Arsenic linked to heart disease risk

PITTSBURGH, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Mice exposed to arsenic at U.S. government-approved levels for drinking water had cellular dysfunction, which can lead to heart risk, U.S. researchers say.

Aaron Barchowsky of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health and his research team looked at specialized cells in the liver called sinusoidal endothelial cells, which remove waste from blood and enable nutrients to regulate metabolism.

After mice were exposed to 10 parts to 100 parts per billion, or ppb, of arsenic over a two-week period, the cells were less able to remove damaged proteins from the blood and lost their characteristic pores or "windows," severely compromising the cells' ability to effectively exchange nutrients and waste.

Barchowsky notes that despite their small size, mice are usually less sensitive than people to the effects of arsenic.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's standard for arsenic in public water systems is 10 ppb, reduced from 50 ppb in 2006 for drinking water sources that serve more than 20 people.

The findings are published online ahead of print of the Dec. 1 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.