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CARDIOVASCULAR AND OTHER HEALTH EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH ARSENIC EXPOSURE IN INNER MONGOLIA
Citation:
MUMFORD, J. S., T. J. WADE, Y. XIA, Y. LI, K. WU, J. MO, AND W. SANDERS. CARDIOVASCULAR AND OTHER HEALTH EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH ARSENIC EXPOSURE IN INNER MONGOLIA. Presented at Society of Toxicology 47th Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, March 16 - 20, 2008.
Impact/Purpose:
The study objectives were to investigate the mode of action and to assess dose-response relationships of arsenic on cardiovascular, diabetic and carcinogenic effects in Ba Men, Inner Mongolia.
Description:
Arsenic exposure is associated with cardiovascular and other health effects. The study objectives were to investigate the mode of action and to assess dose-response relationships of arsenic on cardiovascular, diabetic and carcinogenic effects in Ba Men, Inner Mongolia. Ba Men residents (total 654) exposed chronically from 0.1 to 826 μg/L of arsenic concentrations via drinking water participated in this study. Arsenic exposure was assessed by analyzing arsenic levels in well water, nail and urine. Arsenic effects examined including:(1) ECG QT interval prolongation for cardiovascular effects, (2) hemoglobin A1c for diabetes risk, and (3) DNA fragmentation and chromosome damage, gene expression of DNA repair genes (OGG1 and ERCC1) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), a growth-promoting factor. ECG QTc intervals were determined. QTc interval ≥ 0.45 second was considered to be prolonged. The results showed that prolonged QTc interval was associated with water arsenic levels (p<0.001) showing a dose-response relationship. Females were more susceptible to QT interval prolongation than males. Hemglobin A1c was determined in blood samples and showed positive association with water arsenic levels (p<0.001). In buccal cells, DNA fragmentation by TUNEL assay was associated arsenic exposure at high levels of arsenic exposure (430-690 μg/L), whereas increased micronucleus frequency was associated with arsenic exposure starting at lower concentrations (100-300 μg/L). The mRNA levels for OGG1, ERCC1 and hTERT in blood cells were positively associated with water arsenic levels (p<0.01). These results showed that we were able to use the ECG and biomarkers to link arsenic exposure to cardiac effects, diabetic risk and cancer-related effects showing dose-response relationships. (This abstract does not reflect EPA policy.)