Changes in serum thioredoxin among individuals chronically exposed to arsenic in drinking water

Journal Article · Wed Feb 15 04:00:00 EST 2012 · Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.TAAP.2011.12.016· OSTI ID:22215247

Li, Yuanyuan; Gao, Yanhui; Zhao, Lijun ^[1]; Wei, Yudan ^[2]; Feng, Hongqi; Wang, Cheng; Wei, Wei; Ding, Yunpeng ^[1]; Sun, Dianjun ^[1]

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1. Center for Endemic Disease Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Harbin Medical University, Key Lab of Etiology and Epidemiology, Education Bureau of Hei Long Jiang Province and Ministry of Health (23618104), Harbin 150081 (China)
2. Department of Community Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Macon 31207, GA (United States)

It is well known that oxidative damage plays a key role in the development of chronic arsenicosis. There is a complex set of mechanisms of redox cycling in vivo to protect cells from the damage. In this study, we examined the differences in the levels of serum thioredoxin1 (TRX1) among individuals exposed to different levels of arsenic in drinking water and detected early biomarkers of arsenic poisoning before the appearance of skin lesions. A total of 157 subjects from endemic regions of China were selected and divided into arsenicosis group with skin lesions (total intake of arsenic: 8.68–45.71 mg-year) and non-arsenicosis group without skin lesions, which further divided into low (0.00–1.06 mg-year), medium (1.37–3.55 mg-year), and high (4.26–48.13 mg-year) arsenic exposure groups. Concentrations of serum TRX1 were analyzed by an ELISA method. Levels of water arsenic and urinary speciated arsenics, including inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylated arsenic (MMA), and dimethylated arsenic (DMA), were determined by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. Our results showed that the levels of serum TRX1 in arsenicosis patients were significantly higher than that of the subjects who were chronically exposed to arsenic, but without skin lesions. A positive correlation was seen between the levels of serum TRX1 and the total water arsenic intake or the levels of urinary arsenic species. The results of this study indicate that arsenic exposure could significantly change the levels of human serum TRX1, which can be detected before arsenic-specific dermatological symptoms occur. This study provides further evidence on revealing the mechanism of arsenic toxicity. -- Highlights: ► Three regions are selected as the areas affected by endemic arsenicosis of China. ► We first examine changes in serum TRX1 among individuals exposed to arsenic. ► A positive correlation was seen between serum TRX1 and total water arsenic intake. ► The same relationship was seen between serum TRX1 and urinary arsenic species. ► TRX as early biomarker of arsenicosis can be detected before skin lesions occur.

• OSTI ID: 22215247
• Journal Information: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Journal Name: Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 259; ISSN TXAPA9; ISSN 0041-008X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ARSENIC
BIOLOGICAL MARKERS
CHINA
DAMAGE
DRINKING WATER
ENZYME IMMUNOASSAY
INTAKE
OXIDATION
POISONING
SKIN
SYMPTOMS
TOXICITY