Urinary Arsenic Concentrations Research Articles

Contribution of diet and other factors for urinary concentrations of total arsenic and arsenic species: data for US children, adolescents, and adults.

A comprehensive analysis of the associations between the consumptions of 17 food products with urinary concentrations of arsenobetaine, total arsenic, arsenous acid, dimethylarsinic acid (UDMA), monomethylarsonic acid (UMMA), and total inorganic arsenic for US children aged 3-5 years (N = 439), children aged 6-11 years (N = 2139), adolescents aged 12-19 years (N = 2434), and adults aged >= 20 years (N = 10902) was conducted. Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2005-2016 were used for this study. Concentrations of arsenobetaine were as much as > 15 times higher among consumers of fish/shellfish than non-consumers for children aged 6-11 years, > 12 times higher for children aged 3-5 years, > 13 times higher for adolescents, and > 7 times higher for adults. Consumption of rice as opposed to non-consumption of rice was associated with as much as 36.5% higher concentrations of total arsenic, 12.7% higher concentrations of arsenous acid, 43.9% higher concentrations of UDMA, 18.2% higher concentrations of UMMA, and 14.1% higher concentrations of total inorganic arsenic. Thus, consumption of fish/shell fish and rice was associated with higher concentrations of organic/inorganic arsenic. In addition, consumption of alcohol was also found to be associated with higher concentrations of organic/inorganic arsenic. However, consumption of milk and milk products, vegetables, organ and other meats, and nutritional drinks was found to be associated with lower concentrations of organic/inorganic arsenic. Thus, while consumption of several foods is associated with higher concentrations of arsenic, there are also foods whose consumption is associated with decreased concentrations of arsenic. Further studies are needed to identify foods that may lead to decreased concentrations of arsenic and as such arsenic toxicity.

Depletion of S-adenosylmethionine pool and promoter hypermethylation of Arsenite methyltransferase in arsenic-induced skin lesion individuals: A case-control study from West Bengal, India

Methylation of arsenic compounds in the human body occurs following a series of biochemical reactions in the presence of methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and catalyzed by arsenite methyltransferase (AS3MT). However, the extent and pattern of methylation differs among the arsenic exposed individuals leading to differential susceptibility. The mechanism for such inter-individual difference is enigmatic. In the present case-control study we recruited exposed individuals with and without arsenic induced skin lesion (WSL and WOSL), and an unexposed cohort, each having 120 individuals. Using ELISA, we observed a reduction in SAM levels (p < 0.05) in WSL compared to WOSL. Linear regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between urinary arsenic concentration and SAM concentration between the study groups. qRT-PCR revealed a significant down-regulation (p < 0.01) of key regulatory genes like MTHFR, MTR, MAT2A and MAT2B of SAM biogenesis pathway in WSL cohort. Methylation-specific PCR revealed significant promoter hypermethylation of AS3MT (WSL vs. WOSL: p < 0.01) which resulted in its subsequent transcriptional repression (WSL vs. WOSL: p < 0.001). Linear regression analysis also showed a negative correlation between SAM concentration and percentage of promoter methylation. Taken together, these results indicate that reduction in SAM biogenesis along with a higher utilization of SAM results in a decreased availability of methyl donor. These along with epigenetic down-regulation of AS3MT may be responsible for higher susceptibility in arsenic exposed individuals.

Rare, Protein-Altering Variants in AS3MT and Arsenic Metabolism Efficiency: A Multi-Population Association Study.

