Metabolites of Arsenic Induced Tetraploids and Mitotic Arrest in Cultured Cells

The toxic effects of arsenic compounds on cell division were studied, using Chinese hamster V79 cells. Seven arsenic compounds were tested. Inorganic arsenic compounds (arsenite and arsenate), which have been found in drinking water, inhibited cell growth at very low concentrations. Monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), and trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO), which are methylated metabolites of inorganic arsenics, were less cytotoxic than the inorganic arsenics themselves. The cytotoxicity of the three methylated metabolites decreased as the number of methyl groups increased. Arsenobetaine (AsBe) and arsenocholine (AsC), which have been found in some marine products, did not show any cytotoxicity. Three methylated metabolites; MMA, DMA and TMAO induced mitotic arrest. Tetraploidy production was observed in cells exposed to DMA or TMAO. Arsenite, arsenate, AsBe and AsC did not induce mitotic arrest or tetraploids. These results suggest that MMA, DMA and TMAO exert some effect on cell division in metaphase and may thereby give some clue as to the carcinogenic mechanism of arsenic. Received: 9 April 1996/Revised: 15 June 1996     

微波辅助提取-高效液相色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定干食用菌中6种砷形态

目的 建立干食用菌中砷胆碱（AsC）、砷甜菜碱（AsB）、亚砷酸根[As(III)]、二甲基砷（DMA）、一甲基砷（MMA）和砷酸根[As(V)]的微波辅助提取-高效液相色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱测定方法。方法 经粉碎的干食用菌样品经1%硝酸为提取液，于100℃微波提取20 min，提取液离心、上清液经0.22 μm滤膜过滤后测定。采用Hamilton PRP - X100为分离柱，以0.1 mol/L碳酸铵(含2%甲醇）- 2%甲醇为流动相梯度洗脱。结果 方法检出限均低于0.3 μg/L，在0.5-100 μg/L范围内，线性相关系数（r）均大于0.999 5，加标回收率在97.4%～105%之间，RSD小于5%。结论 本法方法简便、快速，适用于食用菌中6种砷形态的分析。     

不同形态砷化合物对非致瘤性人源性肝细胞的毒性作用

目的探讨不同形态砷化合物对非致瘤性人源性肝(QSG7701)细胞的毒性及氧化应激作用。方法将处于对数生长期的QSG7701细胞分别暴露于亚砷酸钠(砷浓度为1、5、25、100μmol/L)、砷酸钠(砷浓度为10、25、100、500μmol/L)及MMA和DMA(砷浓度均为100、500、1 000、2 000μmol/L)培养24 h,并设对照(含10%胎牛血清的RPMI-1640培养基)。采用四甲基偶氮唑盐(MTT)法测定细胞活性;检测细胞培养液中乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)释放率、谷草转氨酶(AST)活力、总超氧化物歧化酶(T-SOD)活力和丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果一定浓度的As~(Ⅲ)(≥1μmol/L)、As~Ⅴ(≥10μmol/L)、MMA(≥100μmol/L)和DMA(≥2 000μmol/L)均能显著降低QSG7701细胞的存活率,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);且随着As~(Ⅲ)、As~Ⅴ及MMA和DMA染毒浓度的升高,QSG7701细胞的存活率呈逐渐降低的趋势。经计算,QSG7701细胞暴露于As~(Ⅲ)、As~Ⅴ、MMA和DMA 24 h的IC_(50)分别为170.89、863.73、2 235.67、4 045.31μmol/L,对QSG7701细胞生长的抑制作用依次为As~(Ⅲ)As~ⅤMMADMA。在当As~(Ⅲ)浓度为5~100μmol/L、As~Ⅴ浓度为10~500μmol/L及MMA中的砷浓度为1 000、2 000μmol/L和DMA中的砷浓度为2 000μmol/L时,QSG7701细胞的LDH释放率均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);另外,当As~(Ⅲ)浓度为1~100μmol/L、As~Ⅴ浓度为10~500μmol/L及MMA和DMA中的砷浓度为100~2 000μmol/L时,QSG7701细胞培养液中的AST活力均高于对照组;且随着As~(Ⅲ)、As~Ⅴ及MMA和DMA染毒浓度的升高,QSG7701细胞的LDH释放率和细胞培养液中的AST活力呈上升的趋势。与对照组比较,当As~(Ⅲ)浓度为5~100μmol/L、As~Ⅴ浓度为10~500μmol/L时,QSG7701细胞中的MDA含量均较高,而T-SOD活力均较低;与对照组比较,当MMA和DMA中的砷浓度均为500~2 000μmol/L时,QSG7701细胞中的MDA含量均较高;而当MMA中的砷浓度为100~2 000μmol/L和DMA中的砷浓度为100、500μmol/L时,QSG7701细胞中的T-SOD活力均较低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论在本实验条件下,4种砷化合物均可不同程度地损伤肝细胞膜,破坏肝细胞的氧化平衡状态,产生氧化应激并导致脂质过氧化,对人肝细胞QSG7701的毒性作用依次为As~(Ⅲ)As~ⅤMMADMA。     

