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Mediation and moderation by inflammation and dietary patterns in heavy metal exposure effects on kidney function

Summary

This study found that exposure to heavy metals like lead and cadmium damages kidney function by triggering inflammation in the body. Interestingly, what you eat matters significantly – a healthy diet can help protect your kidneys from heavy metal damage, while an unhealthy, pro-inflammatory diet makes the damage worse. The research suggests that eating better may be an effective way to reduce kidney disease risk from environmental pollution exposure.

Background

Heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury are highly nephrotoxic and increase the risk of chronic kidney disease. The potential roles of inflammatory responses and dietary patterns in the relationship between heavy metal exposure and kidney disease remain underexplored.

Objective

This study examines the heavy metal exposure-inflammatory response-kidney function decline pathway and the modulating role of dietary patterns in heavy metal-induced kidney damage using cross-sectional NHANES data from 2005-2018.

Results

Individual and combined exposures to blood heavy metals were negatively associated with eGFR and positively associated with UACR. SIRI mediated the effects of heavy metal exposure on kidney function, with stronger effects for individual than combined exposures. DII exacerbated nephrotoxicity while HEI2020 provided protective effects.

Conclusion

Heavy metal exposure impairs kidney function through inflammation-mediated pathways. Dietary patterns significantly modulate heavy metal nephrotoxicity, with pro-inflammatory diets exacerbating and healthy diets ameliorating kidney damage. These findings suggest dietary interventions may mitigate heavy metal-induced kidney disease risk.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Cross-sectional Study,
  • Source: PMID: 41272095, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-25320-w
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