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Sun Y, Li J, Qu Z, Yang Z, Jia X, Lin Y, He Q, Zhang L, Luo Y. Causal Associations between Serum Urea and Cancer: A Mendelian Randomization Study. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12040498. [PMID: 33805346 PMCID: PMC8066321 DOI: 10.3390/genes12040498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Urea is largely derived from the urea cycle reactions through hepatic detoxification of free ammonia and cleared by urination, and the serum urea level is a crucial medical indicator for measuring the kidney function in patients with nephropathy; however, investigative revelations pointing to the serum urea level as a risk factor for cancer are very scarce, and relevant studies are restricted by potential biases. We aimed to explore the causal relationships of the serum urea level with cancer development by focusing on renal cell carcinoma (RCC) using the Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses. Summary estimates were collected from the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method based on six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The selected SNPs related to the serum urea were obtained from a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 13,312 European participants. The summary statistics of RCC were also available from public databases (IARC, n = 5219 cases, n = 8011 controls). Sensitivity analyses included the weighted median and MR-Egger methods. Serum urea was inversely associated with RCC in females (effect = 1.93; 95% CI: 1.24 to 3.01; p = 0.004) but exhibited null association with RCC in males, breast cancer (BRCA) in both genders and prostate cancer (PCa) in males. Similar conclusions were also drawn from the weighted median and MR-Egger. These findings reveal an intriguing link between serum urea and cancer risks for the very first time. Without ambiguity, the serum urea is causatively related to RCC specifically in females, although the mechanism(s) by which urea is involved in RCC development remains to be experimentally/clinically investigated. Our studies may well provide novel insights for RCC diagnosis, intervention and/or therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yandi Sun
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.S.); (J.L.); (Z.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (Q.H.); (L.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention of China National Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jingjia Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.S.); (J.L.); (Z.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (Q.H.); (L.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention of China National Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zihao Qu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China;
- Orthopedic Research Institute of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ze Yang
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.S.); (J.L.); (Z.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (Q.H.); (L.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention of China National Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xueyao Jia
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.S.); (J.L.); (Z.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (Q.H.); (L.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention of China National Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yindan Lin
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.S.); (J.L.); (Z.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (Q.H.); (L.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention of China National Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Qian He
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.S.); (J.L.); (Z.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (Q.H.); (L.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention of China National Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lihong Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.S.); (J.L.); (Z.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (Q.H.); (L.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention of China National Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Yan Luo
- Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Institute of the Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Y.S.); (J.L.); (Z.Y.); (X.J.); (Y.L.); (Q.H.); (L.Z.)
- Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention of China National Ministry of Education, Hangzhou 310058, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-1875-713-6369
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Urea has been utilized as a reductant in diesel fuels to lower emission of nitrogen oxides, igniting interest in probable human health hazards associated with exposure to exogenous urea. Here, we summarize and update key findings on potential health effects of exogenous urea, including carcinogenicity. RECENT FINDINGS No definitive target organs for oral exposure were identified; however, results in animal studies suggest that the liver and kidney could be potential target organs of urea toxicity. The available human-subject literature suggests that the impact on lung function is minimal. Based on the literature on exogenous urea, we concluded that there was inadequate information to assess the carcinogenic potential of urea, or perform a quantitative assessment to derive reference values. Given the limited information on exogenous urea, additional research to address gaps for exogenous urea should include long-term cancer bioassays, two-generation reproductive toxicity studies, and mode-of-action investigations.
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Pohanka M. Toxicology and the biological role of methanol and ethanol: Current view. Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc Czech Repub 2015; 160:54-63. [PMID: 26006090 DOI: 10.5507/bp.2015.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alcohol variants such as ethanol and methanol are simple organic compounds widely used in foods, pharmaceuticals, chemical synthesis, etc. Both are becoming an emerging health problem; abuse of ethanol containing beverages can lead to disparate health problems and methanol is highly toxic and unfit for consumption. METHODS AND RESULTS This review summarizes the basic knowledge about ethanol and methanol toxicity, the effect mechanism on the body, the current care of poisoned individuals and the implication of alcohols in the development of diseases. Alcohol related dementia, stroke, metabolic syndrome and hepatitis are discussed as well. Besides ethanol, methanol toxicity and its biodegradation pathways are addressed. CONCLUSIONS The impact of ethanol and methanol on the body is shown as case reports, along with a discussion on the possible implication of alcohol in Alzheimer's disease and antidotal therapy for methanol poisoning. The role of ethanol in cancer and degenerative disorders seems to be underestimated given the current knowledge. Treatment in case of poisoning is another issue that remains unresolved even though effective protocols and drugs exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miroslav Pohanka
- Faculty of Military Health Sciences, University of Defense, Trebesska 1575, Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
