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Factors Affecting Arsenic Methylation in Contaminated Italian Areas

Author

Listed:
  • Elisa Bustaffa

    (Unit of Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registries, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56123 Pisa, Italy)

  • Francesca Gorini

    (Unit of Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registries, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56123 Pisa, Italy)

  • Fabrizio Bianchi

    (Unit of Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registries, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56123 Pisa, Italy)

  • Fabrizio Minichilli

    (Unit of Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registries, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56123 Pisa, Italy)

Abstract

Chronic arsenic (As) exposure is a critical public health issue. The As metabolism can be influenced by many factors. The objective of this study is to verify if these factors influence As metabolism in four Italian areas affected by As pollution. Descriptive analyses were conducted on 271 subjects aged 20–49 in order to assess the effect of each factor considered on As methylation. Percentages of metabolites of As in urine, primary and secondary methylation indexes were calculated as indicators for metabolic capacity. The results indicate that women have a better methylation capacity (MC) than men, and drinking As-contaminated water from public aqueducts is associated with poorer MC, especially in areas with natural As pollution. In areas with anthropogenic As pollution occupational exposure is associated with a higher MC while smoking with a poorer MC. Dietary habits and genetic characteristics are probably implicated in As metabolism. BMI, alcohol consumption and polymorphism of the AS3MT gene seem not to influence As MC. Arsenic metabolism may be affected by various factors and in order to achieve a comprehensive risk assessment of As-associated disease, it is crucial to understand how these factors contribute to differences in As metabolism.

Suggested Citation

  • Elisa Bustaffa & Francesca Gorini & Fabrizio Bianchi & Fabrizio Minichilli, 2020. "Factors Affecting Arsenic Methylation in Contaminated Italian Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-21, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:14:p:5226-:d:386895
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Qiang Zhang & Yongfang Li & Juan Liu & Da Wang & Quanmei Zheng & Guifan Sun, 2014. "Differences of Urinary Arsenic Metabolites and Methylation Capacity between Individuals with and without Skin Lesions in Inner Mongolia, Northern China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-14, July.
    2. Pamela Di Giovanni & Giuseppe Di Martino & Piera Scampoli & Fabrizio Cedrone & Francesca Meo & Giuseppe Lucisano & Ferdinando Romano & Tommaso Staniscia, 2020. "Arsenic Exposure and Risk of Urothelial Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-11, April.
    3. Hui Shen & Qiang Niu & Mengchuan Xu & Dongsheng Rui & Shangzhi Xu & Gangling Feng & Yusong Ding & Shugang Li & Mingxia Jing, 2016. "Factors Affecting Arsenic Methylation in Arsenic-Exposed Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Fabrizio Minichilli & Fabrizio Bianchi & Anna Maria Ronchi & Francesca Gorini & Elisa Bustaffa, 2018. "Urinary Arsenic in Human Samples from Areas Characterized by Natural or Anthropogenic Pollution in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-19, February.
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