Objective To assess the relationship of arsenic methylation metabolism with liver and skin damage and expressions of long noncoding RNAs in arsenic smeltery workers.
Methods Workers exposed to arsenic (n=112) from two arsenic smelteries in Wenshan of Yunnan Province and control in dividuals without arsenic exposure (n=41) were selected in October 2013. After medical examinations, the arsenic exposed participants were divided into four groups (without damage, with liver damage, with skin damage, with both liver and skin damage). Inorganic arsenic (iAs), methylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) in urine were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer with an arsenic speciation pretreatment system. Primary methylation index (PMI) and secondary methylation index (SMI) were calculated. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was performed to detect the expressions of three lo ng non-coding RNAs (MEG3, TUG1, and HOTAIR) in peripheral blood closely related to malignant tumor.
Results The mean age of the arsenic exposed workers was (33.9±16.8) years, and the mean length of service was (16.6±9.7) months. There were 42 workers without damage, 29 with liver damage, 21 with skin damage, and 20 with both liver and skin damage. Compared to the control group, the concentrations of three arsenic species were all higher (Ps < 0.05), and PMI & SMI were lower (Ps < 0.05) in the workers exposed to arsenic. Compared to the workers with both liver and skin damage, PMI in the workers with liver damage as well as PMI and SMI in the workers with skin damage were lower (Ps < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the expressions of MEG3 and HOTAIR in peripheral blood were higher in the workers without damage, with skin damage, and with both liver and skin damage, and the expressions of TUG1 were higher in the workers without damage and with both liver and skin damage (Ps < 0.05). Compared to the workers with both liver and skin damage, the expressions of MEG3 were lower in the workers without damage and with liver damage, and the expressions of TUG1 and HOTAIR were lower in the workers with liver damage (P < 0.05).
Conclusion There is a correlation of arsenic methylation metabolism with liver and skin damage and expressions of long noncoding RNAs in arsenic exposed workers.
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