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Urinary Metals Concentrations and Biomarkers of Autoimmunity among Navajo and Nicaraguan Men

Author

Listed:
  • Madeleine K. Scammell

    (Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
    Equal contribution first authors.)

  • Caryn Sennett

    (Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA
    Equal contribution first authors.)

  • Rebecca L. Laws

    (Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Robert L. Rubin

    (Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA)

  • Daniel R. Brooks

    (Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Juan José Amador

    (Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Damaris López-Pilarte

    (Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Oriana Ramirez-Rubio

    (Department of Epidemiology, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • David J. Friedman

    (Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA)

  • Michael D. McClean

    (Department of Environmental Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Navajo Birth Cohort Study Team

    (Navajo Birth Cohort Study Team members are listed in Appendix A .)

  • Johnnye Lewis

    (College of Pharmacy, Community Environmental Health Program, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA)

  • Esther Erdei

    (College of Pharmacy, Community Environmental Health Program, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA)

Abstract

Metals are suspected contributors of autoimmune disease among indigenous Americans. However, the association between metals exposure and biomarkers of autoimmunity is under-studied. In Nicaragua, environmental exposure to metals is also largely unexamined with regard to autoimmunity. We analyzed pooled and stratified exposure and outcome data from Navajo ( n = 68) and Nicaraguan ( n = 47) men of similar age and health status in order to characterize urinary concentrations of metals, compare concentrations with the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) male population, and examine the associations with biomarkers of autoimmunity. Urine samples were analyzed for metals via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Serum samples were examined for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) at 1:160 and 1:40 dilutions, using an indirect immunofluorescence assay and for specific autoantibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Logistic regression analyses evaluated associations of urinary metals with autoimmune biomarkers, adjusted for group (Navajo or Nicaraguan), age, and seafood consumption. The Nicaraguan men had higher urinary metal concentrations compared with both NHANES and the Navajo for most metals; however, tin was highest among the Navajo, and uranium was much higher in both populations compared with NHANES. Upper tertile associations with ANA positivity at the 1:160 dilution were observed for barium, cesium, lead, strontium and tungsten.

Suggested Citation

  • Madeleine K. Scammell & Caryn Sennett & Rebecca L. Laws & Robert L. Rubin & Daniel R. Brooks & Juan José Amador & Damaris López-Pilarte & Oriana Ramirez-Rubio & David J. Friedman & Michael D. McClean , 2020. "Urinary Metals Concentrations and Biomarkers of Autoimmunity among Navajo and Nicaraguan Men," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-17, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:15:p:5263-:d:387745
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lauren Hund & Edward J. Bedrick & Curtis Miller & Gabriel Huerta & Teddy Nez & Sandy Ramone & Chris Shuey & Miranda Cajero & Johnnye Lewis, 2015. "A Bayesian framework for estimating disease risk due to exposure to uranium mine and mill waste on the Navajo Nation," Journal of the Royal Statistical Society Series A, Royal Statistical Society, vol. 178(4), pages 1069-1091, October.
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