Background and aim: Cadmium is a heavy metal classified as carcinogen for humans. It accumulates in the organism, especially in kidney and liver. Recent findings suggested that cadmium could influence human metabolism acting as endocrine disruptor and high cadmium exposure has been associated with impairment of cardiovascular and endocrine systems. This study aims at assessing the dietary intake of cadmium in an Italian community of Northern Italy and to evaluate its correlation with endocrine and metabolic factors.
Methods: In a sample adult population of ever smokers from Reggio Emilia Province we estimated dietary cadmium intake through a food frequency questionnaire, validated for the Northern Italy population. From each participant we collected a fasten blood sample for determination of biochemical parameters and hormones levels, including alanine transaminase, blood glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). All subjects who participated to this study signed a written informed consent.
Results: We eventually recruited 104 participants (men/women: 46/58), with mean (standard deviation) dietary intake of cadmium of 16.0 (8.5) μg/day. Correlation between cadmium intake and biochemical factors demonstrated a positive association with total cholesterol levels, blood glucose and TSH. Adjustment for main confounders, including sex, age, and bass index did not substantially alter the results. No clear correlation emerged with other parameters under investigation.
Discussion: The results show that in our sampled population, dietary intake of cadmium is similar with other Italian and European populations. They also suggest that cadmium intake could influence the levels of metabolic and other biochemical factor which are important risk factors for chronic cardiovascular and endocrine system diseases.
Acknowledgements: We acknowledge the collaboration of the personnel of Transfusion Medicine Unit of AUSL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, staff and volunteers of AVIS – Section of Reggio Emilia, and all blood donors who participated to this study.