Background:Common genetic variation in the arsenic methyltransferase (AS3MT) gene region is known to be associated with arsenic metabolism efficiency (AME), measured as the percentage of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA%) in the urine. Rare, protein-altering variants in AS3MT could have even larger effects on AME, but their contribution to AME has not been investigated.Objectives:We estimated the impact of rare, protein-coding variation in AS3MT on AME using a multi-population approach to facilitate the discovery of population-specific and shared causal rare variants.Methods:We generated targeted DNA sequencing data for the coding regions of AS3MT for three arsenic-exposed cohorts with existing data on arsenic species measured in urine: Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study (HEALS, ), Strong Heart Study (SHS, ), and New Hampshire Skin Cancer Study (NHSCS, ). We assessed the collective effects of rare (allele frequency ), protein-altering AS3MT variants on DMA%, using multiple approaches, including a test of the association between rare allele carrier status (yes/no) and DMA% using linear regression (adjusted for common variants in 10q24.32 region, age, sex, and population structure).Results:We identified 23 carriers of rare-protein-altering AS3MT variant across all cohorts (13 in HEALS and 5 in both SHS and NHSCS), including 6 carriers of predicted loss-of-function variants. DMA% was 6–10% lower in carriers compared with noncarriers in HEALS [ (95% CI: , )], SHS [ (95% CI: , )], and NHSCS [ (95% CI: , )]. In meta-analyses across cohorts, DMA% was 8.7% lower in carriers [ (95% CI: , )].Discussion:Rare, protein-altering variants in AS3MT were associated with lower mean DMA%, an indicator of reduced AME. Although a small percentage of the population (0.5–0.7%) carry these variants, they are associated with a 6–10% decrease in DMA% that is consistent across multiple ancestral and environmental backgrounds. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP8152

Inflammation biomarkers associated with arsenic exposure by drinking water and respiratory outcomes in indigenous children from three Yaqui villages in southern Sonora, México.

Environmental arsenic exposure in adults and children has been associated with a reduction in the expression of club cell secretory protein (CC16) and an increase in the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), both biomarkers of lung inflammation and negative respiratory outcomes. The objectives of this study were to determine if the levels of serum CC16 and MMP-9 and subsequent respiratory infections in children are associated with the ingestion of arsenic by drinking water. This cross-sectional study included 216 children from three Yaqui villages, Potam, Vicam, and Cocorit, with levels of arsenic in their ground water of 70.01 ± 21.85, 23.3 ± 9.99, and 11.8 ± 4.42 μg/L respectively. Total arsenic in water and urine samples was determined by inductively coupled plasma/optical emission spectrometry. Serum was analyzed for CC16 and MMP-9 using ELISA. The children had an average urinary arsenic of 79.39 μg/L and 46.8 % had levels above of the national concern value of 50 μg/L. Increased arsenic concentrations in drinking water and average daily arsenic intake by water were associated with decreased serum CC16 levels (β = − 0.12, 95% CI − 0.20, − 0.04 and β = − 0.10, 95% CI − 0.18, − 0.03), and increased serum MMP-9 levels (β = 0.35, 95% CI 0.22, 0.48 and β = 0.29, 95% CI 0.18, 0.40) at significant levels (P < 0.05). However, no association was found between levels of these serum biomarkers and urinary arsenic concentrations. In these children, reduced serum CC16 levels were significantly associated with increased risk of respiratory infections (OR = 0.34, 95% CI 0.13, 0.90). In conclusion, altered levels of serum CC16 and MMP-9 in the children may be due to the toxic effects of arsenic exposure through drinking water.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11356-021-13070-x.

Physical activity, body mass index and arsenic metabolism among Mexican women

BackgroundIn some epidemiological studies, a positive association of body mass index (BMI) with inorganic arsenic (iAs) metabolism parameters (percentage dimethylarsinic acid [%DMA] and secondary methylation index [SMI]) has been found. In iAs metabolism, S-Adenosyl methionine is converted to S-Adenosyl homocysteine. Sedentarism has been associated with a higher risk of hyperhomocysteinemia. Physical activity has shown an inconsistent negative association with BMI. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate whether physical activity is associated to iAs metabolism independently of BMI. MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional secondary analysis on 800 non-diabetic women, ≥18 years, who participated as population controls in a previous study on breast cancer in northern Mexico. Participants were interviewed about physical activity during their lifetime, and their weight and size were obtained. Urinary arsenic metabolites concentrations were determined by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. ResultsIn the study population, total arsenic ranged from 0.71 to 303.29 μg/L, and the lifetime average physical activity from 0 to 788.40 min/week. BMI was significantly and negatively associated with percentage monomethylarsonic acid (%MMA) and primary methylation index (PMI), and positively associated with %DMA, SMI and TMI, respectively. Likewise, physical activity was negatively associated with %iAs and %MMA, and positively associated with %DMA, SMI and TMI. These results remained after BMI was adjusted for physical activity and viceversa. ConclusionThis study confirms the relationship between BMI and iAs metabolism parameters and provides new evidence on the association between physical activity and iAs metabolism.

