Associations between plasma metal levels and mild renal impairment in the general population of Southern China

Abstract

Background: Metal exposure were assumed to be closely related with declined renal function, but the conclusions were controversial. We employed diverse statistical models and assessed the association between metal mixture exposure and mild renal impairment. Methods: A total of 13 plasma metals were measured in 896 general population from Southern China. Subjects with estimated glomerular filtration rate within 60–89 ml/min/1.73 m2 and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio <30 mg/g creatinine were defined as mild renal impairment (MRI). Results: About 31.47 % participants showed MRI. In the multivariate logistic regression models, compared with the first quartile, high levels of arsenic and molybdenum (the fourth quartile) were both associated with MRI, and the ORs (95 % CI) were 1.68 (1.05, 2.68) and 2.21 (1.40, 3.48), respectively. Their predominant roles were identified by the weighted quantile regression (WQS). Besides, restricted cubic spline analysis verified the relationship between molybdenum level and increased MRI risk in a linear and dose-response manner. Conclusion: High levels of arsenic and molybdenum might be independent risk factors of MRI, and they showed combined effect. Our findings might provide vigorous evidence in preventing mild decline in renal function.

Keywords

• Renal function
• Molybdenum
• Arsenic
• Association