Arsenic exposure and blood pressure, homocysteine and haemoglobin concentrations-a study from northern Argentina

摘要

Exposure to inorganic arsenic is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Blood pressure was analyzed for 244 women from northern Argentina with varying exposure to inorganic As from drinking water. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of homocysteine, haemoglobin and for genetic analysis; spot urine samples for the measurement of As metabolites. In contrast to what was expected, we found significantly lower concentrations of homocysteine and lower blood pressure with increasing arsenic exposure. However, arsenic seemed to lower haemoglobin concentrations, indicating impairment of the heme synthesis. Data on other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as telomere length and markers of oxidative stress, are presented.