Sex-Specific Effects of Arsenic Exposure on the Trajectory and Function of the Gut Microbiome. - PubMed - NCBI

 "The gut microbiome is deeply involved in numerous aspects of human health; however, it can be readily perturbed by environmental toxicants, such as arsenic. Meanwhile, the interaction among host, gut microbiome, and xenobiotics is a very complex dynamic process. Previously, we have demonstrated that gut microbiome phenotypes driven by host genetics and bacterial infection affect the responses to arsenic exposure. The role of host sex in shaping the gut microbiome raises the question whether sex plays a role in exposure-induced microbiome responses. To examine this, we used 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomics sequencing to analyze the changes of the gut microbiome and its associated functional metagenome in both female and male C57/BL6 mice. Our results clearly demonstrated that arsenic exposure perturbed the trajectory and function of the gut microbiome in a sex-specific manner."

Arsenic metabolism linked to diabetes incidence

Chin-Chi Kuo, M.D., M.P.H., from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg
School of Public Health in Baltimore, and colleagues examined the
prospective association between low-moderate arsenic exposure and
arsenic metabolism with diabetes incidence. The investigators recruited
1,694 diabetes-free participants aged 45 to 75 years in 1989 to 1991 and
followed them through 1998 to 1999. The proportions of urine inorganic arsenic
(iAs), monomethylarsonate (MMA), and dimethylarsinate (DMA) over their
sum (expressed as iAs percent, MMA percent, and DMA percent) were used
as arsenic metabolism biomarkers.

Relationship between arsenic, heart disease and diabetes discovered

Associated with various types of cancer such as
skin and liver, the intake of arsenic it is also linked to
cardiovascular disease and diabetes. According to a long-term study
conducted by experts from the Center for Research and Advanced Studies
(CINVESTAV) it was determined that this metalloid inhibits enzymes
associated with antioxidant protection.


The study focused on analyzing children that had ingested arsenic
through maternal consumption of contaminated water, and it was
determined that oxidizing properties favor generation of fatty plaque in the arteries.


To corroborate the relationship between cardiovascular disease
with arsenic consumption, blood samples were also obtained from the
study group to identify the presence of an amino acid called asymmetric
dimethylarginine (ADMA), which is associated with problems in the
arteries.

Cancer risks double when two carcinogens present at 'safe' levels, epigenetics study finds

 "New research conducted by Texas Tech University scientists has found that low doses of arsenic and oestrogen together -- even at levels low enough to be considered "safe" for humans if they were on their own -- can cause cancer in prostate cells."

Futurity.org – Arsenic from coal ash pollutes water sources

Scientists have found arsenic and other toxic elements—in levels beyond EPA guidelines for safe drinking water—in lakes and rivers downstream from coal-fired power plants’ settling ponds.