Bioaccumulation and biotransformation of arsenic in the Mediterranean polychaete Sabella spallanzanii: experimental observations

The Mediterranean fan worm Sabella spallanzanii is characterized by elevated basal levels of arsenic in branchial crowns (>1000 microg/g) and an unusual prevalence of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), a relatively toxic compound with a possible antipredatory role. The aim of this work was to obtain further insights on the capability of this polychaete to accumulate arsenic from different compounds and to operate biotransformation reactions. Laboratory exposures to arsenate (As(V)), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), trimethylarsine (TMA), and arsenobetaine (AsB) revealed significant differences among tissues and kind of experiments. The highest increases of arsenic content were observed in branchial crowns of organisms treated with arsenate, which can enter the cell through the phosphate carrier system; lower variations were measured with DMA and TMA, while not-significant changes of total As occurred after treatments with AsB. In body tissues, exposure to As(V), DMA, and TMA confirmed a progressively lower accumulation of total arsenic, while a marked increase was caused by AsB. Obtained results suggested that accumulated arsenic could be chemically transformed, thus explaining the elevated basal levels of DMA typical of S. spallanzanii; during all the experiments, DMA was the most accumulated molecule, suggesting that this species possesses the enzymatic pathways for methylation and demethylation reactions of inorganic and trimethylated arsenicals. Only arsenobetaine was not converted into DMA, which would confirm a microbial pathway for degradation for this molecule, particularly important in body tissues of S. spallanzanii for the presence of bacteria associated to digestive tracts. Overall, the present study suggests future investigations on the biological role of arsenic and DMA in S. spallanzanii as a potential adaptive mechanism against predation in more vulnerable tissues.     

Biological monitoring of occupational exposure to inorganic arsenic

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to assess reliable biological indicators for monitoring the occupational exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs), taking into account the possible confounding role of arsenicals present in food and of the element present in drinking water. METHODS: 51 Glass workers exposed to As trioxide were monitored by measuring dust in the breathing zone, with personal air samplers. Urine samples at the end of work shift were analysed for biological monitoring. A control group of 39 subjects not exposed to As, and eight volunteers who drank water containing about 45 micrograms/l iAs for a week were also considered. Plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used for the analysis of total As in air and urine samples, whereas the urinary As species (trivalent, As3; pentavalent, As5; monomethyl arsonic acid, MMA; dimethyl arsinic acid, DMA; arsenobetaine, AsB) were measured by liquid chromatography coupled with plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) RESULTS: Environmental concentrations of As in air varied widely (mean 84 micrograms/m3, SD 61, median 40) and also the sum of urinary iAs MMA and DMA, varied among the groups of exposed subjects (mean 106 micrograms/l, SD 84, median 65). AsB was the most excreted species (34% of total As) followed by DMA (28%), MMA (26%), and As3 + As5 (12%). In the volunteers who drank As in the water the excretion of MMA and DMA increased (from a median of 0.5 to 5 micrograms/day for MMA and from 4 to 13 micrograms/day for DMA). The best correlations between As in air and its urinary species were found for total iAs and As3 + As5. CONCLUSIONS: To avoid the effect of As from sources other than occupation on urinary species of the element, in particular on DMA, it is proposed that urinary As3 + As5 may an indicator for monitoring the exposure to iAs. For concentrations of 10 micrograms/m3 the current environmental limit for iAs, the limit for urinary As3 + As5 was calculated to be around 5 micrograms/l, even if the wide variation of values needs critical evaluation and application of data. The choice of this indicator might be relevant also from a toxicological point of view. Trivalent arsenic is in fact the most active species and its measure in urine could be the best indicator of some critical effects of the element, such as cancer.

