A Potential Synergy between Incomplete Arsenic Methylation Capacity and Demographic Characteristics on the Risk of Hypertension: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study in an Arsenic-Endemic Area of Inner Mongolia, China

Yongfang Li, Da Wang, Xin Li, Quanmei Zheng and Guifan Sun
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Yongfang Li: Research Center of Environment and Non-Communicable Disease, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110013, China
Da Wang: Research Center of Environment and Non-Communicable Disease, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110013, China
Xin Li: Research Center of Environment and Non-Communicable Disease, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110013, China
Quanmei Zheng: Research Center of Environment and Non-Communicable Disease, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110013, China
Guifan Sun: Research Center of Environment and Non-Communicable Disease, School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang 110013, China

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 4, 1-18

Abstract: Inefficient arsenic methylation capacity has been associated with various health hazards induced by arsenic. In this study, we aimed to explore the interaction effect of lower arsenic methylation capacity with demographic characteristics on hypertension risk. A total of 512 adult participants (126 hypertension subjects and 386 non-hypertension subjects) residing in an arsenic-endemic area in Inner Mongolia, China were included. Urinary levels of inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) were measured for all subjects. The percentage of urinary arsenic metabolites (iAs%, MMA%, and DMA%), primary methylation index (PMI) and secondary methylation index (SMI) were calculated to assess arsenic methylation capacity of individuals. Results showed that participants carrying a lower methylation capacity, which is characterized by lower DMA% and SMI, have a higher risk of hypertension compared to their corresponding references after adjusting for multiple confounders. A potential synergy between poor arsenic methylation capacity (higher MMA%, lower DMA% and SMI) and older age or higher BMI were detected. The joint effects of higher MMA% and lower SMI with cigarette smoking also suggest some evidence of synergism. The findings of present study indicated that inefficient arsenic methylation capacity was associated with hypertension and the effect might be enhanced by certain demographic factors.

Keywords: arsenic; arsenic methylation capacity; hypertension; metabolites; demographic characteristics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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