Increased urinary arsenic concentration in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus: a gender-independent, smoking-dependent exposure biomarker in older adults in Tehran.

Arsenic is ranked in the top ten environmental toxicants but its impact on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and its association with other human health effects is contradictory. We aimed in this study to compare the urinary arsenic concentration (u As) in older age adults (> 40years) and their T2DM subgroup in an age and gender-matched case control study to find the association of u As with, diet, oxidative stress, smoking, anthropometric factors, and lifestyle in our study participants. Face-to-face interviews based on structured questionnaires were conducted on 200 female and male volunteers (100 cases and 100 control). Considering the exclusion criteria, u As concentration and serum biomarkers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase) of 30 newly diagnosed T2DM and 30 control were determined by ICP-mass analysis and ELISA reader respectively. Despite the similarities in sociodemographic, diet, and lifestyle factors in males and females and their T2DM subgroups, a 4 times difference in u As levels between T2DM (93.7ng/L (32)) and their healthy counterparts (23.7ng/L (2.3)) without meaningful associations with gender, age, BMI, diet, and lifestyle was observed. Mean u As concentration in total population of smokers was significantly higher than non-smokers ((119ng/L vs. 22.5ng/L (p = 0.03)) and oxidative stress markers were not significantly higher in T2DM smokers than non-smokers. Chronic arsenic exposure through smoking could be contributed to the incidence of T2DM in older age adults. Oxidative stress markers were not significantly increased in smoker subgroup compared with non-smokers but except smoking pattern, other variables did not affect u As concentration. Precautionary measure to reduce the exposure of people with this element is recommended to prevent the arsenic-induced T2DM in human populations.

Environmental health survey for children residing near mining areas in South Gobi, Mongolia.

BackgroundWe evaluated the level and factors of heavy metal exposure to children residing in the Togttsetsii, Khanbogd, and Bayandalai soums of South Gobi province, Mongolia.MethodsA total of 118 children aged 9–12 years were surveyed, and the level of heavy metal exposure in their bodies was investigated. Exposure was investigated by measuring concentrations of heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and mercury in the blood; mercury concentration in the hair; and total arsenic in the urine.ResultsBlood cadmium concentration had geometric averages of 0.16 µg/L in the children from Bayandalai, 0.15 µg/L Tsogttsetsii, and 0.16 µg/L Khanbogd. Blood lead concentration showed a relatively higher geometric average of 7.42 µg/dL in the children from Bayandalai compared to 4.78 µg/dL and 5.15 µg/dL in those from Tsogttsetsii and Khanbogd, respectively. While blood mercury concentration was the highest in the children from Bayandalai, with a value of 0.38 µg/L, those from Tsogttsetsii and Khanbogd had similar concentrations of 0.29 µg/L and 0.29 µg/L, respectively. Hair mercury concentration was the highest in the children from Bayandalai, with a value of 78 µg/g, a particularly significant difference, with a concentration of 0.50 µg/g in those from Khanbogd. Urine arsenic concentration was the highest in the children from Khanbogd, with a value of 36.93 µg/L; it was 26.11 µg/L in those from Bayandalai and 23.89 µg/L in those from Tsogttsetsii.ConclusionsThe high blood lead concentration of children in Bayandalai was judged to be due to other factors in addition to mine exposure; the reason why blood and hair mercury concentration was higher in children from Bayandalai may have been due to exposure to many small-scale gold mines in the area. In the case of Khanbogd, it was estimated that the high arsenic level in urine was caused by the effect of mines.

