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Chen X, Wu R, Wu H, Hu Y, Wang H, Fu J, Pi J, Xu Y. Integrated miRNA-mRNA analysis reveals the dysregulation of lipid metabolism in mouse liver induced by developmental arsenic exposure. J Hazard Mater 2023; 445:130459. [PMID: 36463740 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Developmental arsenic exposure leads to increased susceptibility to liver diseases including nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases, but the mechanism is incompletely understood. In this study, C57BL/6J mice were used to establish a lifetime arsenic exposure model covering developmental stage. We found that arsenic-exposed offspring in later life showed hepatic lipid deposition and increased triglyceride content. Despite no significant hepatic pathological changes in the offspring at weaning, 86 miRNAs and 136 mRNAs were differentially expressed according to miRNA array and mRNA sequencing. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were crossed with the target genes predicted by differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs), and 47 differentially expressed target genes (DETGs) were obtained. Functional annotation suggested that lipid metabolism related pathways were significantly enriched. The pivotal regulator in the four major pathways to maintain liver lipid homeostasis were further determined, with significant alterations found in FABP5, SREBP1, ACOX1 and EHHADH. Of note, miRNA-mRNA integration analysis revealed that miR-7118-5p, miR-7050-5p, miR-27a/b-3p, and miR-103-3p acted as key regulators of fatty acid metabolism genes. Taken together, miRNA-mRNA integration analysis indicates that the lipid metabolism pathway in the liver of weaned mice was dysregulated by developmental arsenic exposure, which may contribute to the development of NAFLD in later life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Chen
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ruirui Wu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Hengchao Wu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yuxin Hu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Huihui Wang
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; The Key Laboratory of Liaoning Province on Toxic and Biological Effects of Arsenic, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jingqi Fu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jingbo Pi
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; The Key Laboratory of Liaoning Province on Toxic and Biological Effects of Arsenic, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; The Key Laboratory of Liaoning Province on Toxic and Biological Effects of Arsenic, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
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Wu R, Chen X, Wu H, Hu Y, Wang G, Wang H, Yang B, Fu J, Gao Y, Pi J, Xu Y. Nrf2 activation contributes to hepatic tumor-augmenting effects of developmental arsenic exposure. Sci Total Environ 2022; 837:155685. [PMID: 35523338 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Developmental arsenic exposure increases cancer risk in later life with the mechanism elusive. Oxidative stress is a dominant determinant in arsenic toxicity. However, the role of Nrf2, a key regulator in antioxidative response, in tumor-augmenting effects by developmental arsenic exposure is unclear. In the present study, wild-type C57BL/6J and Nrf2-konckout (Nrf2-KO) were developmentally exposed to inorganic arsenic via drinking water. For hepatic tumorigenesis analysis, mice were intraperitoneally injected with diethylnitrosamine (DEN) at two weeks of age. Developmental arsenic exposure aggravated tumor multiplicity and burden, and expression of PCNA and AFP in hepatic tumors induced by DEN. Nrf2 activation as indicated by over-expression of Nrf2 and its downstream genes, including Gss, Gsr, p62, Gclc and Gclm, was found in liver tumors, as well as in the livers in developmentally arsenic-exposed pups at weaning. Notably, Nrf2 deficiency attenuated tumor-augmenting effects and over-expression of Nrf2 downstream genes due to developmental arsenic exposure. Furthermore, the levels of urinary DEN metabolite (acetaldehyde) and hepatic DNA damage markers (O6-ethyl-2-deoxyguanosine adducts and γ-histone H2AX) after DEN treatment were elevated by Nrf2 agonist, 2-Cyano-3,12-dioxooleana-1,9-dien-28-imidazolide. Collectively, our data suggest that augmentation of DEN-induced hepatic tumorigenesis by developmental arsenic exposure is dependent on Nrf2 activation, which may be related to the role of Nrf2 in DEN metabolic activation. Our findings reveal, at least in part, the mechanism underlying increased susceptibility to developing cancer due to developmental arsenic exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruirui Wu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Xin Chen
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Hengchao Wu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yuxin Hu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Gang Wang
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Huihui Wang
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Bei Yang
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jingqi Fu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yanhui Gao
- Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jingbo Pi
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; The Key Laboratory of Liaoning Province on Toxic and Biological Effects of Arsenic, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China; The Key Laboratory of Liaoning Province on Toxic and Biological Effects of Arsenic, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
