Normal liver function in women in the general Japanese population subjected to environmental exposure to cadmium at various levels

Objectives: Whereas it is well established that environmental exposure to c admium (Cd) may induce kidney dysfunction, less attention has been paid to the possible disturbance of liver function by Cd exposure. The possibility that liver function is adversely affected by current levels of environmenta l exposure to Cd as investigated in women in the general population in Japa n, where the background level of exposure to Cd is known to be high. Method s: From 1991 to 1997, 24-h food duplicate, peripheral blood and morning spo t urine samples were collected from 607 non-smoking and non-habitually drin king women (age range 19-78 years) at 30 survey sites (with no known enviro nmental pollution from heavy metals) throughout Japan. Liver function param eters in serum were examined by conventional methods. After wet-ashing, the food duplicate, blood and urine samples were analyzed for Cd intake via fo od (Cd-F), Cd in blood (Cd-B), and Cd in urine (Cd-U) by inductively-couple d plasma mass spectrometry. Results: The geometric mean values for Cd-F, Cd -B, and Cd-U were 24.7 (27.1) mu g/day, 1.76 (2.07) mu g/l, and 3.94 (4.61) mu g/g creatinine (values in parentheses for 41- to 60 year-old women), re spectively. It as found that the three parameters of ALP, ALT, and AST acti vity were positively and significantly related to the age of the subjects ( whereas no association as detected in cases of gamma-GTP, LAP, and albumin) . Accordingly, a further analysis as made with 367 women selected by age (4 1-60 years; about 60% of the total population). Essentially, no Cd dose-dep endent changes in liver function parameters were observed in the selected p opulation of this narrower age range. Conclusions: Overall, it seemed prude nt to conclude that liver function as not disturbed by the current environm ental exposure to Cd in Japan.