The quantification of arsenic concentration in 142 blood samples and 134 urine samples taken from healthy subjects who was not exposed to arsenic occupational living in various geographic areas showed a blood arsenic level of 25.48.3 mg/dl and urine arsenic level of 63.59.5 mg/dl. There was no significant difference between male and female subjects living in various geographic areas.
Arsenic ; Blood ; Urine ; Occupational Diseases

Arsenic ; urine ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Formamides ; analysis ; Humans ; Urinalysis ; methods

Arsenic ; urine ; Arsenicals ; analysis ; Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; methods

Arsenic ; blood ; urine ; Environmental Monitoring ; methods ; Humans ; Spectrometry, Fluorescence ; Spectrophotometry, Atomic

Arsenic ; urine ; Freeze Drying ; standards ; Humans ; Reference Standards ; Urinalysis ; methods ; standards

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes in mRNA expression of p53 and related downstream genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes in workers occupationally exposed to arsenic as well as its influencing factors, and to analyze the mechanism of genetic toxicity of arsenic.

METHODSWith cluster random sampling, 79 workers from an arsenic smelting plant were selected as exposure group, and another 24 people without occupational exposure to arsenic were selected as control group. The relative mRNA expression of p53 and related downstream genes in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of the two groups was determined by quantitative realtime PCR. The levels of inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) in urine were determined by hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry.

RESULTSThe exposure group had significantly higher levels of iAs, MMA, and DMA than the control group (P<0.01); the exposure group had significantly higher relative mRNA expression (2(-ΔΔCt)) of p53 and four related downstream genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes than the control group (P<0.05); the relative mRNA expression of p53 and related downstream genes was positively correlated with each other (P<0.01), with a correlation coefficient greater than 0.4; the levels of arsenic compounds in urine were positively correlated with the relative mRNA expression of p53 and some of its downstream genes (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe changes in mRNA expression of p53 and related downstream genes are closely related to the metabolic transformation of inorganic arsenic in workers occupationally exposed to arsenic, and it also plays an important role in genetic toxicity and carcinogenic effect in people exposed to arsenic.

Arsenic ; adverse effects ; urine ; Arsenicals ; urine ; Cacodylic Acid ; urine ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; Occupational Exposure ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo examine the nephrotoxicity induced caused by combined effect of arsenic and cadmium in exposed workers.

METHODSUrinary cadmium and arsenic were used as the exposure biomarkers of cadmium and arsenic. Urinary beta2-microglobulin (Ubeta2-MG), albumin (UALB) and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (UNAG) were measured as the effective biomarkers of tubular and glomerular dysfunction induced by cadmium and arsenic.

RESULTSThe combination of cadmium and arsenic induced more severe renal injury than that caused by either of the chemicals given alone. There were positive correlations and significant dose-effect among the concentrations of urinary cadmium, arsenic and levels of Ubeta2-MG, UALB, UNAG (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONCadmium combined with arsenic may have additive effect on renal dysfunction in workers exposed to arsenic and cadmium.

Adult ; Albuminuria ; chemically induced ; Arsenic ; toxicity ; urine ; Cadmium ; toxicity ; urine ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Occupational Exposure ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; urine

OBJECTIVETo research the impairment of renal function and the combined effects of arsenic and cadmium exposure in population residing in polluted area, and to calculate the benchmark doses of urinary arsenic (UAs) and cadmium (UCd) in renal dysfunction.

METHODSThe concentrations of Uas and UCd were used as as exposure biomarker. Urinary beta(2)-microglobulin (Ubeta(2)-MG), N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (UNAG), and albumin were calculated as biomarkers of renal dysfunction. The benchmark dose (BMD) and the lower confidence limit of the benchmark dose (BMDL) were calculated. Totally 245 patients were enrolled in the study, them, of 122 were from the exposed area, and 123 from the control area.

RESULTSUAs and UCd concentrations in the exposed group were shown significantly higher than those in the control group (P < 0.01). The levels of Ubeta(2)-MG, UNAG and urinary albumin in the exposed group were significantly higher than those of the controls (P < 0.01). There existed positive correlation among the concentrations of UAs, UCd, Ubeta(2)-MG, urinary albumin and UNAG, showing a significant dose-effect relationship. The combination of cadmium and arsenic caused even more renal injury than by chemicals alone in a same dose. The BMD/BMDL of UAs were estimated as 121.91-171.88 microg/g Cr and 102.11-144.44 microg/g Cr. Of UCd, the BMD/BMDL were 1.05-1.48 microg/g Cr and 0.88-1.24 microg/g Cr.

CONCLUSIONSThis study indicates the combination of cadmium and arsenic might cause even more renal injury than by chemicals given alone, and cadmium might cause potential arsenic nephrotoxicity during long-term coexposure to arsenic and cadmium in human beings. It also suggests that UAs and UCd should be kept below 102.11 and 0.88 microg/g creatinine as to preventing renal damage from coexposure to arsenic and cadmium. The BMD method should be used in calculating the BMD of UAs and UCd on renal dysfunction.

Acetylglucosaminidase ; urine ; Arsenic ; adverse effects ; urine ; Biomarkers ; urine ; Cadmium ; adverse effects ; urine ; China ; epidemiology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; Kidney Function Tests ; Male ; Risk Factors ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; urine

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that exposures to heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, lead, and selenium) may be associated with differences in blood pressure. However, the findings of these studies have been inconsistent. This study was performed to examine the associations between urinary heavy metal concentrations and blood pressure among residents of four Asian countries (Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and Vietnam). METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined 1899 adults in four Asian countries. Urinary concentrations of heavy metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. A questionnaire survey was administered regarding individual characteristics. Anthropometric measurements (height and weight) were performed. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were measured after a short rest. Multiple linear regression models were applied to investigate associations between urinary heavy metal concentrations and blood pressure after adjustments for age, sex, and body mass index. RESULTS: The geometric means of the urinary concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, lead, and selenium were 84.6, 0.885, 2.09, and 16.5 μg/g creatinine, respectively. The urinary arsenic concentrations were slightly higher than those typically reported in non-polluted populations, while urinary cadmium, lead, and selenium concentrations were equivalent or slightly lower. The urinary lead concentrations were positively associated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, but urinary selenium concentrations were negatively associated with them. CONCLUSIONS Variations in the urinary concentrations of lead and selenium were associated with blood pressure at low levels of exposure/intake.
Adult ; Arsenic/urine* ; Bangladesh ; Blood Pressure ; Cadmium/urine* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Environmental Exposure ; Female ; Humans ; Indonesia ; Lead/urine* ; Linear Models ; Male ; Metals, Heavy/urine* ; Middle Aged ; Nepal ; Selenium/urine* ; Vietnam

We report on a 51-yr-old woman who developed intravascular hemolytic anemia caused by arsenic after long-term ingestion of a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Twelve years before the admission, she was diagnosed as neurocysticercosis. She has ingested a TCM for about 12 yr instead of undergoing medical therapy for the disease. She was presented with a severe Coombs'-negative hemolytic anemia with hemosiderinuria. The urine arsenic level was elevated suggesting the arsenic intoxication as a cause of the anemia. She was treated successfully with therapeutic red cell exchange without any sequelae.
Anemia, Hemolytic/*diagnosis ; Arsenic/*toxicity/urine ; *Arsenic Poisoning ; Erythrocytes/*cytology ; Female ; Human ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/*adverse effects ; Middle Aged ; Time Factors