Journal Article

Effects of Selenium and Cadmium on Human Liver and Kidney Functions in Exposed Black Shale Areas

Xu, Keyuan, Li, Minglong, Peng, Min, Huang, Chuying, Qiu, Liang, Sun, Guogen, Zhang, Kai, Ai, Xunru

2024

Overview

Animal experiments suggest that selenium (Se) may alleviate cadmium (Cd) toxicity in animal liver and kidneys, but its effect on human liver and kidneys remains uncertain. In China, areas with black shale have shown elevated levels of Se and Cd. According to the USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) evaluation method, the soil and rice in these areas pose significant risks. In black shale regions such as Enshi and Zhuxi County, residents who long‐term consume local rice may surpass safe Se and Cd intake levels. Significantly high median blood Se (B‐Se) and urine selenium (U‐Se) levels were detected in these areas, measuring 416.977 μg/L and 352.690 μg/L and 104.527 μg/L and 51.820 μg/L, respectively. Additionally, the median blood Cd (B‐Cd) and urine Cd (U‐Cd) levels were markedly elevated at 4.821 μg/L and 3.848 μg/L and at 7.750 μg/L and 7.050 μg/L, respectively, indicating substantial Cd exposure. Nevertheless, sensitive liver and kidney biomarkers in these groups fall within healthy reference ranges, suggesting a potential antagonistic effect of Se on Cd in the human body. Therefore, the USEPA method may not accurately assess Cd risk in exposed black shale areas. However, within the healthy ranges, residents in the Enshi study area had significantly greater median levels of serum creatinine and cystatin C, measuring 67.3 μmol/L and 0.92 mg/L, respectively, than those in Zhuxi did (53.6 μmol/L and 0.86 mg/L). In cases of excessive Se and Cd exposure, high Se and Cd levels impact the filtration function of the human kidney to some extent. Plain Language Summary Se is an essential trace element for humans. However, excessive intake of Se can harm humans. Cd is a carcinogen and a chronic potent nephrotoxin that mostly accumulates in the human liver and kidneys. Animal experiments suggest that Se may alleviate Cd toxicity in animal liver and kidneys, but its effect on human liver and kidneys remains uncertain. In China, areas with black shale exposure have shown elevated levels of Se and Cd. According to the USEPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency) evaluation method, the soil and rice in these areas pose significant risks. Our results suggested that the exposed black shale areas are simultaneously enriched with Se and Cd. However, residents in these areas were exposed to excessive Se and Cd long‐term without significant damage to liver and kidney functions. Therefore, the USEPA method may not accurately assess Cd risk in exposed black shale areas. The risk assessment of heavy metals in high‐Se geological background areas cannot be separated from human health surveys. Our study provides evidence for the antagonistic effects of Se and Cd on the human body. Key Points Residents in exposed black shale areas consume excessive Se and Cd through local rice Human liver and kidney functions are not significantly damaged in exposed black shale areas The USEPA method may not accurately assess Cd risk in exposed black shale areas

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc,John Wiley and Sons Inc,American Geophysical Union (AGU)
• Subject: Aerosols / Aerosols and Particles / antagonism / Atmospheric Composition and Structure / Biogeosciences / Biomarkers / black shale‐exposed area / Blood / Cadmium / Drinking water / enshi / Environmental protection / Food / Hydrology / Kidneys / Li, Yang / Liver / liver and kidney functions / Marine Pollution / Megacities and Urban Environment / Metals / Natural Hazards / New Fields (Not Classifiable under Other Headings) / Oceanography: Biological and Chemical / Oceanography: General / Paleoceanography / Pollution: Urban and Regional / Pollution: Urban, Regional and Global / Rice / Risk assessment / Selenium / selenium and cadmium / Shales / Soils / Soils/Pedology / Towns / Toxicity / Trace elements / Urban Systems / USEPA method