A study reveals how alcohol influences the bioavailability of arsenic, a very common environmental carcinogen
A team of researchers from the Nanjing Institute of Environmental Sciences (China) has conducted a study that shows the complex effect of alcohol consumption on the bioavailability of arsenic and its accumulation in tissues. The study notes that alcohol alters the intestinal microbiota and intestinal barriers, affecting the distribution of arsenic throughout the body and decreasing toxicity to vital organs.
Arsenic is an element present throughout the environment and is a leading human carcinogen, posing serious health risks through exposure to food, water and soil. Understanding the factors that condition how it is absorbed and stored in the body is essential to assessing the associated health hazards.
“Alcohol consumption is a common practice worldwide and is known for its many health effects, but its interaction with the way arsenic is absorbed and its resulting toxicity has been poorly studied until this recent work,” the researchers explain.
Alcohol increases the absorption of arsenic but also its elimination
In this groundbreaking study, published in ‘Eco-Environment & Health’, researchers examined how alcohol affects the body’s processing of arsenic, a widespread environmental poison. The mice were fed arsenate-enriched diets and daily amounts of Chinese liquor that simulated human alcohol intake. Surprisingly, although alcohol increased the absorption of arsenic in the gut, it reduced the accumulation in major organs.
This unexpected effect is due to the damage that alcohol causes to the intestinal barriers and changes in the intestinal microflora, which increase the entry of arsenic into the bloodstream. In addition, alcohol also increased renal filtration and decreased antidiuretic hormone levels, which caused more arsenic to be eliminated through urine. Ultimately, alcohol speeds up the removal of arsenic from the body and minimizes its harmful potential.
“This study reveals the complex interplay between common substances and their unpredictable health effects, offering a new perspective on arsenic toxicity and the influence of alcohol,” they add. Alcohol ingestion impaired the intestinal tight junction and caused more arsenic to be absorbed through intestinal paracellular pathways; alcohol ingestion decreased glomerular tight junctions and increased glomerular filtration of arsenic; and the diuretic function of alcohol consumption also helped reduce the accumulation of arsenic in the tissues.
Relevant information for groups exposed to arsenic and alcohol
“Given widespread exposure to both substances, it is vital to understand how they interact within the body to better anticipate and mitigate health risks,” says corresponding author Dr. Hongbo Li, who emphasizes the importance of understanding the role of alcohol on arsenic bioavailability.
The results indicate that although the consumption of alcohol could increase the amount of arsenic absorbed, it also facilitates its elimination from the body, being able to decrease the accumulation in the tissues and reduce some risks of toxicity.
This information is particularly relevant for groups exposed to both arsenic and alcohol, as it provides a detailed view of risk factors and their interactions.