Differential accumulation of Cadmium and Nickel in pleural fluid across fibrotic vs obstructive lung diseases, a study from Larkana

Abstract

Background: Environmental exposure to harmful heavy metals is increasingly associated with chronic respiratory conditions like asthma chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Known respiratory toxins nickel (Ni) and cadmium (Cd) can build up in bodily fluids and accelerate the course of illness.

Methodology: Larkana Pakistan, was the location of this cross-sectional study. Twenty healthy controls and fifty patients ages 25 to 44 with verified diagnoses of IPF, COPD and asthma were included. Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry (ETAAS) and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS) were used to measure the concentrations of nickel and cadmium in pleural fluid samples that were obtained under sterile conditions. Metal levels in the fibrotic obstructive and control groups were compared statistically using a significance level of p 0. 05.

Results: Patients with respiratory conditions had considerably higher levels of nickel and cadmium than did healthy controls. IPF patients had the highest concentrations, with obstructive disease groups coming in second. In IPF and obstructive diseases, the levels of cadmium were 5. 82 ± 1. 34 µg/L and 3. 96 ± 1. 12 µg/L respectively and nickel levels were 7. 21 ± 1. 65 µg/L and 5. 34 ± 1. 41 µg/L. Abnormal accumulation was indicated by all values exceeding the normal reference ranges.

Conclusion: Patients with fibrotic and obstructive lung diseases exhibit high levels of nickel and cadmium in pleural fluid, with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) showing a stronger correlation between lung pathology and heavy metal exposure. These metals may serve as biomarkers for environmental impacts on chronic respiratory conditions.