Positive Association of Urinary Dimethylarsinic Acid (DMAV) with Serum 25(OH)D in Adults Living in an Area of Water-Borne Arsenicosis in Shanxi, China

TL;DR

This study found a positive link between urinary arsenic species and vitamin D levels in adults from a region with water-borne arsenicosis in China.

Contribution

The study is the first to investigate the correlation between urinary arsenic species and serum vitamin D in a water-borne arsenicosis area.

Findings

Urinary arsenic species were positively associated with serum 25(OH)D levels.

Higher urinary DMAV was linked to a 0.4% increased risk of vitamin D excess.

Serum vitamin D levels increased with higher arsenic levels in specific subgroups.

Abstract

Limited studies have demonstrated that inorganic arsenic exposure is positively associated with serum vitamin D levels, although the correlation between urinary arsenic species and serum vitamin D has not been investigated in areas of water-borne arsenicosis. A cross-sectional study of 762 participants was conducted in Wenshui Country, Shanxi Province, a water-borne arsenicosis area. The results showed a positive relationship between urinary arsenic species (inorganic arsenic (iAs), methylarsonic acid (MMAV), dimethylarsinic acid (DMAV) and serum 25(OH)D. Log-binomial regression analysis indicated a 0.4% increase in the risk of vitamin D excess for every 1-unit increment in the Box–Cox transformed urinary DMAV after adjustment for covariates. After stratifying populations by inorganic arsenic methylation metabolic capacity, serum 25(OH)D levels in the populations with iAs% above the median and primary methylation index (PMI) below the median increased by 0.064 ng/mL (95% CI: 0.032 to 0.096) for every one-unit increase in the Box–Cox transformed total arsenic (tAs) levels. Serum 25(OH)D levels increased by 0.592 ng/mL (95% CI: 0.041 to 1.143) for every one-unit rise in the Box–Cox transformed iAs levels in people with skin hyperkeratosis. Overall, our findings support a positive relationship between urinary arsenic species and serum 25(OH)D. It was recommended that those residing in regions with water-borne arsenicosis should take moderate vitamin D supplements to avoid vitamin D poisoning.