Background
Arsenic‐related cardiovascular effects at exposure levels below the
US
Environmental Protection Agency's standard of 10 μg/L are unclear. For these populations, food, especially rice, is a major source of exposure. We investigated associations of rice intake, a marker of arsenic exposure, with subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD) markers in a multiethnic population.
Methods and Results
Between 2000 and 2002, MESA (Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) enrolled 6814 adults without clinical
CVD
. We included 5050 participants with baseline data on rice intake and markers of 3
CVD
domains: inflammation (hsCRP [high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein], interleukin‐6, and fibrinogen), vascular function (aortic distensibility, carotid distensibility, and brachial flow‐mediated dilation), and subclinical atherosclerosis at 3 vascular sites (carotid intima‐media thickness, coronary artery calcification, and ankle‐brachial index). We also evaluated endothelial‐related biomarkers previously associated with arsenic. Rice intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire. Urinary arsenic was measured in 310 participants. A total of 13% of participants consumed ≥1 serving of rice/day. Compared with individuals consuming <1 serving of rice/week, ≥1 serving of rice/day was not associated with subclinical markers after demographic, lifestyle, and
CVD
risk factor adjustment (eg, geometric mean ratio [95%
CI
] for hs
CRP
, 0.98 [0.86–1.11]; aortic distensibility, 0.99 [0.91–1.07]; and carotid intima‐media thickness, 0.98 [0.91–1.06]). Associations with urinary arsenic were similar to those for rice intake.
Conclusions
Rice intake was not associated with subclinical
CVD
markers in a multiethnic
US
population. Research using urinary arsenic is needed to assess potential
CVD
effects of low‐level arsenic exposure. Understanding the role of low‐level arsenic as it relates to subclinical
CVD
may contribute to
CVD
prevention and control.
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