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Yamauchi H, Takata A. Arsenic metabolism differs between child and adult patients during acute arsenic poisoning. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2021; 410:115352. [PMID: 33264645 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies on chronic arsenic poisoning have clarified the relationship between various adverse effects and methylation efficiency or methylation capacity. However, no study has similarly investigated such effects on patients with acute arsenic poisoning. In the present work, we studied 61 patients with acute oral arsenic poisoning occurring after consumption of an arsenic trioxide-laced meal (curry soup). The cohort included children (defined as under 15 year old [y/o], n = 22) and adults (over 16 y/o, n = 39) whose urinary arsenic profiles were analyzed. None of these patients had received treatment with chelating agents. The estimated median (IQR) arsenic intake was 64.5 mg (48.3-80.5 mg) in children and 76.0 mg (56.0-91.0 mg) in adults, and these values were not significantly different. Symptoms of poisoning in children improved approximately 1 week after hospitalization. However, the symptoms in most adults deteriorated with severe signs of arsenic poisoning. Urinary arsenic profiles of all the patients were analyzed to obtain the following information: % monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), % dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), second methylation ratio (DMA/MMA), and secondary methylation index (SMI, DMA/MMA + DMA). The levels of these parameters may help identify patients at risk for worsening symptoms. %MMA, an indicator of incomplete methylation, increased more in adults, who experienced more severe symptom progression, compared with children. In contrast, %DMA, which indicates more complete and efficient methylation, increased particularly in children with mild symptoms. Overall the present results indicate that children possess an excellent capacity for methylation (second methylation ratio) of arsenic to DMA and therefore, experience relatively less severe progression of symptomology during acute arsenic poisoning.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In utero influences, including nutrition and environmental chemicals, may induce long-term metabolic changes and increase diabetes risk in adulthood. This review evaluates the experimental and epidemiological evidence on the association of early-life arsenic exposure on diabetes and diabetes-related outcomes, as well as the influence of maternal nutritional status on arsenic-related metabolic effects. RECENT FINDINGS Five studies in rodents have evaluated the role of in utero arsenic exposure with diabetes in the offspring. In four of the studies, elevated post-natal fasting glucose was observed when comparing in utero arsenic exposure with no exposure. Rodent offspring exposed to arsenic in utero also showed elevated insulin resistance in the 4 studies evaluating it as well as microRNA changes related to glycemic control in 2 studies. Birth cohorts of arsenic-exposed pregnant mothers in New Hampshire, Mexico, and Taiwan have shown that increased prenatal arsenic exposure is related to altered cord blood gene expression, microRNA, and DNA methylation profiles in diabetes-related pathways. Thus far, no epidemiologic studies have evaluated early-life arsenic exposure with diabetes risk. Supplementation trials have shown B vitamins can reduce blood arsenic levels in highly exposed, undernourished populations. Animal evidence supports that adequate B vitamin status can rescue early-life arsenic-induced diabetes risk, although human data is lacking. Experimental animal studies and human evidence on the association of in utero arsenic exposure with alterations in gene expression pathways related to diabetes in newborns, support the potential role of early-life arsenic exposure in diabetes development, possibly through increased insulin resistance. Given pervasive arsenic exposure and the challenges to eliminate arsenic from the environment, research is needed to evaluate prevention interventions, including the possibility of low-cost, low-risk nutritional interventions that can modify arsenic-related disease risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Navas-Acien
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
| | - Miranda J Spratlen
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Ahlam Abuawad
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Nancy J LoIacono
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Anne K Bozack
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Mary V Gamble
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, 722 W168th Street, New York, NY, 10032, USA
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Yu A, Romero TA, Genkinger JM. Primary and Secondary Prevention of Pancreatic Cancer. CURR EPIDEMIOL REP 2019; 6:119-37. [DOI: 10.1007/s40471-019-00189-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Rawla P, Sunkara T, Gaduputi V. Epidemiology of Pancreatic Cancer: Global Trends, Etiology and Risk Factors. World J Oncol 2019; 10:10-27. [PMID: 30834048 PMCID: PMC6396775 DOI: 10.14740/wjon1166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1237] [Impact Index Per Article: 247.