Urinary Arsenic Species Concentrations and Related Factors among Residents Living near Abandoned Metal Mines

Urinary Arsenic Species Concentrations and Related Factors among Residents Living near Abandoned Metal Mines

Environmental doses of arsenic exposure are associated with increased reproductive-age male urinary hormone excretion and in vitro Leydig cell steroidogenesis

Humans are ubiquitously exposed to arsenic from multiple sources, and chronic arsenic exposure may be associated with male reproductive health. Although association regarding arsenic exposure and sex hormone secretion in blood has been reported, sex hormone excretion in urine studies is lacking. Urinary sex hormone excretion has emerged as a complementary strategy to evaluate gonadal function. Herein, we determined the associations between environmental exposure to arsenic and urinary sex hormone elimination and in vitro Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Concentrations of arsenic and testosterone (T), estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) in repeated urine samples were determined among 451 reproductive-age males. Moreover, an in vitro Leydig cell MLTC-1 steroidogenesis experiment was designed to simulate real-world scenarios of low human exposure. Multivariable linear regression models were used to assess the associations of urinary arsenic levels with urinary hormones. Urinary arsenic concentrations were positively associated with urinary sex hormone (T, E2, and P) levels. An in vitro test further demonstrated that a population-based environmental exposure range (0.01–5 μM) of arsenic induced Leydig cell steroidogenesis potency. Our results indicate that low-dose arsenic exposure exhibits an endocrine disrupting effect by stimulating Leydig cell steroidogenesis and accelerating urinary steroid excretion, which extends previous knowledge of the inverse association of high-dose arsenic exposure with sexual steroid production that is assumed to be anti-androgen.

Relationship between serum ferritin level and urinary arsenic concentration

relationship between serum ferritin level and urinary arsenic concentrationbackground: studies on the association between serum ferritin levels (s-ft) and urinary arsenic concentrations (u-as) are scarce. the objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between these two parameters using a large-scale nationwide representative sample of the korean. methods: a nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted to examine the relationship between serum ferritin levels and urinary arsenic concentrations in 1,826 men and 1,886 women over 19 years of age (aged 20-80 years), using data from the 2008-2009 korean national health and nutrition examination survey(knhanes). we used analysis of variance (anova) or chi-square test to estimate differences in the demographic and biochemical characteristics of participants. generalized linear models were also used to examine the associations between S-Ft and U-As. results: Mean values of s-ft gradually decreased in accordance with the quartiles of u-as (P-trend&lt;0.001). we found that increased u-as was associated with decreased s-ft (β=-0.01, p&lt;0.05) after adjusting for age, sex, bmi, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. in a sex stratified analysis, a significant association was stronger only in male (β=-0.04, p&lt;0.05), not in female(β=0.002, p=0.76). conclusions: we found a negative relationship between s-ft and u-as in a representative population sample of korean adult. our results suggested s-ft as a marker for evaluating early effect of environmental as exposure.keywords: arsenic; ferritin; knhanes;

Arsenic exposure and Measles Antibody Titers in the US Children: NHANES 2003-2004 and 2009-2010.

Background/Aim: Exposure to arsenic during childhood is associated with adverse health problems including cancers and non-cancerous diseases. However, little is known about its effect on vaccine-related humoral immunity in children. In this study, we examined the association between arsenic exposure and measles antibody titers in US children. Methods: The association between urinary arsenic and serum measles antibody levels in the US children aged between 6 and 11 was investigated, based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2003-2004 and 2009-2010. The total urinary arsenic level was calculated by summing inorganic arsenic and their metabolites (arsenite, arsenate, methylarsonic acid, and dimethylarsinic acid), and was divided by the level of urinary creatinine. The generalized linear regression was conducted to evaluate the association, adjusted for the cycle, age, race, undergrowth, secondhand smoking, and poverty index ratio. Stratified analyses were conducted by gender and serum folate levels using the median as cutoff (18.7 ng/mL). Results: The level of serum measles antibody titers decreased by 28.1% (95%CI: −44.2%, −12.0%) per tertile increase in the concentration of creatinine-adjusted urinary arsenic among boys with serum folate levels lower than 18.7 ng/ml. However, no associations were observed in boys with high serum folate levels and girls. Conclusion: Our stratified analysis showed the inverse association between arsenic exposure and measles antibody level among boys with lower folate intake. This study will provide the basis for an intervention strategy to protect children’s health from arsenic exposure.

