Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026

In Vitro Scratch Assay to Demonstrate Effects of Arsenic on Skin Cell Migration
Published on: February 23, 2019
Does arsenic exposure increase the risk for diabetes mellitus?
Hui-Fen Chiu1, Chih-Ching Chang, Shang-Shyue Tsai
1Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Objective:
Long-term arsenic exposure has been reported to associated with prevalence, incidence, and mortality of diabetes mellitus (DM). A tap water supply system was implemented in the early 1960s in the blackfoot disease (BFD) endemic areas. The objective of this study is to examine whether DM mortality decreased after the improvement of drinking water supply system through elimination of arsenic exposure from artesian well water.
Methods:
Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for DM were calculated for the BFD endemic area for the years 1971-2000.
Results:
The study results show that mortality from DM declined in females (but not in males) gradually after the improvement of drinking water supply system.
Conclusions:
Based on the reversibility criterion, the association between arsenic exposure and DM is likely to be casual for females but not in males.
Related Concept Videos
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Psychoneuroimmunology: Diabetes and Cancer
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...
Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis

