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Abstract
Trace elements (As, Se, Zn, Co, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Mn, and Hg) were analyzed in blood as well as urine of arsenic exposed people in Mexico by using ICP-MS to know the influence of trace elements for biotransformation process of inorganic arsenic.
The concentrations of Cu and Mn were significantly higher, and the concentrations of As, Zn, and Pb were significantly lower in blood for females compared to males. The correlations between the ratios of the concentrations of Se, Zn, Co, Cu, Pb, Cd, Ni, Mn, or Hg to As in blood as well as urine and urinary arsenic metabolites were stronger than the correlations found between the concentrations of above elements and urinary arsenic metabolites for both females and males. The concentrations of trace elements (for examples: Se, Mn, Hg, etc.) relative to As in urine and blood were positively correlated with urinary % inorg As as well as % MMA, and negatively correlated with % DMA as well as the ratios of % DMA to % MMA.
On the other hand, due to low level of creatinine in urine, adjusted urinary trace elements concentrations express as µg/g cre were significantly higher than the unadjusted concentrations express as µg/L for the urine groups with arsenic concentrations ≤50 µg As/L. But there were no significant correlations observed between adjusted and unadjusted concentrations of trace elements for the urine groups with arsenic concentrations >50 µg As/L. Adjusted urinary Se, Mn, and Hg concentrations were negatively and significantly associated with urinary creatinine for both females and males.
The results of this study suggest that trace elements may have influenced for biotransformation process of inorganic arsenic in humans. The results also suggest that Se, Mn as well as Hg may decrease arsenic methylation with decreasing creatinine formation for both sexes, but it could be concentration dependent.
Abbreviation: SAM, S-adenosyl-L-methionine; SAHC, S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine.
