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。     

内蒙古不同浓度砷暴露人群尿砷代谢产物研究

目的 测定内蒙古地区饮用高砷水人群尿砷代谢产物，探讨不同人群砷代谢的特点。方法 采用氢化物发生原子吸收分光光度法检测尿中不同形态的砷代谢产物。结果 2个暴露组人群尿中无机砷（iAs，inorganic arserlic）、甲基砷（MMA，monomethylarsine）、二甲基砷（DMA．dimethylarsine）和总砷（TAs，total arserlic）均高于对照组（P〈0．05）；同样砷暴露水平下，尿中各形态砷含量及其相对比在不同性别问的差异均无统计学意义（P〉0．05），儿童DMA／MMA和DMA％高于成人（P〈0．05），MMA％低于成人（P〈0．05）；2个暴露组儿童、成人分别与对照组比较，暴露组MMA／ias、DMA／MMA、DMA／iAs、DMA％显降低（P〈0．05），而iAs％、MMA％显增高（P〈0．05）；高暴露组与低暴露组相比，儿童DMA／MMA、DMA／iAs、DMA％显增高（P〈0．05），iAs％、MMA％显降低（P〈0．05）。结论 相同砷暴露水平下，男女对砷的甲基化能力无差别，儿童二甲基化能力高于成人。高砷暴露可能降低人群对砷的生物甲基化能力。[编按]     

谷胱甘肽与蛋氨酸对饮水砷暴露小鼠体内砷化物的分布和甲基代谢的影响

目的探讨外源性谷胱甘肽(glutathione,GSH)和L-蛋氨酸(L-Methionine,L-Met)干预后,对饮水砷暴露小鼠肝、肾和血中化物的分布和甲基代谢的影响。方法将实验小鼠随机分为对照组(Con组)、单纯染砷组(As组)、GSH干预组(GSH组)与L-Met干预组(L-Met组)。小鼠自由饮用含砷50mg/L的水。从第4周起,染砷组同时腹腔注射GSH和L-Met进行处理,共处理7天。末次注射后24h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(inorganic arsenic,iAs)、一甲基胂(monomethylarsenic acid,MMA)和二甲基胂(dimethylarsenic acid,DMA)含量。结果L-Met组小鼠肝中DMA含量和砷二甲基化率(SMI)显著高于As组;GSH干预组小鼠肝中砷一甲基化率(PMI)和SMI显著高于As组。L-Met组和GSH组小鼠血中DMA、总砷含量和PMI均显著高于As组。结论GSH和L-Met对小鼠体内的砷甲基化代谢具有促进作用、可加速无机砷在体内的甲基化过程,最终使砷甲基代谢的终产物DMA含量增加,从而促进了总砷的代谢与排泄。     

砷暴露母子砷代谢特点及DNA损伤差异

目的通过尿中各种形态砷水平，探讨高砷暴露下儿童砷代谢特点；测定尿中8-羟基脱氧鸟苷（8-O-HdG）水平。初步探讨砷暴露对儿童DNA的损伤情况；并比较砷暴露对儿童与成人的不同影响。方法以氢化物发生．冷原子捕获．原子吸收分光光度法测定尿中各种砷化物的含量；以试剂盒法测定尿8-OHdG水平。结果砷暴露组妇女和儿童尿中无机砷（iAs）、二甲基砷（MMA）、甲基砷（DMA）及总砷（tAs）水平均显著高于对照组；砷暴露母子间，子女尿中iAs、DMA、tAs及DMA／tAs水平显著高于其母亲，而MMA／（MMA＋DMA）显著低于其母亲。母子间8-O-HdG水平差异无统计学意义。结论高砷暴露下，儿童二甲基化能力高于成人，DNA氧化损伤与成人相比不明显。     

Metabolism of inorganic arsenic in children with chronic high arsenic exposure in northern Argentina.

