Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global public health issue linked to toxic elements like cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg), which harm the kidneys even at low exposure levels. Copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) imbalances could exacerbate inflammation, oxidative stress, and kidney damage because the Cu/Zn ratio could be a critical marker of renal dysfunction. The study evaluated 914 adolescents aged 11–18 through urine samples to assess the presence of kidney damage biomarkers (OPN, KIM-1, CLU, NGAL, and Cys-C) by using Luminex Magpix and trace metals (Cd, Hg, Cu, Zn) by using ICP-mass. Overweight (18.71%) and obesity (12.58%) rates were noted. Cd and Cu showed positive correlations with kidney damage biomarkers, while Zn exhibited protective effects. Regression models indicated that Cd exposure increased kidney damage markers, emphasizing the importance of Cu/Zn ratio. Environmental exposure to Cd affects kidney health even at low levels, as the Cu/Zn ratio correlates with kidney damage markers in low-Cd exposure, suggesting that the Cu/Zn ratio could participate in the nephrotoxicity process, highlighting trace element imbalance as a potential predictor of kidney function decline.
Pregnancy increases the demand for essential metal ions to support fetal development, making the maternal metal ion status a critical determinant of perinatal outcomes. This prospective cohort study examined changes in metal ion levels across the three trimesters, evaluated the influence of preexisting metabolic conditions on the metal ion status, and assessed the associations between maternal metal ion levels and perinatal outcomes in 206 pregnant women from the Biochemical and Epigenetic Origin of Overweight and Obesity (OBESO) cohort receiving care at the Instituto Nacional de Perinatología in Mexico City from 2017 to 2020. Six essential metal ions (iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus) were measured in blood samples using inductively coupled plasma optic emission spectrometry. Significant variations in the metal ion levels were observed across the trimesters, with notable decreases in iron and magnesium and increases in copper as pregnancies progressed. Maternal hypothyroidism was associated with significantly low levels of zinc and magnesium during pregnancy. Regression analyses revealed robust associations between maternal metal ion levels and perinatal outcomes. For instance, declining magnesium levels as pregnancies progressed were positively associated with gestational diabetes (OR: 2.92, p = 0.04; OR: 2.72, p = 0.03). The maternal metal ion status significantly influences perinatal outcomes.
Background: Guidelines recommend switching the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) estimation from the CKiD-U25 to the CKD-EPI formula at age 18. We investigated how this would affect chronic kidney disease (CKD) classification. Methods: Serum creatinine was enzymatically measured in 1061 samples from 914 community-based 10-23-year-olds from Tlaxcala, Mexico, a region where urinary biomarkers demonstrated early kidney damage associated with exposure to inorganic toxins in a pediatric population. We calculated their eGFR using CKiD-U25, modified Schwartz, the first and modified Pottel full-age spectrum (FAS), and CKD-EPI formulae. Correlation analysis characterized the CKD stage stratified by age and sex. Results: At baseline, the median age was 13 (IQR:12,15) years, and 55% were female. Median CKiD-U25 eGFR was 96.9 (IQR:83.3,113.3) mL/min/1.73m2, significantly lower than the CKD-EPI eGFR which was 140.8 (IQR:129.9,149.3) mL/min/1.73m2 (p75mL/min/1.73 m2 in younger age and female sex. Modified Schwartz identified 281(26.4%) measurements as having CKD 2 and 3 (2+), U25 identified 401 (37.7%) measurements as having CKD 2+, FAS identified 267 (25.1%) and modified FAS identified 282 (30%) measurements as having CKD 2+, and CKD-EPI identified 51 (4.8%) measurements as having CKD 2+, respectively. Conclusions: In this population, there needed to be better agreement between the various eGFR formulae. CKD-EPI identifies substantially fewer at-risk participants as having CKD.