Plasma-transforming growth factor-alpha expression in residents of an arseniasis area in Taiwan
Journal
Biomarkers
Journal Volume
11
Journal Issue
6
Pages
538-546
Date Issued
2006
Author(s)
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between long-term exposure to inorganic arsenic and the related adverse effects such as cancers, skin lesions, and vascular diseases. Although several hypotheses have been proposed for the mechanism of arsenic-induced pathogenesis, it remains imperfectly understood. Recent studies have suggested that alterations in growth signal transduction pathways, particularly involving transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), may be important. Immunoassays were used to determine the plasma levels of TGF-alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which is the receptor for TGF-alpha, in residents of an arseniasis area of Taiwan in relation to their estimated cumulative arsenic exposure from drinking water. No relationship between arsenic exposure and EGFR was found. However, among the high cumulative exposure group (>6 ppm-years), levels of plasma TGF-alpha (25.5±38.2 pg ml-1) and the proportion of individuals with TGF-alpha over-expression (29.4%) were significantly higher (p<0.05) than normal, healthy unexposed controls (8.1±5.6 pg ml-1, 8.6%, respectively). There was a significant linear trend between cumulative arsenic exposure and the prevalence of plasma TGF-alpha over-expression after adjusting for age and sex (p=0.019). The results suggest that plasma TGF-alpha expression may be a useful biomarker when detecting adverse effects on arsenic exposed population.
SDGs
Other Subjects
arsenic; biological marker; drinking water; transforming growth factor alpha; adult; age distribution; aged; arsenic poisoning; article; controlled study; diagnostic value; endemic disease; environmental exposure; enzyme linked immunosorbent assay; female; gene overexpression; human; major clinical study; male; pathophysiology; protein analysis; protein blood level; protein expression; risk assessment; risk factor; sex difference; signal transduction; statistical significance; Taiwan; trend study; water contamination; Aged; Arsenic; Biological Markers; Environmental Exposure; Female; Humans; Immunoassay; Male; Middle Aged; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor; Taiwan; Transforming Growth Factor alpha; Water Pollutants, Chemical
Type
journal article