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Hansmeier N, Chao TC, Goldman LR, Witter FR, Halden RU. Prioritization of biomarker targets in human umbilical cord blood: identification of proteins in infant blood serving as validated biomarkers in adults. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2012; 120:764-769. [PMID: 22538116 PMCID: PMC3346780 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1104190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2011] [Accepted: 01/27/2012] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early diagnosis represents one of the best lines of defense in the fight against a wide array of human diseases. Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is one of the first easily available diagnostic biofluids and can inform about the health status of newborns. However, compared with adult blood, its diagnostic potential remains largely untapped. OBJECTIVES Our goal was to accelerate biomarker research on UCB by exploring its detectable protein content and providing a priority list of potential biomarkers based on known proteins involved in disease pathways. METHODS We explored cord blood serum proteins by profiling a UCB pool of 12 neonates with different backgrounds using a combination of isoelectric focusing and liquid chromatography coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS/MS) and by comparing results with information contained in metabolic and disease databases available for adult blood. RESULTS A total of 1,210 UCB proteins were identified with a protein-level false discovery rate of ~ 5% as estimated by naïve target-decoy and MAYU approaches, signifying a 6-fold increase in the number of UCB proteins described to date. Identified proteins correspond to 138 different metabolic and disease pathways and provide a platform of mechanistically linked biomarker candidates for tracking disruptions in cellular processes. Moreover, among the identified proteins, 38 were found to be approved biomarkers for adult blood. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study advance current knowledge of the human cord blood serum proteome. They showcase the potential of UCB as a diagnostic medium for assessing infant health by detection and identification of candidate biomarkers for known disease pathways using a global, nontargeted approach. These biomarkers may inform about mechanisms of exposure-disease relationships. Furthermore, biomarkers approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for screening in adult blood were detected in UCB and represent high-priority targets for immediate validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Hansmeier
- Swette Center for Environmental Biotechnology, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA
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De Coster S, Koppen G, Bracke M, Schroijen C, Den Hond E, Nelen V, Van de Mieroop E, Bruckers L, Bilau M, Baeyens W, Schoeters G, van Larebeke N. Pollutant effects on genotoxic parameters and tumor-associated protein levels in adults: a cross sectional study. Environ Health 2008; 7:26. [PMID: 18522717 PMCID: PMC2442593 DOI: 10.1186/1476-069x-7-26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2008] [Accepted: 06/03/2008] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study intended to investigate whether residence in areas polluted by heavy industry, waste incineration, a high density of traffic and housing or intensive use of pesticides, could contribute to the high incidence of cancer observed in Flanders. METHODS Subjects were 1583 residents aged 50-65 from 9 areas with different types of pollution. Cadmium, lead, p,p'-DDE, hexachlorobenzene, PCBs and dioxin-like activity (Calux test) were measured in blood, and cadmium, t,t'-muconic acid and 1-hydroxypyrene in urine. Effect biomarkers were prostate specific antigen, carcinoembryonic antigen and p53 protein serum levels, number of micronuclei per 1000 binucleated peripheral blood cells, DNA damage (comet assay) in peripheral blood cells and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine in urine. Confounding factors were taken into account. RESULTS Overall significant differences between areas were found for carcinoembryonic antigen, micronuclei, 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine and DNA damage. Compared to a rural area with mainly fruit production, effect biomarkers were often significantly elevated around waste incinerators, in the cities of Antwerp and Ghent, in industrial areas and also in other rural areas. Within an industrial area DNA strand break levels were almost three times higher close to industrial installations than 5 kilometres upwind of the main industrial installations (p < 0.0001). Positive exposure-effect relationships were found for carcinoembryonic antigen (urinary cadmium, t,t'-muconic acid, 1-hydroxypyrene and blood lead), micronuclei (PCB118), DNA damage (PCB118) and 8-hydroxy-deoxyguanosine (t,t'-muconic acid, 1-hydroxypyrene). Also, we found significant associations between values of PSA above the p90 and higher values of urinary cadmium, between values of p53 above the p90 and higher serum levels of p,p'-DDE, hexachlorobenzene and marker PCBs (PCB 138, 153 and 180) and between serum levels of p,p'-DDE above the p90 and higher serum values of carcinoembryonic antigen. Significant associations were also found between effect biomarkers and occupational or lifestyle parameters. CONCLUSION Levels of internal exposure, and residence near waste incinerators, in cities, or close to important industries, but not in areas with intensive use of pesticides, showed positive correlations with biomarkers associated with carcinogenesis and thus probably contribute to risk of cancer. In some rural areas, the levels of these biomarkers were not lower than in the rest of Flanders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam De Coster
- Study Centre for Carcinogenesis and Primary Prevention of Cancer, Department of Radiotherapy, Nuclear Medicine, and Experimental Cancerology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185 3K3, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gudrun Koppen
- Environmental toxicology, Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Marc Bracke
- Laboratory of Experimental Cancerology, Department of Radiotherapy, Nuclear Medicine, and Experimental Cancerology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185 P7, 9000 Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Carmen Schroijen
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Analytical and Environmental Chemistry (ANCH), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Elly Den Hond
- Environmental toxicology, Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Vera Nelen
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Els Van de Mieroop
- Provincial Institute of Hygiene, Kronenburgstraat 45, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Liesbeth Bruckers
- University of Hasselt, University Campus, Building D, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Maaike Bilau
- Ghent University, Department of Public Health, UZ 2 Blok A, De Pintelaan 185, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Willy Baeyens
- Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Analytical and Environmental Chemistry (ANCH), Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Greet Schoeters
- Environmental toxicology, Flemish Institute of Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Nik van Larebeke
- Study Centre for Carcinogenesis and Primary Prevention of Cancer, Department of Radiotherapy, Nuclear Medicine, and Experimental Cancerology, Ghent University Hospital, De Pintelaan 185 3K3, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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