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Pancreatic cancer is the seventh leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. However, its toll is higher in more developed countries. Reasons for vast differences in mortality rates of pancreatic cancer are not completely clear yet, but it may be due to lack of appropriate diagnosis, treatment and cataloging of cancer cases. Because patients seldom exhibit symptoms until an advanced stage of the disease, pancreatic cancer remains one of the most lethal malignant neoplasms that caused 432,242 new deaths in 2018 (GLOBOCAN 2018 estimates). Globally, 458,918 new cases of pancreatic cancer have been reported in 2018, and 355,317 new cases are estimated to occur until 2040. Despite advancements in the detection and management of pancreatic cancer, the 5-year survival rate still stands at 9% only. To date, the causes of pancreatic carcinoma are still insufficiently known, although certain risk factors have been identified, such as tobacco smoking, diabetes mellitus, obesity, dietary factors, alcohol abuse, age, ethnicity, family history and genetic factors, Helicobacter pylori infection, non-O blood group and chronic pancreatitis. In general population, screening of large groups is not considered useful to detect the disease at its early stage, although newer techniques and the screening of tightly targeted groups (especially of those with family history), are being evaluated. Primary prevention is considered of utmost importance. Up-to-date statistics on pancreatic cancer occurrence and outcome along with a better understanding of the etiology and identifying the causative risk factors are essential for the primary prevention of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashanth Rawla
- Department of Internal Medicine, SOVAH Health, Martinsville, VA 24112, USA
| | - Tagore Sunkara
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Mercy Medical Center, Des Moines, IA 50314, USA
| | - Vinaya Gaduputi
- Division of Gastroenterology, SBH Health System, Bronx, NY, USA
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Chajduk E, Pyszynska M, Polkowska-Motrenko H. Determination of Trace Elements in Infant Formulas Available on Polish Market. Biol Trace Elem Res 2018; 186:589-596. [PMID: 29679351 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-018-1339-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the levels of 13 essential and toxic elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, V, Zn) in the infant formulas, available on Polish market. Selected food samples were of animal (cow- and goat-based milks) and plant (soy-based milk, hypoallergic products, grain porridges) origin. Two analytical techniques, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and neutron activation analysis (NAA), have been complementarily applied to analyze elemental content of 16 formulas dedicated for infants between 0 and 8 months. For arsenic determinations, the radiochemical mode of NAA was also used. The daily intake of some micronutrients in the age 0-8 months for non-breastfed infants was estimated and compared with present safety limits. Certified reference materials (CRMs) have been used for the validation of the methods: Non-fat Milk Powder 1549 (National Bureau of Standards-NBS), Soya Bean Flour INCT-SBF-4 (Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology-INCT), Rice Flour SRM 1568b (National Institute of Standards and Technology-NIST).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Chajduk
- Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Dorodna 16, 03-190, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Marta Pyszynska
- Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Dorodna 16, 03-190, Warsaw, Poland
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Wu X, Yang B, Hu Y, Sun R, Wang H, Fu J, Hou Y, Pi J, Xu Y. NRF2 Is a Potential Modulator of Hyperresistance to Arsenic Toxicity in Stem-Like Keratinocytes. Oxid Med Cell Longev 2017; 2017:7417694. [PMID: 29081891 PMCID: PMC5610874 DOI: 10.1155/2017/7417694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Revised: 07/07/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Arsenic is a well-known human carcinogen. Stem cells are indicated to be involved in arsenic carcinogenesis and have a survival selection advantage during arsenic exposure with underlying mechanisms undefined. In the present study, we demonstrated that CD34high-enriched cells derived from HaCaT human keratinocytes showed stem-like phenotypes. These cells were more resistant to arsenic toxicity and had higher arsenic efflux ability than their mature compartments. The master transcription factor in antioxidant defense, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) with its downstream genes, was highly expressed in CD34high-enriched cells. Stable knockdown of NRF2 abolished the hyperresistance to arsenic toxicity and holoclone-forming ability of CD34high-enriched cells. Our results suggest that skin epithelial stem/progenitor cells are more resistant to arsenic toxicity than mature cells, which is associated with the high innate expression of NRF2 in skin epithelial stem/progenitor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiafang Wu
- Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Bei Yang
- Department of Histology and Embryology, College of Basic Medical Sciences, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yuxin Hu
- Experimental Teaching Center, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Ru Sun
- Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Huihui Wang
- Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jingqi Fu
- Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yongyong Hou
- Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Jingbo Pi
- Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Experimental Teaching Center, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
| | - Yuanyuan Xu
- Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
- Experimental Teaching Center, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China
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Chajduk E, Polkowska-Motrenko H. Application of ICP-MS, INAA and RNAA to the determination of some "difficult" elements in infant formulas. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2016; 311:1347-1353. [PMID: 28250548 PMCID: PMC5306268 DOI: 10.1007/s10967-016-5042-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