This study concerns the metabolism of inorganic arsenic (As) in children in three villages in northern Argentina: San Antonio de los Cobres and Taco Pozo, each with about 200 microg As/l in the drinking water, and Rosario de Lerma, with 0.65 microg As/l. Findings show that the concentrations of As in the blood and urine of the children in the two As-rich villages were on average 9 and 380 microg/l, respectively, the highest ever recorded for children. The concentrations were about 10 and 30 times higher for blood and urine, respectively, than in Rosario de Lerma. Total As in urine was only slightly higher than the sum of metabolites of inorganic As (U-Asmet), i.e., inorganic As, methylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA); this shows that inorganic As was the main form of As ingested. In contrast to previous studies on urinary metabolites of inorganic As in various population groups, the children and women in the present study excreted very little MMA. Thus, there seems to be a polymorphism for the enzymes (methyltransferases) involved in the methylation of As. Interestingly, the children had a significantly higher percentage of inorganic As in urine than the women, about 50% versus 32%. Also, the percentage of inorganic As in the children is considerably higher than in previous studies on children (about 13% in the two studies available) and adults (about 15-25%) in other population groups. This may indicate that children are more sensitive to As-induced toxicity than adults, as the methylated metabolites bind less to tissue constituents than inorganic As. In the children, the percentage inorganic arsenic in urine decreased, and the percentage of DMA increased with increasing U-Asmet, indicating an induction of As methylation with increasing exposure.     

饮水型地方性砷中毒患者皮肤损伤与甲基化代谢关系

目的 探讨饮水型砷中毒患者皮肤损伤与甲基化代谢能力的关系。方法 依据诊断标准对某饮水型砷中毒病区患者症状进行分级,测定血中无机砷(iAs)、甲基砷(MMA)、二甲基砷(DMA)含量并计算百分比(iAs%、MMA%、DMA%),以iAs、MMA及DMA的总和表示总砷(tAs)水平,以(MMA+DMA)/tAs及DMA/(MMA+DMA)分别计算一甲基化率(FMR)和二甲基化率(SMR)水平。结果 患者血中形态砷和甲基化指标水平在性别间差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);轻、中、重度患者FMR水平差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);中度及重度患者SMR水平[(0.36±0.11)、(0.37±0.08)]均低于轻度患者(0.48±0.11),MMA%[(0.50±0.06)、(0.52±0.03)]均高于轻度患者(0.41±0.09);SMR水平与患者皮肤损伤症状等级之间呈负相关(r=-0.429,P<0.05)。结论 SMR水平下降及MMA%水平增高与砷性皮肤损伤关系密切。     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.

 

     

Folate and arsenic metabolism: a double-blind, placebo-controlled folic acid-supplementation trial in Bangladesh

BACKGROUND: Populations in South and East Asia and many other regions of the world are chronically exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water. To various degrees, ingested inorganic arsenic (InAs) is methylated to monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) via folate-dependent one-carbon metabolism; impaired methylation is associated with adverse health outcomes. Consequently, folate nutritional status may influence arsenic methylation and toxicity. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that folic acid supplementation of arsenic-exposed adults would increase arsenic methylation. DESIGN: Two hundred adults in a rural region of Bangladesh, previously found to have low plasma concentrations of folate (相似文献   

Methylation study of a population environmentally exposed to arsenic in drinking water.

Methylation is considered the detoxification pathway for inorganic arsenic (InAs), an established human carcinogen. Urinary speciation analysis is used to assess the distribution of metabolites [monomethylarsonate (MMA), dimethylarsinate (DMA), and unmethylated arsenic (InAs)], as indicators of methylation capacity. We conducted a large biomarker study in northern Chile of a population chronically exposed to high levels of arsenic in drinking water. We report the results of the methylation study, which focused on the effects of exposure and other variables on the percent InAs, MMA, DMA, and the ratio of MMA to DMA in urine. The study consisted of 122 people in a town with arsenic water levels around 600 micrograms/l and 98 participants in a neighboring town with arsenic levels in water of about 15 micrograms/l. The corresponding mean urinary arsenic levels were 580 micrograms/l and 60 micrograms/l, of which 18.4% and 14.9% were InAs, respectively. The main differences were found for MMA:DMA; exposure, smoking, and being male were associated with higher MMA:DMA, while longer residence, Atacameño ethnicity, and being female were associated with lower MMA:DMA. Together, these variables explained about 30% of the variability in MMA:DMA. Overall, there was no evidence of a threshold for methylation capacity, even at very high exposures, and the interindividual differences were within a much wider range than those attributed to the variables investigated. The differences in percent InAs were small and within the ranges of other studies of background exposure levels. The biological significance of MMA:DMA, which was more than 1.5 times greater in the exposed group, and its relationship to sex, length of exposure, and ethnicity need further investigation because its relevance to health risk is not clear.     