 

     

Comparison of different medical cases in urinary arsenic speciation by fast HPLC-ICP-MS

The inorganic arsenic species As(III), As(V) and the organic species methylarsonate (MMA(V)), dimethylarsinate (DMA(V)) and arsenobetaine (AsB) were determined in human urine by a fast anion exchange HPLC-ICP-MS method, which was developed for clinical laboratories with high sample throughput. This paper compares typical chromatograms of the arsenic species in urine samples collected in different medical cases, for example, for the non-exposed population, for environmentally (plant protectants) and occupationally (glass manufacture) exposed persons, for a person after a failed suicide attempt with As2O3 and for persons before and after administration of the antidot sodium 2,3-dimercapto-1-propane-sulfonate (DMPS). Concentration data of the urinary As species for the non-exposed German population (n=82) are compared with the concentrations before and after administration of DMPS (n=37). For the non-exposed group the toxicologically relevant As in urine consists of 81% DMA(V), 10% MMA(V) and 9% inorganic As. However, a few hours after an acute intoxication with inorganic As this distribution changes dramatically and As(III) and As(V) are predominantly found in urine. After treatment with DMPS the total As concentration increases significantly and mainly MMA(V) and As(III) were found in urine samples.     

外源性谷胱甘肽对饮水砷暴露雌性小鼠脑砷形态及一氧化氮代谢的影响

目的 探讨外源性谷胱甘肽(glutathione,GSH)对饮水砷暴露小鼠脑中砷形态分布及一氧化氮(nitric oxide,NO)代谢的影响.方法 将40只雌性昆明小鼠随机分为对照组、单独染砷(NaAsO_2)组及低剂量(200mg/kg)、中剂量(400mg/kg)或高剂量(800mg/kg)GSH干预组,每组8只.染毒组小鼠饮水染砷4周,在最后一周,在染砷同时腹腔注射不同剂量GSH.末次注射后24h处死小鼠,取血和脑组织,分别检测无机砷(iAs)、一甲基胂酸(MMA)和二甲基胂酸(DMA)含量及脑中一氧化氮合酶(NOS)活力和NO含量.结果 GSH干预组小鼠血中iAs、MMA和总砷(TAs)含量及脑中DMA和TAs含量与单独染砷组比较显著下降.与对照组相比,单独染砷组小鼠脑中NOS活力及NO含量显著降低.与单独染砷组比较,中、高剂量GSH干预组小鼠脑中NOS活力显著升高.结论 给予外源性GSH可减少血液和脑组织中的砷负荷,进而改善砷对脑内NO代谢的影响.     