In this work a determination of selected elements in the infant formulas commercially available on the Polish market was done. 14 different materials (milk-based formulas and grain porridges) were analyzed. Both, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) were applied for the determination of As, Cr, Fe and Se, which are recognized as the problematic elements for ICP-MS. For As and Se, the radiochemical NAA was also used. The daily intake of Se and Fe in the age 0-6 months for non-breast fed infants was estimated and compared with present safety limits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewelina Chajduk
- Laboratory of Nuclear Analytical Techniques, Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, 16 Dorodna, 03-195 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Halina Polkowska-Motrenko
- Laboratory of Nuclear Analytical Techniques, Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, 16 Dorodna, 03-195 Warsaw, Poland
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Yorifuji T, Kato T, Ohta H, Bellinger DC, Matsuoka K, Grandjean P. Neurological and neuropsychological functions in adults with a history of developmental arsenic poisoning from contaminated milk powder. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2016; 53:75-80. [PMID: 26689609 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2015.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Revised: 11/27/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
During the summer of 1955, mass arsenic poisoning of bottle-fed infants occurred in the western part of Japan due to contaminated milk powder, and more than 100 died; some childhood victims were later found to suffer from neurological sequelae in adolescence. This unique incident enabled us to explore infancy as a critical period of arsenic exposure in regard to developmental neurotoxicity and its possible persistence through adulthood. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the association between developmental arsenic exposure and the neurological outcomes more than 50 years later. We conducted a retrospective cohort study during the period from April 2012 to February 2013 in two hospitals in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. The study sample consisted of 50 individuals: 27 known poisoning victims from Okayama Prefecture, and 23 non-exposed local controls of similar age. In addition to neurological examination, we adapted a battery of neurophysiological and neuropsychological tests to identify the types of brain functions affected by early-life arsenic exposure. While limited abnormalities were found in the neurophysiological tests, neuropsychological deficits were observed. Except for Finger tapping, all test scores in the exposed group--Vocabulary and Block Design from Wechsler Adults Intelligent Scale III, Design memory subtest from Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning 2, and Grooved pegboard test--were substantially below those obtained by the unexposed. The exposed group showed average performance at least 1.2 standard deviations below the average for the controls. Exposed participants performed less well than controls, even after exclusion of subjects with recognized disabilities or those with a high level of education. Adults who had suffered arsenic poisoning during infancy revealed neuropsychological dysfunctions, even among those subjects not recognized as having disabilities. Developmental neurotoxicity due to arsenic likely results in permanent changes in brain functions.
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Broberg K, Ahmed S, Engström K, Hossain MB, Jurkovic Mlakar S, Bottai M, Grandér M, Raqib R, Vahter M. Arsenic exposure in early pregnancy alters genome-wide DNA methylation in cord blood, particularly in boys. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2014; 5:288-98. [PMID: 24965135 PMCID: PMC4283288 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174414000221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2013] [Revised: 03/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Early-life inorganic arsenic exposure influences not only child health and development but also health in later life. The adverse effects of arsenic may be mediated by epigenetic mechanisms, as there are indications that arsenic causes altered DNA methylation of cancer-related genes. The objective was to assess effects of arsenic on genome-wide DNA methylation in newborns. We studied 127 mothers and cord blood of their infants. Arsenic exposure in early and late pregnancy was assessed by concentrations of arsenic metabolites in maternal urine, measured by high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Genome-wide 5-methylcytosine methylation in mononuclear cells from cord blood was analyzed by Infinium HumanMethylation450K BeadChip. Urinary arsenic in early gestation was associated with cord blood DNA methylation (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, P-value<10-15), with more pronounced effects in boys than in girls. In boys, 372 (74%) of the 500 top CpG sites showed lower methylation with increasing arsenic exposure (r S -values>-0.62), but in girls only 207 (41%) showed inverse correlation (r S -values>-0.54). Three CpG sites in boys (cg15255455, cg13659051 and cg17646418), but none in girls, were significantly correlated with arsenic after adjustment for multiple comparisons. The associations between arsenic and DNA methylation were robust in multivariable-adjusted linear regression models. Much weaker associations were observed with arsenic exposure in late compared with early gestation. Pathway analysis showed overrepresentation of affected cancer-related genes in boys, but not in girls. In conclusion, early prenatal arsenic exposure appears to decrease DNA methylation in boys. Associations between early exposure and DNA methylation might reflect interference with de novo DNA methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Broberg
