Factors Affecting Arsenic Methylation in Arsenic-Exposed Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Hui Shen, Qiang Niu, Mengchuan Xu, Dongsheng Rui, Shangzhi Xu, Gangling Feng, Yusong Ding, Shugang Li and Mingxia Jing
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Hui Shen: Department of Public Health, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang, China
Qiang Niu: Department of Public Health, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang, China
Mengchuan Xu: Department of Public Health, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang, China
Dongsheng Rui: Department of Public Health, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang, China
Shangzhi Xu: Department of Public Health, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang, China
Gangling Feng: Department of Public Health, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang, China
Yusong Ding: Department of Public Health, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang, China
Shugang Li: Department of Public Health, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang, China
Mingxia Jing: Department of Public Health, Shihezi University School of Medicine, Shihezi 832000, Xinjiang, China

IJERPH, 2016, vol. 13, issue 2, 1-18

Abstract: Chronic arsenic exposure is a critical public health issue in many countries. The metabolism of arsenic in vivo is complicated because it can be influenced by many factors. In the present meta-analysis, two researchers independently searched electronic databases, including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Springer, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, to analyze factors influencing arsenic methylation. The concentrations of the following arsenic metabolites increase ( p < 0.000001) following arsenic exposure: inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethyl arsenic (MMA), dimethyl arsenic (DMA), and total arsenic. Additionally, the percentages of iAs (standard mean difference (SMD): 1.00; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60–1.40; p < 0.00001) and MMA (SMD: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.21–0.77; p = 0.0006) also increase, while the percentage of DMA (SMD: ?0.57; 95% CI: ?0.80–?0.31; p < 0.0001), primary methylation index (SMD: ?0.57; 95% CI: ?0.94–?0.20; p = 0.002), and secondary methylation index (SMD: ?0.27; 95% CI: ?0.46–?0.90; p = 0.004) decrease. Smoking, drinking, and older age can reduce arsenic methylation, and arsenic methylation is more efficient in women than in men. The results of this analysis may provide information regarding the role of arsenic oxidative methylation in the arsenic poisoning process.

Keywords: arsenic; methylation; meta-analysis; human (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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