Elevated levels of plasma uric acid and its relation to hypertension in arsenic-endemic human individuals in Bangladesh

• Published in: Toxicology and applied pharmacology Vol. 281; no. 1; pp. 11 - 18
• Main Authors: Huda, Nazmul, Hossain, Shakhawoat, Rahman, Mashiur, Karim, Md. Rezaul, Islam, Khairul, Mamun, Abdullah Al, Hossain, Md. Imam, Mohanto, Nayan Chandra, Alam, Shahnur, Aktar, Sharmin, Arefin, Afroza, Ali, Nurshad, Salam, Kazi Abdus, Aziz, Abdul, Saud, Zahangir Alam, Miyataka, Hideki, Himeno, Seiichiro, Hossain, Khaled
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 15.11.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: 60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES; Adolescent; Adult; ARSENIC; Arsenic - administration & dosage; Arsenic - toxicity; Arsenic Poisoning - blood; Arsenic Poisoning - epidemiology; Arterial hypertension. Arterial hypotension; BANGLADESH; Bangladesh - epidemiology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomarkers - blood; BLOOD; Blood and lymphatic vessels; BLOOD PRESSURE; Carcinogenesis, carcinogens and anticarcinogens; Cardiology. Vascular system; Chemical agents; Chemical and industrial products toxicology. Toxic occupational diseases; CONCENTRATION RATIO; Cross-Sectional Studies; DISEASE INCIDENCE; DOSES; DRINKING WATER; Drinking Water - adverse effects; Female; HAIR; Hair - chemistry; Hair - drug effects; HUMAN POPULATIONS; Humans; HYPERTENSION; Hypertension - blood; Hypertension - chemically induced; Hypertension - epidemiology; Male; Medical sciences; Metals and various inorganic compounds; Middle Aged; MOLECULES; MORTALITY; NAILS; Nails - chemistry; Nails - drug effects; REGRESSION ANALYSIS; SMOKES; Toxicology; Tumors; UREA; URIC ACID; Uric Acid - blood; Water Pollutants, Chemical - administration & dosage; Water Pollutants, Chemical - toxicity; Water Supply - standards; Young Adult; Asia; Bangladesh; CRP; SBP; Hypertension; Arsenic; ICAM-1; Uric acid; Ox-LDL; VCAM-1; Bangladesh; DBP; LDL; BUN; PUA; CVDs; BMI; CRM; Human; Carcinogen; Biological fluid; Cardiovascular disease; Endemy; Blood plasma
• ISSN: 0041-008X; 1096-0333; 1096-0333
• DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2014.09.011

Blood uric acid has been recognized as a putative marker for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). CVDs are the major causes of arsenic-related morbidity and mortality. However, the association of arsenic exposure with plasma uric acid (PUA) levels in relation to CVDs has not yet been explored. This study for the first time demonstrated the associations of arsenic exposure with PUA levels and its relationship with hypertension. A total of 483 subjects, 322 from arsenic-endemic and 161 from non-endemic areas in Bangladesh were recruited as study subjects. Arsenic concentrations in the drinking water, hair and nails of the study subjects were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. PUA levels were measured using a colorimetric method. We found that PUA levels were significantly (p<0.001) higher in males and females living in arsenic-endemic areas than those in non-endemic area. Arsenic exposure (water, hair and nail arsenic) levels showed significant positive correlations with PUA levels. In multiple regression analyses, arsenic exposure levels were found to be the most significant contributors on PUA levels among the other variables that included age, body mass index, blood urea nitrogen, and smoking. There were dose–response relationships between arsenic exposure and PUA levels. Furthermore, diastolic and systolic blood pressure showed significant positive correlations with PUA levels. Finally, the average PUA levels were significantly higher in the hypertensive group than those in the normotensive group in both males and females living in arsenic-endemic areas. These results suggest that arsenic exposure-related elevation of PUA levels may be implicated in arsenic-induced CVDs. •PUA levels were higher in arsenic-endemic subjects than in non-endemic subjects.•Drinking water, hair and nail arsenic showed significant associations with PUA levels.•Drinking water, hair and nail arsenic showed dose–response relationships with PUA.•Arsenic-endemic hypertensive study subjects had elevated levels of PUA.•Increased PUA levels may be implicated in arsenic-induced CVDs.