Major and minor arsenic compounds accounting for the total urinary excretion of arsenic following intake of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis): A controlled human study

M. Molin, T.A. Ydersbond, S.M. Ulven, M. Holck, L. Dahl, Jens Jørgen Sloth, D. Fliegel, W. Goessler, J. Alexander, H.M. Meltzer

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Abstract

Blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) accumulate and biotransform arsenic (As) to a larger variety of arsenicals than most seafood. Eight volunteers ingested a test meal consisting of 150g blue mussel (680μg As), followed by 72h with an identical, low As controlled diet and full urine sampling. We provide a complete speciation, with individual patterns, of urinary As excretion. Total As (tAs) urinary excretion was 328±47μg, whereof arsenobetaine (AB) and dimethylarsinate (DMA) accounted for 66% and 21%, respectively. Fifteen minor urinary arsenicals were quantified with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) coupled to reverse-phase, anion and cation-exchange high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Thio-arsenicals and non-thio minor arsenicals (including inorganic As (iAs) and methylarsonate (MA)) contributed 10% and 7% of the total sum of species excretion, respectively, but there were large individual differences in the excretion patterns. Apparently, formation of thio-arsenicals was negatively correlated to AB formation and excretion, possibly indicating a metabolic interrelationship. The results may be of toxicological relevance since DMA and MA have been classified as possibly carcinogenic, and six of the excreted As species were thio-arsenicals which recently have been recognized as toxic, while iAs toxicity is well known.
Original languageEnglish
JournalFood and Chemical Toxicology
Volume50
Issue number7
Pages (from-to)2462-2472
ISSN0278-6915
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Keywords

  • Arsenic
  • Blue mussels
  • Thio-arsenicals
  • Arsenic speciation
  • Dietary intervention
  • Human

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Major and minor arsenic compounds accounting for the total urinary excretion of arsenic following intake of blue mussels (Mytilus edulis): A controlled human study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this