Cigarette smoking and hyperglycemia increase renal response to low levels of cadmium in welders: cystatin C as a sensitive marker.

The present study was undertaken to investigate the utility of cystatin C (CysC) as an early biomarker of cadmium (Cd)-induced renal injury. The study was carried out on 50 adult male individuals divided into five groups of 10 individuals as follows: control, welders, smoker welders, diabetic welders, and smoker diabetic welders. The results indicated that plasma levels of CysC, creatinine, urea, and uric acid were significantly higher in welders compared to control individuals. In addition, the levels of whole blood Cd, lipid peroxidation, and protein oxidation products as well as erythrocyte osmotic fragility were significantly higher in welders compared to control individuals. In contrast, the levels of plasma albumin and whole blood glutathione were significantly decreased in welders compared to control individuals. The alterations of the measured parameters were enhanced in the presence of smoking and hyperglycemia besides exposure to welding fumes. These results suggest that CysC can be used as a sensitive biomarker of the early stages of Cd-induced renal injury.