Trends in Arsenic Exposure among the US population: Findings from the National Health and Nutritional Examinations Survey, 2007-2016

Background &amp; Objective: In the US, the new maximum contamination level for arsenic (10 µg/L) in the public drinking water system was effective from 2006. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the temporal trends in arsenic exposure from drinking water among the US population.Methods: We analyzed data of five consecutive cycles of the National Health and Nutritional Examinations Survey (2007-2016). The concentration of total urinary arsenic was estimated by subtracting organic arsenic species (arsenobetaine and arsenocholine) from total arsenic. We restricted to subjects with arsenobetaine levels below the limit of detection to minimize the effect of a major dietary organic arsenic. The trends of arsenic exposure in children and women of childbearing age were also investigated. Separate analyses were conducted by demographic factors, smoking status, and water sources.Results:The overall trend in arsenic exposure in the US population was decreasing (p&lt;0.001). Compared to 2007-2008, the arsenic exposure decreased by 19.3% (95% CI -29.2, -8.0) in 2015-2016. The decreasing trends in arsenic exposure were also shown in the most vulnerable populations such as children and women of childbearing age. In addition, other separate analyses showed decreasing trends over time. However, arsenic exposure was not changed significantly over the recent 10 years in well or rain cistern users.Conclusion:The arsenic exposure from drinking water decreased over 10 years in the US population. However, the exposure has not changed in people using wells, and legislative action and advocacy are needed to prevent arsenic exposure among well users.

The Effects of the Exposure to Neurotoxic Elements on Italian Schoolchildren Behavior

Background/Aim: Neurodevelopmental disorders are constantly increasing on a global scale. Some elements are known to be neurotoxic being able to interfere with neurons. In this study we assessed the neurobehavioral effect of the exposure to trace elements including lead, mercury, cadmium, manganese, arsenic and selenium among 6-12 years old children residing in Taranto area in Italy. Methods: A total of 299 children from 6 to 11 years were enrolled in the 12 primary schools located in the 5 sub-areas. Whole blood, urine and hair were collected while The Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), administered to the main teacher and to the mother were considered to identify problem behavior in children. The relationship between metal exposures and neurobehavioral outcomes was tested through linear mixed effects model and tobit regressions. Results: Blood lead mainly influenced social problems (beta 0.7; 95% CI 0.1, 1.4), aggressive behaviour (beta 0.9; 95% CI 0.2, 1.6), externalizing (beta 1.8; 95% CI 0.1, 3.5) and total problems (beta 1.9; 95% CI 0.2, 3.7). Urinary arsenic showed to have an impact on anxiety and depression (beta 0.4; 95% CI 0.1, 0.8), somatic problems (beta 0.6; 95% CI 0.1, 1.1), attention problems (beta 0.4; 95% CI 0.1, 0.7) and rule breaking behaviour (beta 0.4; 95% CI 0.1, 0.7). Conclusions: Overall, we were able to test that higher blood lead or urinary arsenic concentrations increase the risk of neurobehavioral problems. This is in line with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) priority list of hazardous substances where arsenic and lead are ranked as first and second respectively. No other studied elements appeared to have a statistically significant effect on children neurobehavior.

Inorganic arsenic-mediated upregulation of AS3MT promotes proliferation of nonsmall cell lung cancer cells by regulating cell cycle genes.

Long-term arsenic exposure can promote cancer through epigenetic mechanisms, and arsenite methyltransferase (AS3MT) plays an important role in this process. However, the expression patterns and mechanisms of AS3MT in arsenic carcinogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we found that the AS3MT was overexpressed in arsenic exposed population, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tissues, and A549 cells with sodium arsenite (NaAsO2 ) treatment for 48 hours. Besides, the level of AS3MT expression was positively correlated with the concentrations of urinary total arsenic (tAs), inorganic arsenic (iAs), methanearsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) in all subjects. Functional experiments demonstrated that siRNA-mediated knockdown of AS3MT significantly inhibited proliferation of A549 cells. Mechanism investigation revealed that silencing of AS3MT inhibited proliferation by increasing mRNA expression levels of p21 and E2F1, and inhibiting CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK6, Cyclin A2, Cyclin E1, Cyclin E2, and PCNA mRNA expression. Therefore, arsenic increased AS3MT expression in vivo and in vitro, which could directly act on the cell and affect the progression of NSCLC by regulating cell cycle genes.

