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Analysis of urinary trace element levels in general population of Wuhan in central China

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Abstract

Trace element distribution in the human body varies across regions and countries due to their different living environment and lifestyle. Thus, it is of great significance to investigate the reference level of trace element in a specific population. Wuhan is the largest metropolitan area in central China with highly developed heavy industries. This study aimed at determining the reference urinary distribution in general populations of Wuhan for nine trace elements (Cr, Mn, Cu, As, Se, Cd, Hg, Tl, Pb), and analyzed their associations with age, sex, and the kidney function. In total, 226 healthy adults not exposed to these trace elements were recruited, and the first-morning urine specimens were analyzed by using ICP-MS-based method. Our results showed higher urinary levels for As and Cd in Wuhan population when compared with other countries, while other element levels were almost equivalent. Sex difference existed for urinary Cu, Mn, As, Tl, and Pb. And urinary Cd, Tl, and Pb levels were associated with the glomerular filtration rate. Almost all these urinary elements showed significant inter-correlations, especially for Cu but except for Mn. This study provides systematic information regarding urinary trace element levels in residents of Wuhan in central China, and shall be of importance for future environmental and occupational biomonitoring.

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Abbreviations

ICP-MS:

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer

LoQ:

Limit of quantification

CR:

Creatinine

eGFR:

Estimate glomerular filtration rate

EQA:

External quality assessment

IQA:

Internal quality assessment

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Funding

The work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31600666).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, People’s Republic of China

    Hao-Long Zeng, Chang-Wen-Bo Liu, Jie Lu, Xu Wang & Liming Cheng

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  1. Hao-Long Zeng
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  2. Chang-Wen-Bo Liu
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  3. Jie Lu
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  4. Xu Wang
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  5. Liming Cheng
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Hao-Long Zeng or Liming Cheng.

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Ethical approval was received from Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Review Board in Wuhan, China.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues

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Zeng, HL., Liu, CWB., Lu, J. et al. Analysis of urinary trace element levels in general population of Wuhan in central China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 27823–27831 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05973-7

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