ZINC AND COPPER LEVELS IN RIBS OF CADMIUM-EXPOSED PERSONS WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO OSTEOMALACIA

Cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), an d magnesium (Mg) were determined in ribs obtained at autopsy from 38 C d-exposed and 17 nonexposed subjects to determine how levels of these elements in bone are affected by Cd exposure and whether they are asso ciated with the bone lesions due to Cd exposure, osteomalacia, and ost eoporosis. Cd in ribs was significantly higher in the Cd-exposed subje cts than in nonexposed subjects. Zn tended to be higher, while Cu, Ca, P, and Rig tended to be lower in the ribs of Cd exposed subjects, tho ugh these differences were not statistically significant. Zn, Ca, P, a nd Mg were highly correlated with each other in both Cd exposed and no nexposed groups, but the associations of Ca, P, and Mg in the ribs wit h Zn concentrations differed in subjects and controls. Ca to Zn ratios were low in the Cd-exposed subjects, and the higher the grade of oste omalacia, the lower the Cal Zn ratio. The decrease in Ca/Zn ratio was significantly correlated with increases in Cd. Cu showed a significant positive correlation with Cd and significant inverse correlation with Ca, P, and Mg in the Cd-exposed group. Cu and its relation to other e lements did not show any association with osteomalacia. In conclusion, Ca/Zn ratio in bone was related to Cd exposure and the degree of oste omalacia in the Cd-exposed subjects. (C) 1997 Academic Press.