Effect of seaweed intake on urinary arsenic excretion

Objective To test arsenic species in urine after intaking seaweed,and investigate the characteristics of arsenic metabolism.Methods Arsenic species in urine were detected with hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy.Results There was a significant increase in the urinary concentration of iAs at twelve hours after intaking seaw eed,increase of DMA at twelve,twenty-four and thirty-six hours after intaking seaweed in male group.No significant increase of MMA and TMA was detected in the male group.There was a significant increase in the urinary concentration of iAs at nine,twelve and thirty-six hours after intaking seaweed,the increase of MMA at five,two and twenty-four hours after intaking seaweed,increase of DMA from three to seventy-two hour after intaking seaweed in female group.No significant increase of TMA was detected in the female group.Conclusion There was a difference between male and female in the metabolism of arsenic.Male is more susceptible than female.