Association of urinary volatile organic compound metabolites with kidney functions and associated exposure risk factors
- VernacularTitle:挥发性有机物尿液代谢物与肾功能的关联及暴露风险因素
- Author:
Qi XIE
1
;
Jingyi YUAN
2
;
Zhiping NIU
1
;
Yuanzhuo HU
1
;
Yiwei LIU
1
;
Jiufeng LI
1
;
Zhuohui ZHAO
3
Author Information
- Publication Type:Selectedarticle
- Keywords: volatile organic compound; renal function injury; urine metabolite; source of exposure; environmental exposure
- From: Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine 2025;42(11):1281-1288
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Background Exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been observed in both living and working environments. Volatile organic compounds metabolites (VOCMs) in urine can be used to assess the exposure to VOCs and potentially cause adverse effects on human body. Objective To quantitatively evaluate urinary VOCMs and their associations with renal function damage, and further trace the characteristics of potential environmental exposure to provide scientific evidence for effective prevention measures. Methods The study included a total of
6028 samples from four cross-sectional studies in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2011 and 2018, with exposure and health outcomes matched. Generalized linear models were employed to assess the associations of urinary VOCMs (urinary creatinine adjusted) with urinary protein levels and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), with coviriables including gender, age, body mass index, education, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise frequency, diabetes, and hypertension. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) approach was utilized to analyze the effects of mixed exposure and to rank the contribution of individual VOCMs. The associations between VOCMs and associated living environments and occupational exposure characteristics were further investigated. Results Among the enrolled study participants (n=6028 ), a total of 11 urinary VOCMs were measured, with 10 metabolites having a positive rate of over 80% (84.59%-99.99%). There were 604 individuals (10.0%) having urinary protein abnormalities and2831 individuals (47.0%) with eGFR reduced. Through a single and a multiple generalized linear model, 5 VOCMs exhibited statistically significant associations with urinary protein abnormalities and/or reduced eGFR levels (P<0.05): N-acetyl-S-(N-methylaminocarbonyl)-L-cysteine (AMC), N-acetyl-S-(2-carboxyethyl)-L-cysteine (CEM), N-acetyl-S-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)-L-cysteine (DHB), 2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetic acid (MAD), and N-acetyl-S-(4-hydroxy-2-butenyl)-L-cysteine (MB3). The WQS index indicated a significantly positive association between VOCMs and urinary protein abnormalities, and DHB contributed the most. The analysis on the potential sources of VOCs exposure showed that those who worked as a private entrepreneur or an employee (vs. government employees), rent houses (vs. owned real estate), had less number of rooms in the residence, fueled cars at self-service gas stations, and inhaled paint fumes in the past 48 h associated with higher VOCMs (P < 0.05) and DHB contributed the most. Conclusion Multiple VOCMs in urine are associated with significantly kidney function injuries. The mixture exposure to VOCMs is significantly associated with higher risks of urinary protein abnormalities. Occupational category, housing ownership, ways to fuel a car, and inhalation of paint odors are closely related with VOCMs levels.