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Unit of Metals and Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Section of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - S. Ahmed
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Unit of Metals and Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - K. Engström
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Section of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - M. B. Hossain
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Unit of Metals and Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Section of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - S. Jurkovic Mlakar
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - M. Bottai
- Unit of Biostatistics, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M. Grandér
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Unit of Metals and Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - R. Raqib
- International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - M. Vahter
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Unit of Metals and Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Farzan SF, Karagas MR, Chen Y. In utero and early life arsenic exposure in relation to long-term health and disease. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2013; 272:384-90. [PMID: 23859881 PMCID: PMC3783578 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2013.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2013] [Revised: 06/28/2013] [Accepted: 06/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a growing body of evidence that prenatal and early childhood exposure to arsenic from drinking water can have serious long-term health implications. OBJECTIVES Our goal was to understand the potential long-term health and disease risks associated with in utero and early life exposure to arsenic, as well as to examine parallels between findings from epidemiological studies with those from experimental animal models. METHODS We examined the current literature and identified relevant studies through PubMed by using combinations of the search terms "arsenic", "in utero", "transplacental", "prenatal" and "fetal". DISCUSSION Ecological studies have indicated associations between in utero and/or early life exposure to arsenic at high levels and increases in mortality from cancer, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease. Additional data from epidemiologic studies suggest intermediate effects in early life that are related to risk of these and other outcomes in adulthood. Experimental animal studies largely support studies in humans, with strong evidence of transplacental carcinogenesis, atherosclerosis and respiratory disease, as well as insight into potential underlying mechanisms of arsenic's health effects. CONCLUSIONS As millions worldwide are exposed to arsenic and evidence continues to support a role for in utero arsenic exposure in the development of a range of later life diseases, there is a need for more prospective studies examining arsenic's relation to early indicators of disease and at lower exposure levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shohreh F. Farzan
- Children’s Environmental Health & Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755
- Section of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Community and Family Medicine and Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, 03756
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Children’s Environmental Health & Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Hanover, NH 03755
- Section of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Community and Family Medicine and Norris Cotton Cancer Center, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH, 03756
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Population Health, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, 10016
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Davoodi
- Dept. of Clinical Nutrition and Dietology; National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Inst.; Faculty of Nutrition Sciences; Food Science and Technology; Shahid Beheshti Univ. of Medical Sciences; P.O. Box 19395-4741; Tehran; Iran
| | - S. Esmaeili
- Young Researchers Club; Varamin-Pishva Branch; Islamic Azad Univ.; Varamin; Iran
| | - A.M. Mortazavian
- Dept. of Food Science and Technology; National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Inst.; Faculty of Nutrition Sciences; Food Science and Technology; Shahid Beheshti Univ. of Medical Sciences; P.O. Box 19395-4741 Tehran; Iran
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Amaral AFS, Porta M, Silverman DT, Milne RL, Kogevinas M, Rothman N, Cantor KP, Jackson BP, Pumarega JA, López T, Carrato A, Guarner L, Real FX, Malats N. Pancreatic cancer risk and levels of trace elements. Gut 2012; 61:1583-8. [PMID: 22184070 PMCID: PMC3310963 DOI: 10.1136/gutjnl-2011-301086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Knowledge on the aetiology of exocrine pancreatic cancer (EPC) is scant. The best established risk factor for EPC is tobacco smoking. Among other carcinogens, tobacco contains cadmium, a metal previously associated with an increased risk of EPC. This study evaluated the association between concentrations of trace elements in toenails and EPC risk. METHODS The study included 118 EPC cases and 399 hospital controls from eastern Spain. Levels of 12 trace elements were determined in toenail samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. OR and 95% CI, adjusted for potential confounders, were calculated using logistic regression. RESULTS Significantly increased risks of EPC were observed among subjects whose concentrations of cadmium (OR 3.58, 95% CI 1.86 to 6.88; p(trend)=5×10(-6)), arsenic (OR 2.02, 95% CI 1.08 to 3.78; p(trend)=0.009) and lead (OR 6.26, 95% CI 2.71 to 14.47; p(trend)=3×10(-5)) were in the highest quartile. High concentrations of selenium (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.15; p(trend)=8×10(-11)) and nickel (OR 0.27, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.59; p(trend)=2×10(-4)) were inversely associated with the risk of EPC. CONCLUSION Novel associations are reported of lead, nickel and selenium toenail concentrations with pancreas cancer risk. Furthermore, the results confirm previous associations with cadmium and arsenic. These novel findings, if replicated in independent studies, would point to an important role of trace elements in pancreatic carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- André F. S. Amaral
- Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miquel Porta
- Institut Municipal d'Investigació Mèdica (IMIM), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and CIBERESP, Spain
| | - Debra T. Silverman
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Roger L. Milne
- Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Nathaniel Rothman
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Brian P. Jackson
- Trace Element Analysis Core, Department of Earth Sciences, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - José A. Pumarega
- Institut Municipal d'Investigació Mèdica (IMIM), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and CIBERESP, Spain
| | - Tomàs López
- Institut Municipal d'Investigació Mèdica (IMIM), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and CIBERESP, Spain
| | - Alfredo Carrato
- Hospital Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, and Hospital General de Elche, Spain
| | | | - Francisco X. Real
- Epithelial Carcinogenesis Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain, and Departament de Ciències Experimentals i de la Salut, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Núria Malats
- Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology Group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
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Smith AH, Marshall G, Liaw J, Yuan Y, Ferreccio C, Steinmaus C. Mortality in young adults following in utero and childhood exposure to arsenic in drinking water. Environ Health Perspect 2012; 120:1527-31. [PMID: 22949133 PMCID: PMC3556614 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1104867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2011] [Accepted: 09/04/2012] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Beginning in 1958, the city of Antofagasta in northern Chile was exposed to high arsenic concentrations (870 µg/L) when it switched water sources. The exposure abruptly stopped in 1970 when an arsenic-removal plant commenced operations. A unique exposure scenario like this--with an abrupt start, clear end, and large population (125,000 in 1970), all with essentially the same exposure--is rare in environmental epidemiology. Evidence of increased mortality from lung cancer, bronchiectasis, myocardial infarction, and kidney cancer has been reported among young adults who were in utero or children during the high-exposure period. OBJECTIVE We investigated other causes of mortality in Antofagasta among 30- to 49-year-old adults who were in utero or ≤ 18 years of age during the high-exposure period. METHODS We compared mortality data between Antofagasta and the rest of Chile for people 30-49 years of age during 1989-2000. We estimated expected deaths from mortality rates in all of Chile, excluding Region II where Antofagasta is located, and calculated standardized mortality ratios (SMRs). RESULTS We found evidence of increased mortality from bladder cancer [SMR = 18.1; 95% confidence interval (CI): 11.3, 27.4], laryngeal cancer (SMR = 8.1; 95% CI: 3.5, 16.0), liver cancer (SMR = 2.5; 95% CI: 1.6, 3.7), and chronic renal disease (SMR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.5, 2.8). CONCLUSIONS Taking together our findings in the present study and previous evidence of increased mortality from other causes of death, we conclude that arsenic in Antofagasta drinking water has resulted in the greatest increases in mortality in adults < 50 years of age ever associated with early-life environmental exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan H Smith
- Arsenic Health Effects Research Program, School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720-7360, USA.
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Boekelheide K, Blumberg B, Chapin RE, Cote I, Graziano JH, Janesick A, Lane R, Lillycrop K, Myatt L, States JC, Thayer KA, Waalkes MP, Rogers JM. Predicting later-life outcomes of early-life exposures. Environ Health Perspect 2012; 120:1353-61. [PMID: 22672778 PMCID: PMC3491941 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1204934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2012] [Accepted: 06/06/2012] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In utero exposure of the fetus to a stressor can lead to disease in later life. Epigenetic mechanisms are likely mediators of later-life expression of early-life events. OBJECTIVES We examined the current state of understanding of later-life diseases resulting from early-life exposures in order to identify in utero and postnatal indicators of later-life diseases, develop an agenda for future research, and consider the risk assessment implications of this emerging knowledge. METHODS This review was developed based on our participation in a National Research Council workshop titled "Use of in Utero and Postnatal Indicators to Predict Health Outcomes Later in Life: State of the Science and Research Recommendations." We used a case study approach to highlight the later-life consequences of early-life malnutrition and arsenic exposure. DISCUSSION The environmental sensitivity of the epigenome is viewed as an adaptive mechanism by which the developing organism adjusts its metabolic and homeostatic systems to suit the anticipated extrauterine environment. Inappropriate adaptation may produce a mismatch resulting in subsequent increased susceptibility to disease. A nutritional mismatch between the prenatal and postnatal environments, or early-life obesogen exposure, may explain at least some of the recent rapid increases in the rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Early-life arsenic exposure is also associated with later-life diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. CONCLUSIONS With mounting evidence connecting early-life exposures and later-life disease, new strategies are needed to incorporate this emerging knowledge into health protective practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Boekelheide
