[Renal dysfunction in workers exposed to arsenic and cadmium].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the nephrotoxicity induced caused by combined effect of arsenic and cadmium in exposed workers. METHODS: Urinary cadmium and arsenic were used as the exposure biomarkers of cadmium and arsenic. Urinary beta2-microglobulin (Ubeta2-MG), albumin (UALB) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (UNAG) were measured as the effective biomarkers of tubular and glomerular dysfunction induced by cadmium and arsenic. RESULTS: The combination of cadmium and arsenic induced more severe renal injury than that caused by either of the chemicals given alone. There were positive correlations and significant dose-effect among the concentrations of urinary cadmium, arsenic and levels of Ubeta2-MG, UALB, UNAG (P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Cadmium combined with arsenic may have additive effect on renal dysfunction in workers exposed to arsenic and cadmium.