Biologic indicators of cadmium nephrotoxicity in persons with low-level cadmium exposure

The relationship between abnormal urinary findings and renal function was investigated for 33 Itai-Itai patients, 17 suspected patients, 235 subjects exposed to Cd and 41 subjects not exposed to Cd pollution. High correlation coefficients were observed between urinary findings and renal function in advanced cases of chronic cadmium poisoning, and multiple correlation coefficients between them are as high as 0.73 to 0.86. beta 2-microglobulin in urine also correlated closely with renal function and age in slight to moderate cases of cadmium poisoning. It is concluded that urinary findings such as proteinuria, glucosuria and low molecular weight proteinuria are good indicators of renal dysfunction in moderate to severe cases of chronic cadmium poisoning. In slight to moderate cases beta 2-microglobulin in urine has a close relation with renal dysfunction.