Factors Affecting Arsenic Methylation in Contaminated Italian Areas

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.

Proteomic Analysis of Arsenic Resistance during Cyanide Assimilation by Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes CECT 5344

“…Proteins related to THF metabolism ( Figure 2 ) and also proteins involved in the synthesis of chorismate, a precursor of p-aminobenzoate, were induced in the presence of As(III), suggesting a relationship between THF metabolism and arsenic resistance. It has been shown that the administration of folic acid reduces arsenic toxicity in humans [ 56 ], and this effect could be due to the requirement of THF for arsenic methylation, either directly or allowing the synthesis and recycling of SAM, which is required for ArsM-type methyltransferases [ 57 , 58 ]. In addition, the enzyme GAPDH catalyzes the formation of arseno-phosphoglycerate, which is exported by the permease ArsJ [ 30 , 31 ].…”

Molecular Mechanism of Arsenic-Induced Neurotoxicity including Neuronal Dysfunctions

“…Some arsenic-containing composites are also utilized in the production of optics and microelectronics [ 45 ]. Sodium arsenite has frequently been applied as a herbicide and nonselective soil sterilant [ 46 ].…”

Anthropometric measures and arsenic methylation among pregnant women in rural northern Bangladesh

“…Betaine is derived from choline, and choline synthesis is upregulated by estrogen ( Resseguie et al, 2007 ). Since adipose tissue is estrogenic ( Kershaw and Flier, 2004 ), Abuawad et al have proposed the causal pathway adiposity → estrogen → choline → arsenic methylation ( Abuawad et al, 2021 ; Bustaffa et al, 2020 ). They cautioned, however, that choline may promote adiposity ( Zeisel, 2013 ), and temporality among adiposity, choline, and arsenic methylation remains unclear ( Abuawad et al, 2021 ).…”