Variability in human metabolism of arsenic

Estimating the nature and extent of human cancer risks due to arsenic (As) in drinking water is currently of great concern, since millions of persons worldwide are exposed to arsenic, primarily through natural enrichment of drinking water drawn from deep wells. Humans metabolize and eliminate As through oxidative methylation and subsequent urinary excretion. While there is debate as to the role of methylation in activation/detoxification, variations in arsenic metabolism may affect individual risks of toxicity and carcinogenesis. Using data from three populations, from Mexico, China, and Chile, we have analyzed the distribution in urine of total arsenic and arsenic species (inorganic arsenic (InAs), monomethyl arsenic (MMA), and dimethyl arsenic (DMA). Data were analyzed in terms of the concentration of each species and by evaluating MMA:DMA and (MMA+DMA):InAs ratios. In all persons most urinary As was present as DMA. Male:female differences were discernible in both high- and low-exposure groups from all three populations, but the gender differences varied by populations. The data also indicated bimodal distributions in the ratios of DMA to InAs and to MMA. While the gene or genes responsible for arsenic methylation are still unknown, the results of our studies among the ethnic groups in this study are consistent with the presence of functional genetic polymorphisms in arsenic methylation leading to measurable differences in toxicity. This analysis highlights the need for continuing research on the health effects of As in humans using molecular epidemiologic methods.     

Urinary arsenic species, toenail arsenic, and arsenic intake estimates in a Michigan population with low levels of arsenic in drinking water

The large disparity between arsenic concentrations in drinking water and urine remains unexplained. This study aims to evaluate predictors of urinary arsenic in a population exposed to low concentrations (≤50?μg/l) of arsenic in drinking water. Urine and drinking water samples were collected from a subsample (n=343) of a population enrolled in a bladder cancer case-control study in southeastern Michigan. Total arsenic in water and arsenic species in urine were determined using ICP-MS: arsenobetaine (AsB), arsenite (As[III]), arsenate (As[V]), methylarsenic acid (MMA[V]), and dimethylarsenic acid (DMA[V]). The sum of As[III], As[V], MMA[V], and DMA[V] was denoted as SumAs. Dietary information was obtained through a self-reported food intake questionnaire. Log(10)-transformed drinking water arsenic concentration at home was a significant (P<0.0001) predictor of SumAs (R(2)=0.18). Associations improved (R(2)=0.29, P<0.0001) when individuals with less than 1?μg/l of arsenic in drinking water were removed and further improved when analyses were applied to individuals who consumed amounts of home drinking water above the median volume (R(2)=0.40, P<0.0001). A separate analysis indicated that AsB and DMA[V] were significantly correlated with fish and shellfish consumption, which may suggest that seafood intake influences DMA[V] excretion. The Spearman correlation between arsenic concentration in toenails and SumAs was 0.36 and between arsenic concentration in toenails and arsenic concentration in water was 0.42. Results show that arsenic exposure from drinking water consumption is an important determinant of urinary arsenic concentrations, even in a population exposed to relatively low levels of arsenic in drinking water, and suggest that seafood intake may influence urinary DMA[V] concentrations.     

高效液相色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱法测定人尿中6种砷形态化合物

目的建立高效液相色谱-电感耦合等离子体质谱（HPLC?ICP?MS）测定人尿中砷胆碱（AsC）、砷甜菜碱（AsB）、三价砷（As3+）、二甲基砷酸（DMA5+）、甲基砷酸（MMA5+）、五价砷（As5+）等6种砷形态化合物含量的方法。方法优化流动相pH值及无水乙醇含量,以50 mmol·L-1的（NH₄）₂CO₃溶液（含2%无水乙醇、pH=8.5）为流动相,用He模式消除氯离子（Cl-）干扰,通过Hamilton PRP X?100阴离子交换色谱柱对 10倍稀释的人尿砷形态化合物进行分离,与ICP?MS联用,建立6种砷形态化合物的检测方法。结果6种砷形态化合物13 min左右可以得到完全分离,标准曲线线性相关系数为0.999,检出限为0.10~0.20 μg·L-1,定量限为0.30~0.50 μg·L-1。精密度实验显示,加标浓度0.20 μg·L-1时相对标准偏差（RSD）为5.96%~9.07%;加标浓度2.00 μg·L-1时RSD为2.48%~6.38%,加标浓度5.00 μg·L-1时RSD为1.41%~2.57%。准确度实验显示,加标回收率为80%~125%。结论所建立HPLC?ICP?MS测定人尿6种砷形态化合物的方法,快速、准确、灵敏,可应用于人群尿砷的测定。     

