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http://dx.doi.org/10.5668/JEHS.2021.47.6.530

MTHFR, As3MT and GSTO1 Polymorphisms Influencing Arsenic Metabolism in Residents Near Abandoned Metal Mines in South Korea  

Surenbaatar, Ulziikhishig (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University)
Kim, Byoung-Gwon (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University)
Son, Hyun-Jin (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University)
Cho, Seong-Sik (Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University)
Kim, Gwon-Min (Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University)
Lim, Hyoun-Ju (Heavy Metal Exposure Environmental Health Center, Dong-A University)
Kwon, Jung-Yeon (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University)
Kim, Ki-Hwan (GENCUBEPLUS Co., Ltd)
Hong, Young-Seoub (Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University)
Publication Information
Journal of Environmental Health Sciences / v.47, no.6, 2021 , pp. 530-539 More about this Journal
Abstract
Background: In South Korea, areas around abandoned metal mines are designated as regions with high arsenic (As) contamination. However, studies assessing urinary As exposure, As metabolism, and relevant genetic polymorphisms in residents of these metal mine areas are lacking. Objectives: To identify factors associated with As exposure and evaluate the effects of MTHFR, As3MT, and GSTO1 genetic polymorphisms on As metabolism in residents of abandoned metal mine areas by measuring urinary As species. Methods: Urinary As species (arsenite [As3+], arsenate [As5+], monomethyl arsonic acid, and dimethylarsinic acid) were isolated using high-performance liquid chromatography in combination with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). Four genetic polymorphisms (MTHFR A222V, MTHFR E429A, GSTO1 A140D, As3MT M287T) were analyzed in 144 residents of four areas around abandoned metal mines. Results: The study sample was comprised of 34.7% men and 65.3% women, with a mean age of 70.7±10.9 years. The urinary inorganic As concentration was higher among those consuming more than half locally produced rice (0.31 ㎍/L) than those consuming less than half such rice (0.18 ㎍/L). The urinary dimethylarsinic acid concentration was higher in the group that had consumed seafood in the past day (31.68 ㎍/L) than in those who had not (22.37 ㎍/L). Furthermore, individuals heterozygous in the MTHFR A222V and GSTO1 A140D polymorphism had higher urinary arsenic species concentrations than did individuals with a wild type or homozygous for the variant allele. Conclusions: Consumption of locally produced rice was associated with inorganic As exposure, whereas seafood consumption was associated with organic As exposure among residents of abandoned metal mine areas. There was no clear association between MTHFR A222V and GSTO1 A140D polymorphisms and As metabolism.
Keywords
Urinary arsenic speciation; genetic polymorphisms; MTHFR; As3MT; GST01; abandoned metal mine;
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