The Effect of Cadmium on Steroid Hormones and Their Receptors in Women with Uterine Myomas

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is one of the environmental metalloestrogens, and its role in uterine tissues has not yet been fully elucidated. The aim of the study was to investigate estrogenic properties of Cd in uterine tissues by analyzing the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) as well as estrogen and progesterone levels in serum and Cd concentrations in blood and tissues. The samples of tissues (leiomyoma and surrounding myometrium) collected intrasurgically and blood samples drawn from 53 women (age 39 to 52 years) with uterine myomas were thoroughly analyzed. In the study group, blood Cd concentration ranged from 0.33 to 3.5 μg/L. Cd concentration in leiomyoma tissues was twice as low [corrected] as that in surrounding myometrium (0.047 and 0.075 μg Cd/g [corrected] wet tissue, respectively), albeit the difference was not statistically significant. Cd concentrations in blood significantly correlated with Cd concentrations in tissues (leiomyoma and surrounding myometrium). The measurement of ER expression showed no difference between leiomyoma tissues and surrounding myometrium. The statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between ER expression and Cd concentration in both tissues under study. An additional statistical analysis (path analysis) demonstrated the correlation of uterine tissue levels of Cd and ER expression. However, there was no association between ER expression in both tissues and E(2) level in serum. Our results suggest a metalloestrogenic effect of Cd by way of ER stimulation in the uterus.

The effect of cadmium on the coagulation and fibrinolytic system in women with uterine endometrial cancer and myoma

“…The levels of cadmium accumulated in the myometrium surrounding the neoplastic tissue were higher than in the neoplastic tissue itself, which probably results from the fact that these are fast growing tissues. In our earlier studies, statistical analysis also demon strated a significant correlation between BCd concentration and Cd level in uterine tissues [8,15]. Apart from the effect on internal organs, cadmium may also destroy the vascular endothelium, one of the primary targets of Cd toxicity [34,35].…”

“…Due to the endocrine-disrupting properties of cadmium [10], it has been suggested that environmental exposure to it may cause estrogen-dependent diseases such as breast cancer and endometrial cancer [11][12][13]. Moreover, although uterine myomas belong to the group of hormone-dependent tumors, the participation of cadmium in their etiology has not been fully explained [14][15][16]. Our earlier studies on women with myoma and endometrial cancer showed the accumulation of cadmium in the affected tissues.…”

“…between uterine tissue levels of Cd and ER (estrogen receptor) expression in women with myoma was identified [15]. In cancer patients, hyperviscosity may be a physiological link between "Traussean's syndrome" (carcinoma-induced coagulopathy), thrombosis and metastases [18,19].…”

Increased urinary cobalt and whole blood concentrations of cadmium and lead in women with uterine leiomyomata: Findings from the ENDO Study

“…Still, past research has demonstrated a correlation between estrogen receptor expression and cadmium concentration within uterine myomas, suggesting this metal may contribute to the growth of fibroids through estrogen receptor activation. Whole blood cadmium concentrations have correlated well with concentrations in leiomyoma tissue [35]. …”

“…While it is feasible that fibroids may serve as tissue reservoir, at present there are no data on trace element uptake within leiomyomas to corroborate this hypothesis. One small study found decreased concentrations of cadmium [35] and iron in leiomyomata compared with normal uterine muscle, and increased magnesium and Mg/Ca ratio [42]. Concentrations of zinc and copper in leiomyoma were not significantly different from those in surrounding normal myometrium [43].…”