Kidneys and Metals Problem Set

Problem 8: Examples of metals that harm the kidneys

Itai-itai byo is a disease found among Japanese women. Scientists believe that it is caused by eating rice grown in soil containing _____________.

A.	lead
B.	mercury
C.	cadmium Cadmium is found in some soils in very high concentration. In Japan, women who eat rice grown on cadmium rich soils have anemia, damaged kidney tubules, and bone and mineral loss. Scientists believe they understand some of the mechanisms by which cadmium causes damage. Normally cadmium is excreted from cells when it binds to a protein called metallothionein (CdMT). This serves to protect most cells from damage, but in the kidneys the cadmium metal-protein complex is easily absorbed in the tubules. Once inside the kidney cells, the cadmium is released from the MT protein and can accumulate to toxic levels.
D.	chromium