Evaluation of aortic elasticity parameters in arsenic exposed workers

Abstract

One of the major complications of arsenic on human health is hypertension. Arsenic-related hypertension and negative effects of arsenic on arterial system such as oxidative stress and vasoconstriction/vasorelaxation imbalance may lead to impair aortic elasticity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of arsenic on aortic elasticity parameters including aortic strain and distensibility. One hundred twelve (112) workers were occupationally exposed to arsenic and 60 healthy control subjects were enroled. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography for detecting aortic strain and aortic distensibility. There were no differences in baseline demographic and echocardiographic characteristics between the groups. Aortic strain (10.3±3.9 vs 12.1±2.7%, P=0.001) and aortic distensibility (0.45±0.17 vs 0.54±0.15 cm per dyn, P=0.001) were decreased in arsenic-exposure group compared with controls. Urinary arsenic level was found to be negatively and significantly correlated with aortic strain (r=-0.306, P=0.001) and aortic distensibility (r=-0.259, P=0.006). Duration of arsenic exposure was also found to be negatively and significantly correlated with aortic strain (r=-0.386, P<0.001) and aortic distensibility (r=-0.333, P<0.001). This study suggests that arsenic exposure is related to impairment of aortic elasticity parameters even in subjects without overt cardiovascular disease.

Aortic Elasticity and Arsenic Exposure: A Step Function rather than a Linear Function

“…We observe here that arsenic as a risk factor for aortic strain seems to fit a threshold model in the Karakulak et al (2016) data set and also that aortic (central arterial) strain as a risk factor for hypertension seems to fit a threshold model in the studies of Dernellis and Panaretou (2005), Kaess et al (2012), Liao et al (1999), andNajjar et al (2008). Further we have observed that the arsenic as a risk factor for hypertension is also demonstrated to fit a threshold model in both Zhong et al (2019) and Jiang et al (2015).…”

“…The cut-point between the first quartile and the upper three quartiles was at 106 µg /gm creatinine. Thus, there are a few studies that indicate that the threshold model seen in Karakulak et al (2016) for arsenic exposure and aortic elasticity might be appropriate for arsenic exposure and hypertension (Jiang et al, 2015;Zhong et al, 2019). Unfortunately, there is no consistent conversion of µg/gm creatinine to µg/L.…”

“…Aortic strain measurements had been derived from transthoracic echocardiography findings using the equation: Aortic Strain (%) = (AoS − AoD) × 100/AoD, where AoS was the aortic systolic diameter at the time of full opening of the aortic valve and AoD was the aortic diastolic diameter at the time of the R-wave of the electrocardiogram. The specifics of the study group and the measurements are given in Karakulak et al (2016). Other studies have used ultrasound to measure pulse wave velocity (PWV), pulse pressure or arterial diameter change as their metric for stiffness of either the aorta or smaller arteries.…”

Arsenic in Drinking Water and Lung Cancer Mortality in the United States: An Analysis Based on US Counties and 30 Years of Observation (1950–1979)

“…Niedzwiecki et al [ 55 ] found significant decreases in global methylation of DNA in peripheral blood monocytes only at exposure of greater than 300 μ g/L in the drinking water in Bangladesh. Similarly, Karakulak et al [ 56 ] found that aortic elasticity parameters in arsenic-exposed workers diminished only when urinary arsenic levels exceeded about 150 μ g/L.…”

A quality assessment of public water fountains and relation to human health: a case study from Yozgat, Turkey

“…Due to the ionic form of waterborne minerals and easy absorption by the gastrointestinal tract, it has been suggested that drinking water may be an important source of mineral intake (Neri et al ., ; Gibson et al ., ; Heany and Dowell, ). Industrial activities, including welding, mining, smelting are the other sources of toxic metal exposure (Karakulak et al ., ; Çetintepe et al ., ).…”