Original Article
Relationship between skin injury outcome and urinary arsenic methylation metabolites levels in people exposed to arsenic through drinking water
Li Xinye, Deng Danyu, Zhao Fan, Liu Cong, Li Mengxin, Di Zhen, Cui Na, Liu Yijun, Kong Chang, Wei Binggan, Li Yanhong, Xia Yajuan, Guo Zhiwei
Published 2024-06-20
Cite as Chin J Endemiol, 2024, 43(6): 446-451. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn231583-20230329-00075
Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the outcome of skin injury and urinary arsenic methylation metabolism levels in people exposed to arsenic through drinking water.
MethodsUsing cluster sampling method, permanent residents from drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning areas in Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected as survey subjects in 2004 (before water improvement). In 2017 (after water improvement), 74 survey subjects from 2004 were tracked and followed up. Urine samples were collected from survey subjects and high-performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to detect the levels of arsenic methylation metabolites in urine. According to the "Diagnosis of Endemic Arsenic Poisoning" (WS/T 211-2015), the clinical grading (normal, suspicious, mild, moderate and severe) of skin injury of the survey subjects and the outcome of 2017 (improved, unchanged, aggravated) were assessed. A database was established and SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.
ResultsThe clinical grading ratios of skin injuries among survey subjects in 2004 and 2017 were compared, the differences were statistically significant (normal, suspicious, mild, moderate and severe: 38, 18, 4, 14 cases in 2004 and 27, 31, 3, 13 cases in 2017, χ2 = 53.02, P < 0.001). Compared with 2004, in 2017, the levels of total arsenic (tAs), inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsenic (MMA), dimethylarsenic (DMA), percentage of inorganic arsenic (iAs%), and ratio of monomethylarsenic to dimethylarsenic (MMA/DMA) in the urine of survey subjects were low, and the differences were statistically significant (Z = - 8.24, - 9.07, - 7.81, - 8.04, - 8.24, - 3.56, P < 0.001). The levels of dimethylarsenic percentage (DMA%), monomethylation rate (PMI) and dimethylation rate (SMI) were higher, and the differences were statistically significant (Z = - 6.39, - 8.24, - 3.52, P < 0.001). In 2004, patients with different clinical grading of skin injuries had different outcomes in 2017 (χ2 = 30.80, P < 0.001). There were statistically significant differences in tAs, iAs, MMA and DMA variation in urine among skin injury patients with different outcomes (H = 10.62, 9.35, 8.80, 9.13, P < 0.05).
ConclusionsImproving water can significantly reduce the levels of tAs, iAs, MMA, and DMA in the urine of arsenic exposed individuals. The outcome of skin injury in individuals exposed to arsenic through drinking water is related to the variation of urinary arsenic methylation metabolites tAs, iAs, MMA, and DMA.
Key words:
Arsenic poisoning; Methylation; Skin injury; Outcome
Contributor Information
Li Xinye
School of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, China
Deng Danyu
Department of Research and Education, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Academy of Preventive Medicine), Hohhot 010080, China
Zhao Fan
School of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, China
Liu Cong
School of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, China
Li Mengxin
School of Public Health, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot 010110, China
Di Zhen
Department of Endemic Diseases Prevention and Control, Hangjinhou Banner Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Bayannur 015400, China
Cui Na
Institute of Endemic Disease, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Academy of Preventive Medicine), Hohhot 010080, China
Liu Yijun
Institute of Endemic Disease, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Academy of Preventive Medicine), Hohhot 010080, China
Kong Chang
Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
Wei Binggan
Key Laboratory of Land Surface Pattern and Simulation, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
Li Yanhong
Institute of Endemic Disease, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Academy of Preventive Medicine), Hohhot 010080, China
Xia Yajuan
Institute of Endemic Disease, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Academy of Preventive Medicine), Hohhot 010080, China
Guo Zhiwei
Department of Research and Education, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Academy of Preventive Medicine), Hohhot 010080, China
