Association Between Arsenic Exposure From Drinking Water and Plasma Levels of Cardiovascular Markers

Abstract

The authors conducted a cross-sectional study to assess the relation between arsenic exposure from drinking water and plasma levels of markers of systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction (matrix metalloproteinase-9, myeloperoxidase, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, soluble E-selectin, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and soluble vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1)) using baseline data from 668 participants (age, >30 years) in the Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study in Bangladesh (2007-2008). Both well water arsenic and urinary arsenic were positively associated with plasma levels of soluble VCAM-1. For every 1-unit increase in log-transformed well water arsenic (ln μg/L) and urinary arsenic (ln μg/g creatinine), plasma soluble VCAM-1 was 1.02 (95% confidence interval: 1.01, 1.03) and 1.04 (95% confidence interval: 1.01, 1.07) times greater, respectively. There was a significant interaction between arsenic exposure and higher body mass index, such that the increased levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and soluble VCAM-1 associated with arsenic exposure were stronger among people with higher body mass index. The findings indicate an effect of chronic arsenic exposure from drinking water on vascular inflammation and endothelial dysfunction that could be modified by body mass index and also suggest a potential mechanism underlying the association between arsenic exposure and cardiovascular disease.

Arsenic Exposure and Subclinical Endpoints of Cardiovascular Disease

“…In a cross-sectional analysis of 115 adults (20–65 years of age) with arsenic-related skin lesions from Araihazar, Bangladesh, there was a positive association of arsenic exposure at moderate levels (range 3–864 μg/L), measured as both well-water arsenic and total urinary arsenic, with plasma levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 [70]. The same group subsequently conducted independent separate cross-sectional analyses and confirmed a positive association between lower arsenic exposure (median 23 μg/L, range 0.1–500.6 μg/L) and plasma levels of sVCAM-1 [71]. However, no significant association was observed for plasma levels of sE-selectin and sICAM-1.…”

Cardiovascular Disease in Bangladesh: A Review

“…The Health Effects of Arsenic Longitudinal Study in Bangladesh (2007)(2008) has reported positive association between arsenic exposure from drinking water and plasma levels of markers of systemic inflammation and endothelial dysfunction. 124 In the same population, positive association has been found between inorganic arsenic exposure from drinking water and risk of hypertension , and more recently, increased cardiovascular mortality. Further basic, as well as, clinical research is needed to better define the role of arsenicosis in the aetiopathgenesis of CVD in Bangladeshi population.…”

Mortality for chronic-degenerative diseases in Tuscany: Ecological study comparing neighboring areas with substantial differences in environmental pollution

“…For instance, chronic lead overload (both evaluated by its blood and bone levels) is associated to arterial hypertension and dyslipidemia [22]. As a result, an increase in vascular inflammation and endothelial damage markers [24] and early carotid atherosclerotic changes [25] have been reported in chronically exposed subjects to heavy metals. A possible role of air-released pollutants may also be supposed.…”