URINARY-EXCRETION LEVELS OF SODIUM AND POTASSIUM IN ENVIRONMENTAL CADMIUM-EXPOSED SUBJECTS

The urinary excretion levels of sodium (Na) and potassium (K) in cadmi um (Cd)-exposed subjects as related with urinary beta(2)-microglobulin (beta(2)-MG) and Cd concentrations were investigated. The target popu lation comprised of 3164 inhabitants of Japan who were more than 50 ye ars of age and who lived in cadmium-polluted areas and 294 inhabitants who lived in non-polluted areas of Japan. A significant increase in u rinary excretion of K was shown in Cd-exposed subjects although there was no significant difference in urinary excretion of Na between the C d-exposed and non-exposed subjects. Urinary K concentrations in both s exes were significantly correlated with age, urinary beta(2)-MG and Cd concentrations by multiple regression analysis. Urinary Na concentrat ion was significantly correlated with age, beta(2)-MG and Cd in men, b ut in women it was significantly associated with only the urinary beta (2)-MG concentration. The present study demonstrated that increased K excretion was a more sensitive effect of cadmium exposure than increas ed Na excretion. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights res erved.