.
- Specific elements like cobalt, zinc, mercury, barium, and strontium show potential as biomarkers for distinguishing membranous nephropathy from healthy controls and IgA nephropathy.
- These findings support the role of elemental dysregulation in the pathogenesis of membranous nephropathy and highlight their utility in diagnostic pattern recognition.
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