外源性蛋氨酸对饮水砷暴露雌性小鼠体内砷形态分布的影响

目的 探讨外源性蛋氨酸(methionine,Met)对饮水砷暴露小鼠体内不同组织器官砷形态分布的影响.方法 将健康清洁级雌性昆明小鼠40只,随机分为对照组、单纯砷染毒组及低、中、高剂量Met与砷联合染毒组,每组8只.除对照组小鼠饮蒸馏水外,其余各组小鼠以自由饮水方式饮含50mg/L亚砷酸钠的水,连续染毒4周.在染毒的第4周,低、中、高剂量Met与砷联合染毒组小鼠分别被腹腔注射100、200、400 mg/kg的Met溶液,对照组和单纯砷染毒组小鼠被腹腔注射生理盐水,连续注射7 d.末次注射24 h后,处死小鼠,快速取血,分离肝和脑组织,分别检测无机砷(iAs)、一甲基胂酸(MMA)和二甲基胂酸(DMA)含量,并计算各组织中总砷含鼍(TAs)及砷一甲基化率(primary methylation ratio,PMR)和二甲基化率(secondary methylation ratio,SMR).结果 单纯砷染毒组和高、中、低剂量Met与砷联合染毒组小鼠肝、脑组织及全血中iAs、MMA、DMA和TAs含量均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).与单纯砷染毒组比较,中、高剂量Met与砷联合染毒组小鼠肝组织中DMA含量和PMR较高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).与单纯砷染毒组比较,各剂量Met与砷联合染毒组小鼠全血中iAs、MMA和TAs含量均下降,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).各剂量Met与砷联合染毒组小鼠脑组织中DMA和TAs含量低于单纯砷染毒组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 外源性Met 对小鼠体内砷甲基化代谢具有促进作用,并可加速体内砷化物的排泄,从而减少血液和脑组织中的砷负荷.     

Determination of monomethylarsonous acid, a key arsenic methylation intermediate, in human urine

In this study we report on the finding of monomethylarsonous acid [MMA(III)] in human urine. This newly identified arsenic species is a key intermediate in the metabolic pathway of arsenic biomethylation, which involves stepwise reduction of pentavalent to trivalent arsenic species followed by oxidative addition of a methyl group. Arsenic speciation was carried out using ion-pair chromatographic separation of arsenic compounds with hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry detection. Speciation of the inorganic arsenite [As(III)], inorganic arsenate [As(V)], monomethylarsonic acid [MMA(V)], dimethylarsinic acid [DMA(V)], and MMA(III) in a urine sample was complete in 5 min. Urine samples collected from humans before and after a single oral administration of 300 mg sodium 2,3-dimercapto-1-propane sulfonate (DMPS) were analyzed for arsenic species. MMA(III) was found in 51 out of 123 urine samples collected from 41 people in inner Mongolia 0-6 hr after the administration of DMPS. MMA(III )in urine samples did not arise from the reduction of MMA(V) by DMPS. DMPS probably assisted the release of MMA(III) that was formed in the body. Along with the presence of MMA(III), there was an increase in the relative concentration of MMA(V) and a decrease in DMA(V) in the urine samples collected after the DMPS ingestion.     

Assessing the measurement precision of various arsenic forms and arsenic exposure in the National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS)