Urinary arsenic metabolites of subjects exposed to elevated arsenic present in coal in Shaanxi Province, China

In contrast to arsenic (As) poisoning caused by naturally occurring inorganic arsenic-contaminated water consumption, coal arsenic poisoning (CAP) induced by elevated arsenic exposure from coal combustion has rarely been reported. In this study, the concentrations and distributions of urinary arsenic metabolites in 57 volunteers (36 subjects with skin lesions and 21 subjects without skin lesions), who had been exposed to elevated levels of arsenic present in coal in Changshapu village in the south of Shaanxi Province (China), were reported. The urinary arsenic species, including inorganic arsenic (iAs) [arsenite (iAsIII) and arsenate (iAsV)], monomethylarsonic acid (MMAV) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV), were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) combined with inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The relative distributions of arsenic species, the primary methylation index (PMI=MMAV/iAs) and the secondary methylation index (SMI=DMAV/MMAV) were calculated to assess the metabolism of arsenic. Subjects with skin lesions had a higher concentration of urinary arsenic and a lower arsenic methylation capability than subjects without skin lesions. Women had a significantly higher methylation capability of arsenic than men, as defined by a higher percent DMAV and SMI in urine among women, which was the one possible interpretation of women with a higher concentration of urinary arsenic but lower susceptibility to skin lesions. The findings suggested that not only the dose of arsenic exposure but also the arsenic methylation capability have an impact on the individual susceptibility to skin lesions induced by coal arsenic exposure.     

长期高砷暴露人群砷甲基化与皮肤损害关系的研究

目的探讨长期高砷暴露人群砷代谢差异与砷致皮肤损害之间的关系。方法随机选取某砷污染村庄常住居民327名,进行问卷调查和体格检查。二乙基二硫代氨基甲酸银比色法检测发总砷含量,离子色谱氢化物发生原子荧光法测定尿中四种砷代谢形态。结果发砷含量总体较高,但不同程度皮肤损害的4组间发砷含量差异无显著性;尿中DMA和MMA浓度随着年龄增加有上升的趋势,且与皮肤损害程度呈显著正相关,而无机砷浓度与皮肤损害未见显著相关;重度组人群尿中MMA相对比例显著高于其它3组,而重度组DMA/MMA比值显著低于对照组和轻度组;MMA比例与皮肤损害程度呈显著正相关,DMA/MMA比值与皮肤损害程度呈显著负相关;男性对砷的蓄积能力高于女性,但对砷的甲基化能力低于女性;40岁以上人群对砷的甲基化能力高于40岁以下成人;吸烟者和饮酒者对砷的甲基化代谢水平分别低于非吸烟者和非饮酒者。结论砷在人体内的甲基化代谢水平受性别、年龄、吸烟和饮酒等多因素影响;砷致皮肤损伤程度与砷在体内的甲基化程度有关。     

Study on the relationship between GSTM1, GSTT1 gene polymorphisms and arsenic methylation level

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between genetic polymorphisms of GSTT1, GSTM1 and arsenic methylation level. METHODS: 247 residents in an industrial arsenic polluted village were randomly selected as subjects. The genetic polymorphisms of GSTM1 and GSTT1 were detected by multiple PCR method. Urinary inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsenic acid (MMA) and dimethylarsenic acid (DMA) concentrations were determined by ion chromatogram combined with HG-AFS. RESULTS: No significant differences in the relative proportion of urinary iAs, MMA and DMA were observed between the individuals with GSTT1 positive genotype and the individuals with GSTT1 null genotype. No significant differences in the relative proportion of urinary iAs, MMA and DMA were observed between the individuals with GSTM1 positive genotype and the individuals with GSTM1 null genotype. And no significant differences in the relative proportion of urinary iAs, MMA and DMA was observed among the individuals with different GSTM1 and GSTT1 associated genotype. CONCLUSION: The polymorphisms of GSTT1 and GSTM1 were not associated with arsenic metabolism level in the studied population.     

