Exposure to Arsenic in the Air and 15-F2t-Isoprostane in Urine in a Sub-population of Inhabitants of a Copper Smelter Region

Most studies on arsenic toxicity have been conducted among populations exposed to arsenic contained in drinking water. Relatively little research concerns effects of airborne arsenic. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is an association between urinary 15-F2t-isoprostane (u15-F2t-IsoP) levels in relation to renal function (urinary creatinine and N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase––uNAG) and urinary arsenic (uAs) in inhabitants from copper smelter impact zone. The secondary purpose of the analysis was to assess utility of a potential association between uAs and u15-F2t-IsoP as a biomarker of systemic oxidative stress. Urinary 15-F2t-IsoP, NAG, and creatinine were measured in 967 urine samples collected from 649 adult women (51.9 ± 13.2 years old) and 318 adult men (53.8 ± 14.9 years old). Total uAs concentration was measured in 918 samples using HPLC-ICP-MS. Arsenic species, such as inorganic arsenic, methylarsonic acid, dimethylarsinic acid, and arsenobetaine, were measured in urine collected from 255 participants with uAs exceeding the upper norm. Data were analyzed using multivariate linear regression and logistic regression models. In the studied population urinary creatinine was positively associated with uAs. A positive linear correlation (p < 0.0000) between lg(uAs) and u15-F2t-IsoP was found both for normal and elevated uAs. A positive linear correlation was observed also between lg(ΣuAs) and u15-F2t-IsoP (p < 0.0000). In the logistic regression model, after adjustment for confounders, elevated uAs was the only predictor of increased u15-F2t-IsoP (OR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.08–1.59, p < 0.01). Cigarette smoking was associated with renal proximal tubular dysfunction only in people with uNAG concentration above 75th quartile. In the studied population chronically exposed to airborne arsenic, increase in urinary arsenic is associated with renal dysfunction and systemic oxidative stress. Urinary 15-F2t-isoprostane may be useful in the monitoring of health status in populations exposed to airborne arsenic.