Archived samples collected from 1995 to 1997 in the National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 (R5) and the Children's Study (CS) in Minnesota were analyzed for total arsenic, arsenate [As(V)], arsenite, dimethyl arsenic acid (DMA), monomethyl arsenic acid (MMA), arsenobetaine (AsB), and arsenocholine. Samples for the CS included drinking water, urine, hair, and dust; both studies included food (duplicate plate, composited 4-day food samples from participants). Except for AsB and As(V), the levels for As species measured in the food and drinking water samples were very low or nonexistent. The analytical methods used for measuring As species were sensitive to < 1 ppb. During the analysis of food and drinking water samples, chromatographic peaks appeared that contained As, but they did not correspond to those being quantified. Thus, in some samples, the sum of the individual As species levels was less than the total As level measured because the unknown forms of As were not quantified. On the other hand, total As was detectable in almost all samples (> 90%) except for hair (47%), indicating that the analytical method was sufficiently sensitive. Population distributions of As concentrations measured in drinking water, food (duplicate plate), dust, urine, and hair were estimated. Exposures to total As in food for children in the CS were about twice as high as in the general R5 population (medians of 17.5 ppb and 7.72 ppb, respectively). In addition, AsB was the most frequently detected form of As in food eaten by the participants, while As(V) was only rarely detected. Thus, the predominant dietary exposure was from an organic form of As. The major form of As in drinking water was As(V). Spearman (rank) correlations and Pearson (log-concentration scale) correlations between the biomarkers (urine, hair) and the other measures (food, drinking water, dust) and urine versus hair were performed. In the NHEXAS CS, total As and AsB in the food eaten were significantly correlated with their levels in urine. Also, levels of As(V) in drinking water correlated with DMA and MMA in urine. Arsenic levels in dust did not show a relationship with urine or hair levels, and no relationship was observed for food, drinking water, and dust with hair. Urine samples were collected on days 3, 5, and 7 of participants' monitoring periods. Total As levels in urine were significantly associated across the three pairwise combinations--i.e., day 3 versus day 5, day 3 versus day 7, and day 5 versus day 7. Because the half-life of As in the body is approximately 3 days, this suggests that some exposure occurred continually from day to day. This trend was also observed for AsB, suggesting that food is primarily responsible for the continual exposure. DMA and MMA in urine were also significantly correlated but not in all combinations.     

高砷暴露致皮肤损伤人群尿砷代谢产物分析

目的 探讨高砷暴露致皮肤损伤人群尿砷代谢的特点.方法 应用氢化物发生.冷阱捕获.原子吸收分光光度法测定高砷暴露地Ⅸ(水砷浓度分别为0.21、0.24、0.36 mg/L)皮肤损伤组人群(77人)和未见皮肤损伤对照组人群(77人,性别、年龄1:1配比)尿中无机砷(iAs)、一甲基胂酸(MMA)和二甲基胂酸(DMA)含量.以iAs、MMA及DMA的总和表示总砷(tAs)水平;以iAs/tAs、MMMtAs和DMA/tAs分别计算iAs%、MMA%、DMA%;以(MMA+DMA)/tAs及DMM(MMA+DMA)分别计算一甲基化率(FMR)和二甲基化率(SMR)水平.结果 皮肤损伤组人群与对照组人群相比尿中各形态砷化合物及总砷含量差异无统计学意义(JD>0.05),而皮肤损伤组尿iAs%水平高于对照组,DMA%、FMR和SMR水平低于对照组差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05).皮肤损伤组人群中男性SMR水平显著低于女性,且尿中MMA%显著高于女性(P<0.05).结论 高砷暴露情况下,出现皮肤损伤症状的人群对砷的甲基化能力较低.

Abstract：

Objective To explore the characteristics of urine arsenic metabolism of people with skin lesion. Methods The levels of inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylated arsenic (MMA), dimethylated arsenic (DMA) in urine were detected with hydride generation-cold trap-atomic absorption spectroscopy among population exposed to higher levels of arsenide (0.24 ,0.36,0.21 mg/L), which consisted of skin lesion group(n=77) and non-skin lesion group (n=77,control group) in Apr.,2009 . Total arsenic (tAs) , iAs %, MMA%, DMA%, the first methylation ratio (FMR) and the secondary methylation ratio (SMR) were calculated as iAs + MMA+ DMA , iAs/tAs, MMA/tAs, DMA/tAs, (MMA + DMA)/ tAs and DMA/(MMA + DMA), respectively. Results No significant difference was observed in urinary concentrations of arsenic species and tAs between two groups (P>0.05), iAs% was much higher and the levels of FMR, SMR and DMA% were significantly lower in skin lesion group compared with the control (P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in iAs% and SMR between males and females of the skin lesion group(P<0.05). Conclusion The arsenic methylation capacity of the persons with skin lesions is lower at high arsenic exposure.     

