Parathyroid hormone concentration in the serum of people with cadmium-induced renal damage.

Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and renal functions were measured in thirty subjects with cadmium-induced renal damage and in the same number of control subjects. The negative correlations between PTH and creatinine clearance (Ccr) and between PTH and percentage renal phosphorus reabsorption (% TRP) were significant in the cadmium (Cd)-exposed group. Serum PTH concentrations were clearly high in two cases of the cadmium-exposed group. Their renal functions decreased severely compared with those of the other Cd-exposed people. The present study indicates that chronic cadmium intoxication could cause increased secretions of PTH, which may be related to cadmium-induced bone damage.