Research progress in the relationship between arsenic exposure and glucose and lipid metabolism

Inorganic arsenic is an environmental carcinogen. Chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic has also been suggested being associated with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease, which is a prominent feature of glycolipid metabolism disorders. This article describes the current findings from epidemiological studies on arsenic exposure and diabetes and cardiovascular disease, as well as the possible mechanisms underlying the regulation of glycolipid metabolism after arsenic exposure. It is demonstrated that the effect of arsenic exposure on glycolipid metabolism is mediated through multiple mechanisms that are interrelated, rather than by a single mechanism, eventually leading to diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Key words: Arsenic poisoning; Diabetes mellitus; Cardiovascular disease; Glycolipid metabolism