engleski

Incidence of diabetes mellitus type 2 in the European population chronically exposed to arsenic

Background-aim: Higher concentrations of arsenic in drinking water has been already reported to be associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the association of arsenic levels in urine and blood with insulin resistance (HOMAIR), diabetes parameters (HbA1c, fasting glucose) and diabetes complications (albuminuria). For the first time, comparison of arsenic levels in diabetic vs. healthy populations from Eastern and Western Croatian regions was performed. Methods: A total of 113 participants from Zagreb, Western Croatia, and 80 participants from Slavonia, Eastern Croatia, aged between 25 and 60 years, were included in this study. All participants have signed informed consent. Blood parameters were determined in the clinical laboratories using different biochemical methods on AU680, Beckman Coulter, Brea, USA. Inductively coupled plasma- sectorfield-mass spectrometry (ICPsf-MS, Element II, Thermo Scientific Bremen, Germany) was used to determine total arsenic in blood and urine. In addition, arsenic species. i.e. monomethylarsonate, dimethylarsinate and arsenate, in urine were evaluated by ion exchange chromatography with ICP-sf- MS. Results: Statistical analysis has shown the existence of statistically significant differences for total urine As and As species between Eastern and Western region (pb0.0001). However, most arsenic in the urine of Western region patients was of organic origin, i.e. arsenobetain. Total As and As species in urine were positively correlated with HbA1c values and negatively correlated with albuminuria (pb0.05). For associating arsenic species with HOMAIR and HOMA %B parameters, we used regression analysis, but results were not statistically significant. However, the results for arsenate and dimethylarsinate showed trends with p-values, p=0.067 and p=0.052, respectively. Conclusions: In conclusion, inorganic arsenic, which originates from drinking water, was present mostly in the urine of patients from Eastern Croatian region. Obtained results indicate that inorganic arsenic contributes to the increased risk for diabetes, but not for development of diabetic nephropathy. This study is preliminary in character and further research on the consequences of arsenic exposure for the incidence of diabetes is needed.

arsenic exposure, diabetes mellitus

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