Urinary Arsenic Speciation and its Correlation with 8-OHdG in Chinese Residents Exposed to Arsenic Through Coal Burning

In contrast to arsenicosis caused by consumption of water contaminated by naturally occurring inorganic arsenic, human exposure to this metalloid through coal burning has been rarely reported. In this study, arsenic speciation and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in urine were determined in the Chinese residents exposed to arsenic through coal burning in Guizhou, China, an epidemic area of chronic arsenic poisoning caused by coal burning. The urinary concentrations of inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and total arsenic (tAs) of high-arsenic exposed subjects were significantly higher than those of low-arsenic exposed residents. A biomarker of oxidative DNA damage, urinary 8-OHdG level was significantly higher in high-arsenic exposed subjects than that of low exposed. Significant positive correlations were found between 8-OHdG levels and concentrations of iAs, MMA, DMA and tAs, respectively. In addition, a significant negative correlation was observed between 8-OHdG levels and the secondary methylation ratio (DMA/(MMA + DMA)). The results suggest that chronic arsenic exposure through burning coal rich in arsenic is associated with oxidative DNA damages, and that secondary methylation capacity is potentially related to the susceptibility of individuals to oxidative DNA damage induced by arsenic exposure through coal burning in domestic living.     

GSTT1和GSTM1基因多态性与人体砷甲基化代谢水平关系探讨

目的探讨GSTT1、GSTM1基因多态性与人体砷甲基化代谢水平之间的关系。方法选择某工业性砷污染区的247名成年常住居民为研究对象。采用多重PCR法检测GSTM1和GSTT1基因多态性。离子色谱氢化物发生原子荧光法(IC-HG-AFS)测定尿中无机砷(iAs)、一甲基胂酸(MMA)和二甲基胂酸(DMA)。结果GSTT1缺失基因型人群与GSTT1非缺失基因型人群尿中iAs比例、DMA比例和MMA比例相比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。GSTM1缺失基因型人群与GSTM1非缺失基因型人群尿中iAs比例、DMA比例和MMA比例相比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。四组不同GSTT1和GSTM1联合基因型人群尿中iAs比例、DMA比例和MMA比例相比较,四组间差异也均无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论本研究未发现GSTT1、GSTM1基因多态性与砷代谢水平之间存在显著关联。     

Dietary intake and arsenic methylation in a U.S. population

Millions of people worldwide are exposed to arsenic-contaminated drinking water, and ingestion of inorganic arsenic (InAs) has been associated with increased risks of cancer. The primary metabolic pathway of ingested InAs is methylation to monomethyl arsenic (MMA) and dimethyl arsenic (DMA). However, people vary greatly in the degree to which they methylate InAs, and recent evidence suggests that those who excrete high proportions of ingested arsenic as MMA are more susceptible than others to arsenic-caused cancer. To date, little is known about the factors that determine interindividual differences in arsenic methylation. In this study, we assessed the effect of diet on arsenic metabolism by measuring dietary intakes and urinary arsenic methylation patterns in 87 subjects from two arsenic-exposed regions in the western United States. Subjects in the lower quartile of protein intake excreted a higher proportion of ingested InAs as MMA (14.6 vs. 11.6%; p = 0.01) and a lower proportion as DMA (72.3 vs. 77.0%; p = 0.01) than did subjects in the upper quartile of protein intake. Subjects in the lower quartile of iron, zinc, and niacin intake also had higher urinary percent MMA and lower percent DMA levels than did subjects with higher intakes of these nutrients. These associations were also seen in multivariate regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, smoking, and total urinary arsenic. Given the previously reported links between high percent MMA and increased cancer risks, these findings are consistent with the theory that people with diets deficient in protein and other nutrients are more susceptible than others to arsenic-caused cancer.     

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.