Reliability of spot urine samples in assessing arsenic exposure

Urinary arsenic concentration is often used as a biomarker of arsenic exposure. First morning void (FMV) and spot urine samples from 131 participants in southeastern Michigan were analyzed using an HPLC-IC-PMS system for six different arsenic species: arsenobetaine (AsB), arsenite (As[III]), arsenate (As[V]), methylarsonous acid MMA[III], methylarsenic acid MMA[V], and dimethylarsenic DMA[V]. Bland–Altman plots, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), and Pearson correlation procedures were used to evaluate the relationship between the arsenic species in FMV and spot urine collections after normalizing the samples by specific gravity. DMA[III] and MMA[III] were not detected in any of the samples. The sum of As[III], As[V], MMA[V], and DMA[V] was designated SumAs. The ICC between SumAs in FMV and SumAs in spot samples was 0.90. The ICC showed that 90% of variation comes from between individuals and not within individuals. A significant correlation (r = 0.80 p < 0.001) was observed between FMV and spot samples for SumAs. The spot sample were a good predictor of the MMA[V] (r = 0.83 p < 0.0001), and DMA[V] (r = 0.77 p < 0.0001) in the FMV sample. These associations suggest that either FMV or spot samples can be used as an adequate bioindicator of arsenic metabolites in human urine. The benefit of using spot urine samples, instead of 24-h or FMV urine samples, is the potential reduction in budgetary and logistic requirements in epidemiological studies.     

HPLC-ICP-MS speciation analysis of arsenic in urine of Japanese subjects without occupational exposure

The toxicity and carcinogenicity of arsenic depend on its species. Individuals living in Japan consume much seafood that contains high levels of organoarsenics. Speciation analysis of urinary arsenic is required to clarify the health risks of arsenic intake. There has been no report of urinary arsenic analysis in Japan using high performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). We performed speciation analysis of urinary arsenic for 210 Japanese male subjects without occupational exposure using HPLC-ICP-MS. The median values of urinary arsenics were as follows: sodium arsenite (AsIII), 3.5; sodium arsenate (AsV), 0.1; monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), 3.1; dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), 42.6; arsenobetaine (AsBe), 61.3; arsenocholine, trimethylarsine oxide, and unidentified arsenics (others), 5.2; and total arsenic (total As), 141.3 microgAs/l. The median creatinine-adjusted values were as follows: AsIII, 3.0; AsV, 0.1; MMA, 2.6; DMA, 35.9; AsBe, 52.1; others 3.5; and total As, 114.9 microgAs/g creatinine. Our findings indicate that DMA and AsBe levels in Japan are much higher than those found in Italian and American studies. It appears that the high levels of DMA and AsBe observed in Japan may be due in part to seafood intake. ACGIH and DFG set the BEI and BAT values for occupational arsenic exposure as 35 microgAs/l and 50 microgAs/l, respectively, using the sum of inorganic arsenic (iAs), MMA, and DMA. In the general Japanese population, the sums of these were above 50 microgAs/l in 115 (55%) samples. We therefore recommend excluding DMA concentration in monitoring of iAs exposure.     

饮水型砷暴露对人群甲基化代谢能力的影响

目的探讨饮水型砷暴露对人群甲基化代谢能力的影响。方法以带有砷化物预处理装置的原子吸收分光光度计测定砷暴露人群及无砷暴露对照人群血、尿中无机砷(iAs)、甲基胂(MMA)、二甲基胂(DMA)含量。以iAs、MMA及DMA的总和表示总胂(tAs)水平;以(MMA+DMA)/tAs及DMA/(MMA+DMA)分别计算一甲基化率(PMI)和二甲基化率(SMI)水平。结果砷暴露人群血中iAs、MMA、DMA、tAs及PMI水平均显著高于相应对照人群的水平,而SMI水平显著低于对照人群。尿中MMA水平分别与血中PMI及SMI水平呈显著正相关(r=0.419,P<0.01)及负相关(r=-0.326,P<0.05)。暴露组和对照组血中各种砷化物水平及甲基化率水平在男女间差异无显著性。结论砷暴露人群与无砷暴露人群相比甲基化率有差异,PMI显著增高,SMI显著降低。人群甲基化率无显著性别差异。     

