Cadmium exposure may be
linked to bone loss among Japanese women
( Environmental
Health-April 17, 2003)
"Nine hundred eight women aged 40-88 years living in a non-cadmium (Cd)-polluted
area in Japan were analyzed for urinary Cd, N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase
(NAG) activity, beta(2)-microglobulin (B2MG) concentration, and for the
stiffness index (STIFF) of calcaneal bone using an ultrasound method,"
according to a study from Japan.
"The urinary Cd in the subjects, with a mean and range of 2.87 and 0.25-11.4
mcg/g creatinine, respectively, showed a significant correlation with NAG
but not with B2MG," reported R. Honda and coauthors, Kanazawa Medical
University, Department of Hygiene.
"STIFF was significantly inversely correlated with urinary Cd, and the
association remained significant after adjusting for age, body weight, and
menstrual status, suggesting a significant effect of Cd on the bone loss in
these subjects without signs of Cd-induced kidney damage," Honda and
coworkers remarked.
"A two-fold increase in urinary Cd was accompanied by a decrease in STIFF
corresponding to a 1.7-year rise in age. These results emphasize the need
for reassessment of the significance of Cd exposure in the general Japanese
population," researchers argued.
Honda and colleagues published the results of their study in Environmental
Research (Urinary cadmium excretion is correlated with calcaneal bone mass
in Japanese women living in an urban area. Environ Res, 2003;91(2):63-70).
The corresponding author for this report is R. Honda, Kanazawa Medical
University, Department of Hygiene, Ishikari, Hokkaido 9200293, Japan.
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The information in this article comes under the major subject areas of
Toxicology, Osteoporosis, Environmental Health, and Women's Health. This
article was prepared by Women's Health Weekly editors from staff and other
reports.
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