Björn Fagerberg1, Yan Borné2, Lars Barregard3, Gerd Sallsten3, Niklas Forsgard4, Bo Hedblad2, Margaretha Persson2, Gunnar Engström2. 1. Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Wallenberg Laboratory for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden. Electronic address: bjorn.fagerberg@wlab.gu.se. 2. Department of Clinical Sciences in Malmö, Cardiovascular Epidemiology, CRC, Jan Waldenströms gata 35, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, SE-205 02 Malmö, Sweden. 3. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and University of Gothenburg, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden. 4. Department of Clinical Chemistry, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, SE-413 45 Gothenburg, Sweden.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Diet and smoking are the main sources of cadmium exposure in the general population. Cadmium increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and experimental studies show that it induces inflammation. Blood cadmium levels are associated with macrophages in human atherosclerotic plaques. Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is an emerging biomarker for cardiovascular events related to inflammation and atherosclerotic plaques. The aim was to examine whether blood cadmium levels are associated with circulating suPAR and other markers of inflammation. METHODS: A population sample of 4648 Swedish middle-aged women and men was examined cross-sectionally in 1991-1994. Plasma suPAR was assessed by ELISA, leukocytes were measured by standard methods, and blood cadmium was analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Prevalent cardiovascular disease, ultrasound-assessed carotid plaque occurrence, and several possible confounding factors were recorded. RESULTS: After full adjustment for risk factors and confounding variables, a 3-fold increase in blood cadmium was associated with an 10.9% increase in suPAR concentration (p<0.001). In never-smokers, a 3-fold increase in blood cadmium was associated with a 3.7% increase in suPAR concentration (p<0.01) after full adjustment. Blood cadmium was not associated with C-reactive protein, white blood cell count and Lp-PLA2 but with neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in one of two statistical models. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to cadmium was associated with increased plasma suPAR in the general population, independently of smoking and cardiovascular disease. These results imply that cadmium is a possible cause for raised levels of this inflammatory marker. Copyright Â
BACKGROUND: Diet and smoking are the main sources of cadmium exposure in the general population. Cadmium increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and experimental studies show that it induces inflammation. Blood cadmium levels are associated with macrophages in humanatherosclerotic plaques. Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) is an emerging biomarker for cardiovascular events related to inflammation and atherosclerotic plaques. The aim was to examine whether blood cadmium levels are associated with circulating suPAR and other markers of inflammation. METHODS: A population sample of 4648 Swedish middle-aged women and men was examined cross-sectionally in 1991-1994. Plasma suPAR was assessed by ELISA, leukocytes were measured by standard methods, and blood cadmium was analysed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Prevalent cardiovascular disease, ultrasound-assessed carotid plaque occurrence, and several possible confounding factors were recorded. RESULTS: After full adjustment for risk factors and confounding variables, a 3-fold increase in blood cadmium was associated with an 10.9% increase in suPAR concentration (p<0.001). In never-smokers, a 3-fold increase in blood cadmium was associated with a 3.7% increase in suPAR concentration (p<0.01) after full adjustment. Blood cadmium was not associated with C-reactive protein, white blood cell count and Lp-PLA2 but with neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio in one of two statistical models. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to cadmium was associated with increased plasma suPAR in the general population, independently of smoking and cardiovascular disease. These results imply that cadmium is a possible cause for raised levels of this inflammatory marker. Copyright Â
Authors: Yan Borné; Björn Fagerberg; Gerd Sallsten; Bo Hedblad; Margaretha Persson; Olle Melander; Jan Nilsson; Marju Orho-Melander; Lars Barregard; Gunnar Engström Journal: Clin Proteomics Date: 2019-05-15 Impact factor: 3.988
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Authors: Arce Domingo-Relloso; Angela L Riffo-Campos; Karin Haack; Pilar Rentero-Garrido; Christine Ladd-Acosta; Daniele M Fallin; Wan Yee Tang; Miguel Herreros-Martinez; Juan R Gonzalez; Anne K Bozack; Shelley A Cole; Ana Navas-Acien; Maria Tellez-Plaza Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2020-06-02 Impact factor: 9.031
Authors: Lars Barregard; Gerd Sallsten; Florencia Harari; Eva M Andersson; Niklas Forsgard; Ola Hjelmgren; Oskar Angerås; Erika Fagman; Margaretha Persson; Thomas Lundh; Yan Borné; Björn Fagerberg; Gunnar Engström; Göran Bergström Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2021-06-23 Impact factor: 9.031