谷胱甘肽与亚硒酸钠对饮水砷暴露小鼠体内砷代谢的影响

目的 探讨给予外源性谷胱甘肽(GSH)和亚硒酸钠(sodium selenite)对饮水砷暴露小鼠肝、肾和血中砷代谢的影响.方法 将小鼠按数字表法随机分为对照组、单纯染砷组(砷组)、GSH干预组(GSH组)与亚硒酸钠干预组(硒组),每组各8只小鼠.小鼠以自由饮水方式共染砷4周,饮水砷浓度为50 mg/L.从第4周起,染砷同时腹腔注射GSH(600 mg/kg体重)或亚硒酸钠(1 mg/kg体重)进行干预,共干预7 d.末次注射后处死小鼠,取其肝、肾和血组织样品.采用氢化物发生-超低温捕集-原子吸收分光光度法,分别检测小鼠肝、肾和血中无机砷(iAs)、一甲基胂(MMA)和二甲基胂(DMA)的含量.结果 GSH组小鼠肝中DMA含量[(233.76±60.63)ng/g湿重]及血中DMA含量[(88.52±30.86)ng/g湿重]和总砷(TAs)含量[(162.32±49.45)ng/g湿重]高于相对应的砷组小鼠[(218.36±42.71)、(45.32±12.19)、(108.51±18.00)ng/g湿重](q值分别为3.06、6.40、10.72,P＜0.05).GSH组小鼠肝中砷一甲基化率(PMI,0.65±0.05)和二甲基化率(SMI,0.55±0.05)及血中PMI(0.85±0.07)与砷组小鼠相对应的甲基化率(0.58±0.06、0.44±0.09、0.54±0.11)比较升高(q值分别为3.75、5.26、4.21.P＜0.05).硒组与砷组各项指标间差异无统计学意义.结论 给予外源性GSH可以促进iAs在小鼠体内甲基化代谢,从而降低其对机体的毒性损伤.而亚硒酸钠则无明显作用.     

2018—2021年天津市市售螃蟹中四种重金属污染状况及评价

目的 了解天津市市售螃蟹中重金属污染水平及其在螃蟹体内分布,为水产品的重金属污染防控提供依据。方法 根据《国家食品污染物及有害因素风险监测工作手册》要求,在天津市范围内采用随用机抽样方法,采集市售代表性螃蟹样品275份。按照国家标准检测方法对其中的铅、镉、汞、砷含量进行检测,并采用单因子污染评价指数法评价污染程度。结果 275份螃蟹样品中四种重金属元素总体含量水平依次为镉(0.058 mg/kg)、铅(0.056 mg/kg)、无机砷(0.027 mg/kg)、甲基汞(0.019 mg/kg)。四种元素中镉超标率最高(49.09%),无机砷次之(4.29%),铅最低(0.48%);海水蟹中镉、无机砷超标率(75.71%、7.48%)高于淡水蟹(22.66%、0.97%);蟹黄/蟹膏中镉超标率(46.91%)高于胸肌(8.36%)、腿肌(3.27%)。单因子污染指数评价结果显示,海水蟹蟹黄/蟹膏中镉处于重度污染水平(Pi = 5.12),胸肌中镉(Pi = 0.25)及蟹黄/蟹膏中无机砷(Pi = 0.22)处于轻度污染水平;淡水蟹蟹黄/蟹膏中镉(Pi = 0.44)处于轻度污染水平。结论 天津市市售螃蟹中铅、镉、甲基汞、无机砷均存在不同程度的污染,镉、无机砷污染较为严重,建议加强监管并引导居民合理膳食。