Chronic study of arsenic trioxide-induced hepatotoxicity in relation to arsenic liver accumulation in rats

Abstract

This study measured activities of serum enzymes alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), markers of liver function in albino rats after continuous ingestion of arsenic trioxide (As 2 0 3 ). For the study, treated animals were given AS 2 O 3 (0.2 mg/100 g/day) orally for 180 days. After the completion of treatment, the blood was collected for the estimation of serum biochemical markers. The results obtained were compared with control group. Data showed a significant increase in SGOT and SGPT activity after 60 days of As 2 0 3 administration. The level of alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase increased significantly after 90 and 120 days, respectively. Since the elevation of these serum enzymes is an indicator of hepatic damage, data indicate that As 2 O 3 produces hepatotoxicity. When taken continuously, arsenic was also deposited in liver and blood and affected the enzymatic pathways. Total accumulated arsenic was determined by HG-AAS at 193.7 nm. IntroductionArsenic (As) is ubiquitous in the environment, and humans are thus exposed to inorganic and organic As through medicinal, criminal, environmental, and occupational sources (Orloff, Mistry, and Metcalf 2009). More than 80% of As compounds are used to manufacture products with agricultural applications, such as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, algaecides, sheep dips, wood preservatives, dyestuffs, and medicines for the eradication of tapeworms in sheep and cattle. However, for the general population, the main exposure to inorganic As is through ingestion of high metal-contaminated drinking water. Arsenic has been found in ground water in West Bengal and Bangladesh, and individuals using such water are suffering with arsenicosis (Mazumder et al. 1998;Rahman et al. 2002). The safety level of As in drinking water set by the WHO is 0.05 mg/L. Arsenic trioxide (As 2 O 3 ) is the most commonly used poison among As compounds, and known as sankhya or sankhia in Hindi and Sanskrit language. Arsenic trioxide is usually used as homicidal and suicidal poisoning. Moreover, its use as a chronic poison is common, because chronic As 2 O 3 poisoning resembles symptoms of death found in some wasting disease.

Restorative effects of gallic acid against sub-chronic hepatic toxicity of co-exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles and arsenic trioxide in male rats

“…Comparably, Sharma et al [ 80 ] reported that sub-acute oral exposure to ZNPs resulted in a significant accumulation of NPs in the liver of mice. Additionally, Dubey et al [ 84 ] verified the strong correlation between As accumulation in the hepatic tissues in ATO-intoxicated rats and the resultant hepatic damage. NPs are well-known for their huge surface area, allowing heavy metals to adsorb [ 85 ].…”

Gut Microbiome and Health Assessment Due To Arsenic Toxicity: A Review

“…Arsenic is also deposited in the liver and blood and affects enzymatic pathways. 25 Toxicity of arsenic plays a significant role in generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA repair inhibition, abnormal gene expression via epigenetic modifications, altered glucocorticoid and hypothalamuspituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis pathway signalling and adult neurogenesis. 9 Recent studies suggested that impaired neurological functions are mainly caused in children on exposure to low arsenic concentration.…”