Effect of Cadmium Exposure on Serum Amylase Activity in Cadmium Electroplating Workers

Abstract

Objective. The effect of cadmium exposure on serum amylase activity has been monitored in cadmium plating workers of Bangalore City (India).Methods. Fifty subjects using cadmium during electroplating formed the study group. An equal number of age–sex matched subjects working in administrative sections formed the control group. Urinary cadmium levels were determined by using a flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum amylase activity was determined by using spectrophotometric method. Results. A significant increase of urine cadmium and serum amylase activity was noted in the subjects of the study group as compared with the subjects in the control group. The level of serum amylase activity was positively and significantly associated with cadmium levels in urine. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the effect of cadmium exposure on serum amylase activity. The analysis showed that the study subjects who had urine cadmium levels greater than 5-μg/ g of creatinine and cadmium exposure we...