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STUDIES ON BLACKFOOT DISEASE AND CHRONIC ARSENISM IN SOUTHERN TAIWAN
Author(s) -
Yu HsinSu,
Sheu HamnMing,
Ko SpringShiang,
Chiang LienChai,
Chien ChungHo,
Lin ShanMeei,
Tserng BiingRong,
Chen ChinShu
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
the journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.9
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1346-8138
pISSN - 0385-2407
DOI - 10.1111/j.1346-8138.1984.tb01489.x
Subject(s) - in vivo , histamine , vascular permeability , pathology , disease , medicine , immunology , biology , chemistry , physiology , genetics
An endemic peripheral vascular disorder called “blackfoot disease” has been noticed in a limited area on the southern coast of Taiwan. Clinically, the symptoms and signs of blackfoot disease (BFD) are similar to those of Buerger's disease. The main ultrastructural change in the dermal blood vessel is degeneration of the endothelial cells. Among the inhabitants of this endemic area, a remarkable percentage of chronic arsenism is also found. It is currently believed that drinking of artesian well water containing both a fluorescent substance (FC) and arsenic is the cause of these two diseases. The purpose of this study is to examine the vascular and mutagenic effects of FC and also to discuss the roles of FC and arsenic in BFD and chronic arsenism. It was found that FC has the following effects: (1) inhibition of histamine‐induced capillary permeability (2) degeneration in the capillary endothelial cells in vivo (3) mutagenesis, and (4) enhancement of the incorporation of 3 H‐thymidine in low fetal calf serum containing cultured fibroblasts. This is strong evidence that FC is the primary substance affecting the endothelial cells and has an important effect in BFD. Other effects of FC include mutagenicity and increased DNA synthesis. When these effects are combined with arsenic, chronic arsenism becomes prevalent.