Blood biochemical analyses and the measurement of blood pressure were carried out in 86 female inhabitants of a cadmium-polluted area aged 55 to 71 years. The values for their urinary β2-microglobulin (β2-m) ranged from 0.5 to 137.7mg/g creatinine with a geometric mean of 7.6mg/g creatinine. Therefore, the subjects were. divided into four groups according to the concentration of β2-m in urine: group I, <3mg/g creatinine (n=23); group II, 3-10mg/g creatinine (n=28); group III, 10-30mg/g creatinine (n=19); and group IV, >30mg/g creatinine (n=16).
1) Red-cell count, hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit value in group IV significantly decreased compared to the other 3 groups.
2) The GOT, GPT and γ-GTP activities in serum were in the normal range in all subjects. No significant differences among the 4 groups were detected in the results of serum total-protein concentration and protein analysis.
3) In group IV, the mean values for serum creatinine and β2-m were significantly elevated compared to the other 3 groups. In contrast, serum uric acid concentrations decreased with increasing urinary β2-m.
4) No significant differences were detected in the levels of serum Na, K, and Cl of the 4 groups. However, fractional sodium and potassium excretions were raised in group IV compared to the other 3 groups. Systolic and diastolic blood-pressure levels in group IV were the lowest among the 4 groups. Excessive renal sodium excretion due to renal tubular dysfunction may reduce the blood-pressure.