Negative impacts exerted by elevated arsenic concentrations in drinking water on biochemical parameters in children living in a specific geochemical province

Introduction. There are geochemical provinces in Russia where refuse heaps from mining enterprises increase a share of water samples from drinking water supply sources that don’t conform to hygienic standards as per their sanitary and chemical parameters, including arsenic concentrations.Material and methods. Our research objects were drinking water samples taken in a specific geochemical province where arsenic concentrations in drinking water were increased and the situation was made even worse by a mill tailing belonging to a closed mining enterprise located there (the test territory). Our reference territory was another geochemical province where arsenic wasn’t detected in drinking water in excess concentrations and where no mill tailings were belonging to similar enterprises. We also took data on risk assessment and examined biological materials taken from children (blood, urine, and hair).Results. Poor quality of drinking water as for arsenic contents caused by specific conditions in a geochemical province and aggravated by a mill tailing belonging to a closed mining enterprise led to unacceptable risks of non-carcinogenic effects (up to 1.83∙10-2) produced on the cardiovascular and hormonal system, as well as on the gastrointestinal tract. Children who had to drink low quality water had arsenic in their blood, urine, and hair in concentrations which were up to 264 times higher than those in blood, urine, and hair of children from the reference group. Children who had elevated arsenic concentrations in urine (starting from 0.295 µg/ml), blood (starting from 0.006 µg/ml), and hair (starting from 14.59 µg/ml) had their laboratory test indices deviating from those in children from the reference group. Thus, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and creatinine concentrations in blood serum were 1.2-1.3 times higher than in the reference group. A contribution made by arsenic into biochemical indices deviating from the physiological standards varied from 16% to 97%.Conclusions. Geochemical provinces with excess arsenic concentrations and mill tailings belonging to mining enterprises, either closed or operating, require special attention. It is necessary to accomplish medical and preventive activities aimed at minimizing health risks; take into account peculiarities related to how this element accumulates in a body and detected negative changes in biochemical parameters.

Cohort profile: health effects monitoring programme in Ndilǫ, Dettah and Yellowknife (YKHEMP)

PurposeThe Yellowknife Health Effects Monitoring Programme (YKHEMP) was established to examine the relationship of exposure to arsenic and other chemicals of potential concern such as antimony, cadmium, lead, manganese and...

Urinary arsenic is associated with wasting and underweight status in young children in rural Bangladesh

BackgroundDeficits in child growth are associated with poor cognitive outcomes and an increased risk for infection and mortality globally. One hundred forty million people are chronically exposed to arsenic from contaminated drinking water worldwide. While arsenic exposure has been associated with cognitive developmental delays in children, there is limited research on the association between arsenic exposure and growth deficits in young children. PurposeThe objective of this study was to assess the association between chronic arsenic exposure and deficits in growth among children under 5 years in a rural setting in Bangladesh. MethodsUrinary arsenic measurements were collected from 465 children between the ages of 28 days–59 months in rural Matlab, Bangladesh, and analyzed by graphite furnace atomic absorption. Height and weight measurements were collected from children according to World Health Organization child growth standards. A z-score cutoff2 standard deviations below the mean was used to define stunting (height-for-age z-score), underweight (weight-for-age z-score), and wasting (weight-for-height z-score). ResultsChildren under 5 years with urinary arsenic concentrations in the third tertile (greater than 31 μg per liter (μg/L)) had a two times higher odds of being underweight after adjustment for age, creatinine, paternal education, breastfeeding, number of individuals using the same sleeping room, and physician-diagnosed pneumonia (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.29 (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.16, 4.52)). Children under 2 years of age had a two times higher odds of being wasted after adjustment for age, creatinine, paternal education, breastfeeding, number of individuals using the same sleeping room, and physician-diagnosed pneumonia (OR: 2.85 (95% CI: 1.18, 6.89)). ConclusionsThese findings suggest that arsenic exposure is associated with an increased odds of being wasted and underweight among young children in rural Bangladesh.

