Plasma Nickel Levels Correlate with Low Muscular Strength and Renal Function Parameters in Patients with Prostate Cancer

Abstract

Nickel is associated with cancer in occupational exposure. However, few studies have been devoted to analyzing the effects of nickel at environmental concentrations in cancer patients. In this work, the concentration of nickel in blood samples from patients with prostate cancer (PCa) was evaluated because this metal displays androgenic and estrogenic effects that play a crucial role in prostate carcinogenesis and treatment. We, therefore, compared blood nickel concentration in patients with PCa (non-occupationally exposed) (n = 46) with those in control age-matched individuals (n = 46). We also analyzed if there was any association between sociodemographic factors, clinical variables, geriatric evaluation assessment results, blood cell counts, or biochemical, androgen and estrogen concentrations. Using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectroscopy on the plasma samples, we observed a mean nickel level of 4.97 ± 1.20 µg/L in the PCa group and 3.59 ± 0.49 µg/L in the control group, with a non-significant effect (p = 0.293) between the two groups. The nickel concentration was significantly correlated with patient age (p = 0.005) and reduced handgrip strength (p = 0.003). Regarding biochemical parameters, significant associations were found with the renal glomerular filtration rate (p = 0.024) and blood urea levels (p = 0.016). No significant correlations were observed with other blood analytical parameters or testosterone or estradiol levels. These specific renal function and muscle strength effects were observed at environmental nickel exposure levels believed to be safe or at least far from the high concentrations observed after occupational exposure. Therefore, these parameters deserve further study, given that they could help pinpoint further public health concerns regarding nickel exposure in the general population.

The association between blood nickel level and handgrip strength in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis

“…After adjusted for some confounding factors, we also found that for every 1ug/L increase in blood nickel level, the patient’s HGS decreases by 2.81 kg. Our results were in accordance with previous study [ 20 ], which showed significant associations between plasma nickel level and HGS in other population.…”

“…Noteworthily, previous animal researchers found that nickel could affect muscle development [ 18 , 19 ]. In addition, a recent study reported that plasma nickel level correlated with low muscular strength measured with the handgrip test in non-dialysis patients, thus suggesting a possible link between these two parameters [ 20 ]. Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, association between blood nickel and HGS in patients undergoing MHD has not been elucidated yet.…”