title: Evaluation of aortic elasticity parameters in arsenic exposed workers.
abstract: One of the major complications of arsenic on human health is hypertension. Arsenic-related hypertension and negative effects of arsenic on arterial system such as oxidative stress and vasoconstriction/vasorelaxation imbalance may lead to impair aortic elasticity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of arsenic on aortic elasticity parameters including aortic strain and distensibility. One hundred twelve (112) workers were occupationally exposed to arsenic and 60 healthy control subjects were enroled. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography for detecting aortic strain and aortic distensibility. There were no differences in baseline demographic and echocardiographic characteristics between the groups. Aortic strain (10.3±3.9 vs 12.1±2.7%, P=0.001) and aortic distensibility (0.45±0.17 vs 0.54±0.15 cm2per dyn, P=0.001) were decreased in arsenic-exposure group compared with controls. Urinary arsenic level was found to be negatively and significantly correlated with aortic strain (r=-0.306, P=0.001) and aortic distensibility (r=-0.259, P=0.006). Duration of arsenic exposure was also found to be negatively and significantly correlated with aortic strain (r=-0.386, P<0.001) and aortic distensibility (r=-0.333, P<0.001). This study suggests that arsenic exposure is related to impairment of aortic elasticity parameters even in subjects without overt cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Cardiology, Ankara Occupational Diseases Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: U N
authors.initials: UN
authors.lastname: Karakulak
authors.affiliation: Departments of Clinical Toxicology, Ankara Occupational Diseases Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: O H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.affiliation: Departments of Clinical Toxicology, Ankara Occupational Diseases Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tutkun
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aladag
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Evranos
authors.affiliation: Departments of Biochemistry, Ankara Occupational Diseases Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bal
authors.affiliation: Departments of Clinical Toxicology, Ankara Occupational Diseases Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gunduzoz
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Kecioren Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ayturk
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Kecioren Research and Training Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Ozturk
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001011:Aorta / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000652:urine; D001151:Arsenic / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000652:urine; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000652:urine; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013997:Time Factors; D016482:Urinalysis; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001151:Arsenic