Effect of plasma selenium, red blood cell cadmium, total urinary arsenic levels, and eGFR on renal cell carcinoma

High total urinary arsenic concentrations and low estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) increase the risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). This study aimed to determine whether other metals or metalloids can affect RCC. A total of 401 patients with RCC and 774 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited between November 2006 and December 2012 in Taiwan. Surgical resection or image-guided biopsy of renal tumors was performed to pathologically verify RCC. High-performance liquid chromatography linked to a hydride generator and atomic absorption spectrometer were used to measure the urinary arsenic species concentrations. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine plasma selenium and red blood cell cadmium and lead concentration. Plasma selenium levels were inversely related to RCC, whereas red blood cell cadmium levels were directly related to RCC. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were 0.14 (95% CI, 0.10–0.20) and 1.33 (95% CI, 1.03–1.72), respectively. A low plasma selenium level tended to interact with high total urinary arsenic levels or with high red blood cell cadmium concentration to increase the OR of RCC. In particular, low eGFR multiplicatively interacted with high red blood cell cadmium concentration to increase the OR of RCC (Pinteraction=0.003). This study was the first to find a significant multiplicative interaction between eGFR and the red blood cell cadmium levels on the increased OR of RCC.

Associations between blood arsenic and urinary arsenic species concentrations as an exposure characterization tool

Blood arsenic has various toxicities including carcinogenicity, but urinary concentrations are often substituted to determine the exposure level. Since there is little information on the relation of urinary arsenic species to blood arsenic, the aim was to investigate relationships between blood total arsenic (T-As) and the urinary species adjusted by creatinine and specific gravity (SG). Blood and spot urine samples were collected from 109 Japanese subjects aged 18–66 years without occupational exposure. Positive correlations of blood T-As (median, 3.49 μg/L) with urinary creatinine-adjusted and SG-adjusted T-As and arsenobetaine were statistically significant and greater than those with the unadjusted ones. The magnitude of associations of blood T-As with creatinine-adjusted arsenic species was significantly larger than those with unadjusted or SG-adjusted ones. Most of the correlation coefficients among urinary arsenic species concentrations were significant in three adjustment methods, but there was not a significant correlation between monomethylarsonic acid and arsenobetaine after urinary creatinine and SG corrections. Given multiple regression analysis, plasma T-As concentrations showed significant relations to creatinine-adjusted T-As, dimethylarsinic acid, and arsenobetaine concentrations, but erythrocyte T-As did hardly reflect the variation of urinary arsenic species. In conclusion, creatinine-adjusted arsenic concentrations are suggested to be the most appropriate predictor of blood T-As; by contrast, use of the urinary unadjusted arsenic concentration may result in a misleading interpretation of inorganic arsenic toxicity because the associations between inorganic and organic arsenic species based on the unadjusted concentration were mutually close. Plasma T-As appeared to be the best indicator of low-level exposure in blood samples.

Natriuretic peptides and echocardiographic parameters in Mexican children environmentally exposed to arsenic

BackgroundArsenic exposure is associated with cardiovascular risk in adults; however, few epidemiologic studies have evaluated biomarkers of cardiovascular risk in children who are environmentally exposed to arsenic. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to assess the associations between urinary arsenic, plasma natriuretic peptides and echocardiographic parameters in Mexican children exposed to arsenic through the drinking water. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study with 192 children (3–8 years old) from Zimapan, Hidalgo, Mexico. B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), NT-proBNP and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) were measured by ELISA, urinary arsenic concentration (UAs) were measured via by hydride generation-cryotrapping-atomic absorption spectrometry, and cardiac parameters were measured by echocardiography. ResultsThe median plasma concentrations of ANP, BNP and NT-proBNP were 36.9 ng/mL, 49.7 pg/mL, and 226.1 pg/mL, respectively. Using multivariable models, a dose-response relationship was observed between BNP concentrations and UAs tertiles (<47 ng/mL: reference, 47–72 ng/mL: 48.7 pg/mL, >72 ng/mL: 52.2 pg/mL, P-trend = 0.020). BNP concentrations also increased with increasing U-tAs as continuous variables (0.43 pg/mL increase per 1 ng/mL increase of U-tAs; P-Value = 0.008). Additionally, BNP was positively associated with arsenic methylated metabolites (U-MAs and U-DMAs). On the other hand, BNP was inversely related to relative wall thickness (RWT). No associations were found for other cardiac parameters. Finally, neither ANP nor NT-proBNP were significantly related to arsenic exposure or echocardiographic parameters. ConclusionsIn this study, we showed associations between plasma BNP and arsenic exposure. Our results support the importance of reducing childhood arsenic exposure, which may have cardiovascular effects early in life.