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
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17
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Tokar EJ, Diwan BA, Thomas DJ, Waalkes MP. Tumors and proliferative lesions in adult offspring after maternal exposure to methylarsonous acid during gestation in CD1 mice. Arch Toxicol 2012; 86:975-82. [PMID: 22398986 PMCID: PMC3459060 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-012-0820-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Developmental exposure to inorganic arsenic is carcinogenic in humans and mice, and adult offspring of mice exposed to inorganic arsenic can develop tumors of the lung, liver, adrenal, uterus, and ovary. It has been suggested that methylarsonous acid (MMA3+), a product of the biological methylation of inorganic arsenic, could be a key carcinogenic species. Thus, pregnant CD1 mice were provided drinking water containing MMA3+ at 0 (control), 12.5, or 25 parts per million (ppm) from gestational days 8 to 18. Tumors were assessed in groups of male or female (initial n = 25) offspring up to 2 years of age. In utero treatment had no effect on survival or body weights. Female offspring exhibited increases in total epithelial uterine tumors (control 0%; 12.5 ppm 26%; 25 ppm 30%), oviduct hyperplasia (control 4%; 12.5 ppm 35%; 25 ppm 43%), adrenal cortical adenoma at 25 ppm (control 0%; 12.5 ppm 9%; 25 ppm 26%), and total epithelial ovarian tumors (control 0%; 12.5 ppm 39%; 25 ppm 26%). Male offspring showed dose-related increases in hepatocellular carcinoma (control 0%; 12.5 ppm 12%; 25 ppm 22%), adrenal adenoma (control 0%; 12.5 ppm 28%; 25 ppm 17%), and lung adenocarcinoma (control 17%; 12.5 ppm 44%). Male offspring had unusual testicular lesions, including two rete testis carcinomas, two adenomas, and three interstitial cell tumors. Overall, maternal consumption of MMA3+ during pregnancy in CD1 mice produced some similar proliferative lesions as gestationally applied inorganic arsenic in the offspring during adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik J. Tokar
- Inorganic Toxicology Group, National Toxicology Program Laboratory Branch, Division of the National Toxicology Program, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, and Inorganic Carcinogenesis Section, Laboratory of Comparative Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Institute at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Bhalchandra A. Diwan
- Basic Research Program, SAIC-Frederick, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Frederick, MD (retired)
| | - David J. Thomas
- Integrated Systems Toxicology Division, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, NC
| | - Michael P. Waalkes
- Inorganic Toxicology Group, National Toxicology Program Laboratory Branch, Division of the National Toxicology Program, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, and Inorganic Carcinogenesis Section, Laboratory of Comparative Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Institute at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC
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Pearce DC, Dowling K, Sim MR. Cancer incidence and soil arsenic exposure in a historical gold mining area in Victoria, Australia: a geospatial analysis. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 2012; 22:248-257. [PMID: 22434113 DOI: 10.1038/jes.2012.15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2011] [Accepted: 12/19/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Soil and mine waste around historical gold mining sites may have elevated arsenic concentrations. Recent evidence suggests some systemic arsenic absorption by residents in the goldfields region of Victoria, Australia. Victorian Cancer Registry and geochemical data were accessed for an ecological geographical correlation study, 1984-2003. Spatial empirical Bayes smoothing was applied when estimating standardised incidence ratios (SIRs) for cancers in 61 statistical local areas. The derived soil arsenic exposure metric ranged from 1.4 to 1857 mg/kg. Spatial autoregressive modelling detected increases in smoothed SIRs for all cancers of 0.05 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.02-0.08) and 0.04 (0.01-0.07) per 2.7-fold increase in the natural log-transformed exposure metric for males and females, respectively, in more socioeconomically disadvantaged areas; for melanoma in males (0.05 (0.01-0.08) adjusted for disadvantage) and females (0.05 (0.02-0.09) in disadvantaged areas). Excess risks were estimated for all cancers (relative risk 1.21 (95% CI, 1.15-1.27) and 1.08 (1.03-1.14)), and melanoma (1.52 (1.25-1.85) and 1.29 (1.08-1.55)), for males and females, respectively, in disadvantaged areas in the highest quintile of the exposure metric relative to the lowest. Our findings suggest small but significant increases in past cancer risk associated with increasing soil arsenic in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas and demonstrate the robustness of this geospatial approach.
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Hughes MF, Beck BD, Chen Y, Lewis AS, Thomas DJ. Arsenic exposure and toxicology: a historical perspective. Toxicol Sci 2011; 123:305-32. [PMID: 21750349 PMCID: PMC3179678 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfr184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 692] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2011] [Accepted: 06/30/2011] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The metalloid arsenic is a natural environmental contaminant to which humans are routinely exposed in food, water, air, and soil. Arsenic has a long history of use as a homicidal agent, but in the past 100 years arsenic, has been used as a pesticide, a chemotherapeutic agent and a constituent of consumer products. In some areas of the world, high levels of arsenic are naturally present in drinking water and are a toxicological concern. There are several structural forms and oxidation states of arsenic because it forms alloys with metals and covalent bonds with hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and other elements. Environmentally relevant forms of arsenic are inorganic and organic existing in the trivalent or pentavalent state. Metabolism of arsenic, catalyzed by arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase, is a sequential process of reduction from pentavalency to trivalency followed by oxidative methylation back to pentavalency. Trivalent arsenic is generally more toxicologically potent than pentavalent arsenic. Acute effects of arsenic range from gastrointestinal distress to death. Depending on the dose, chronic arsenic exposure may affect several major organ systems. A major concern of ingested arsenic is cancer, primarily of skin, bladder, and lung. The mode of action of arsenic for its disease endpoints is currently under study. Two key areas are the interaction of trivalent arsenicals with sulfur in proteins and the ability of arsenic to generate oxidative stress. With advances in technology and the recent development of animal models for arsenic carcinogenicity, understanding of the toxicology of arsenic will continue to improve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Hughes
- Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, USA.
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Tokar EJ, Qu W, Waalkes MP. Arsenic, stem cells, and the developmental basis of adult cancer. Toxicol Sci 2011; 120 Suppl 1:S192-203. [PMID: 21071725 PMCID: PMC3043086 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfq342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2010] [Accepted: 11/08/2010] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
That chemical insults or nutritive changes during in utero and/or postnatal life can emerge as diseases much later in life are now being accepted as a recurring phenomenon. In this regard, inorganic arsenic is a multisite human carcinogen found at high levels in the drinking water of millions of people, although it has been difficult until recently to produce tumors in rodents with this metalloid. A mouse transplacental model has been developed where maternal exposure to inorganic arsenic either acts as a complete carcinogen or enhances carcinogenic response to other agents given subsequently in the offspring, producing tumors during adulthood. Similarly, human data now have emerged showing that arsenic exposure during the in utero period and/or in early life is associated with cancer in adulthood. The mouse arsenic transplacental model produces tumors or enhances response to other agents in multiple strains and tissues, including sites concordant with human targets of arsenic carcinogenesis. It is now believed that cancer often is a stem cell (SC)-based disease, and there is no reason to think cancer induced by developmental chemical exposure is any different. Indeed, arsenic impacts human SC population dynamics in vitro by blocking exit into differentiation pathways and whereby creating more key targets for transformation. In fact, during in vitro malignant transformation, arsenic causes a remarkable survival selection of SCs, creating a marked overabundance of cancer SCs (CSCs) compared with other carcinogens once a cancer phenotype is obtained. In addition, skin cancers produced following in utero arsenic exposure in mice are highly enriched in CSCs. Thus, arsenic impacts key, long-lived SC populations as critical targets to cause or facilitate later oncogenic events in adulthood as a possible mechanism of developmental basis of adult disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Michael P. Waalkes
- National Toxicology Program Laboratories, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
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Yorifuji T, Tsuda T, Doi H, Grandjean P. Cancer excess after arsenic exposure from contaminated milk powder. Environ Health Prev Med 2010; 16:164-70. [PMID: 21431798 DOI: 10.1007/s12199-010-0182-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2010] [Accepted: 09/03/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic is related to increased risk of cancer in the lung, skin, bladder, and, possibly, other sites. However, little is known about the consequences of developmental exposures in regard to cancer risk. During early summer in 1955, mass arsenic poisoning of infants occurred in the western part of Japan because of contaminated milk powder. Okayama Prefecture was most severely affected. We examined whether the affected birth cohorts in this prefecture experienced increased cancer mortality. METHODS We targeted subjects who were born from September 1950 to August 1960 and died in Okayama Prefecture between January 1969 and March 2008 due to malignant neoplasm (N = 3,141). We then compared cancer mortality (total, liver, pancreatic, lung, bladder/kidney, and hematopoietic cancers) between cohorts born before the milk poisoning (exposed group) and cohorts born after the poisoning (nonexposed group). We estimated mortality ratios and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS Total and liver cancers were elevated in the cohort up to 1 year of age at time of the poisoning. In addition, pancreatic and hematopoietic cancers were elevated in the cohorts up to 5 years of age, and mortality ratios were approximately twice those of the nonexposed group. Increased risk of lung and bladder/kidney cancers was not apparent. CONCLUSIONS Although dilution is present in these cohort-based data, our study highlights the notion that developmental arsenic exposure may lead to a different pattern of cancer, including increases in pancreatic and hematopoietic cancer, as compared with adult or lifetime exposures to inorganic arsenic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Yorifuji
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, 3-112-12 East, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
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