Abstract  Arsenic is recognized to be a nonmutagenic carcinogen because it induces DNA damage only at very high concentrations. However, many more DNA strand breaks could be detected by digesting the DNA of arsenite-treated cells with endonuclease III, formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase, and proteinase K. By doing so, arsenite could be shown to induce DNA damage in human cells within a pathologically meaningful concentration range. Oxidized guanine products were detected in all arsenite-treated human cells examined. DNA-protein cross-links were also detected in arsenite-treated NB4 and HL60 cells. In human umbilical vein endothelial cells, the induction of oxidized guanine products by arsenite was sensitive to inhibitors of nitric oxide (NO) synthase but not to oxidant modulators, whereas the opposite result was obtained in vascular smooth muscle cells. On the other hand, the arsenite-induced oxidized guanine products and DNA-protein cross-links in NB4 and HL60 cells were sensitive to modulators of calcium, NO synthase, oxidant, and myeloperoxidase. Therefore, although oxidized guanine products were detected in all the human cells treated with arsenite, the pathways could be different in different cell types. Because the sensitivity and the mechanism of arsenic intoxication are cell specific, it is important that target tissues and target cells are used for investigations. It is also important that pathologically or pharmacologically meaningful concentrations of arsenic are used. This is because in most cases we are dealing with the chronic effect rather than acute toxicity.

Abstract  Arsenic is a well known toxicant and carcinogen that is also effective as a chemotherapeutic in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Although its effects on humans are well documented, arsenic's mechanism of action is not well understood. Its ability to act as a carcinogen and as a chemotherapeutic seems paradoxical. However, cancer cell transformation and cancer cell destruction can both occur through perturbations of the cell cycle machinery, making cell cycle function a likely target of arsenic action. Arsenic has previously been shown to inhibit cancer cell cycle progression, but the targeted cell cycle phase has been debated. This study was designed to identify the cell cycle phase at which U937 cells are most sensitive to arsenite-induced growth inhibition. Centrifugal elutriation was used to divide asynchronous cell cultures into specific cell cycle phase-enriched fractions. These fractions were monitored for cell cycle phase progression in the presence and absence of sodium arsenite. We found an overall reduction in cell cycle progression rather than induction of arrest at one specific checkpoint. G(2)/M is the phase most sensitive to arsenite-induced apoptosis. However, arsenite profoundly affects U937 cell growth by increasing the length of time it takes cells to transit each phase of the cell cycle. Future study of cell cycle inhibition by arsenic should consider that the effect may not be mediated by the major cell cycle checkpoints. Arsenic's ability to inhibit growth in any cell cycle phase may increase its value as a chemotherapeutic used together with other, more phase-selective agents, such as camptothecin.

Abstract  Primary mixed cultures of Sertoli and germ cells were prepared from testes of immature rats and their response to the known testicular toxicants ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (EGM) and ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (EGE) was studied. Neither EGM nor EGE produced any morphological evidence of toxicity when added to the culture medium at up to 50 mImage for 72 hr. In contrast, their metabolites methoxyacetic acid (MAA) and ethoxyacetic acid (EAA) at 2 to 10 mImage for 24 to 72 hr caused degeneration of the pachytene and dividing spermatocytes, the target cells of the parent ethers in vivo. As in vivo, earlier spermatocytes, spermatogonia, and Sertoli cells appeared unaffected. EAA was less potent than MAA whereas n-propoxy- and n-butoxyacetic acid, and methoxyacetylglycine, a further metabolite of MAA, produced no morphological changes under these conditions. The same order of toxicity was observed in concurrent studies with the four acids in rats. In culture, the severity of the morphological changes was paralleled by decreases in the activity of carnitine acetyltransferase and lactate dehydrogenase-X in the attached germ cell fraction. Analysis of culture medium provided no evidence for the conversion of EGM to MAA or other metabolites or for the further metabolism of MAA. The close correspondence between the testicular toxicity of alkoxyacetic acids in culture and in vivo suggests a similar mode of action in both cases and points to the potential value of these cultures for mechanistic studies and for screening purposes. The results also emphasize the role of metabolism in the testicular toxicity of glycol ethers and indicate that MAA in an active metabolite of EGM.

Abstract  Chronic arsenic exposure increases risk for the development of diabetes, vascular disease, and cancers of the skin, lung, kidney, and bladder. This study investigates the effects of arsenite [As(III)] on human urothelial cells (UROtsa). As(III) toxicity was determined by exposing confluent UROtsa cells to As(III) (0.5-200 microM). Depleting cellular glutathione levels with buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) potentiated the toxicity of As(III). Cell viability was assessed with the (4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. UROtsa cell ability to biotransform As(III) was determined by dosing cells with environmentally relevant concentrations of As(III) followed by HPLC/ICP-MS analysis of cell media and lysate. Both pentavalent and trivalent monomethylated products were detected. Although cytotoxicity was observed at high doses of As(III) (approximately 100 microM) in UROtsa cells, perturbations of a variety of molecular processes occurred at much lower doses. Exposure to low-level As(III) (0.5-25 microM) causes an accumulation of ubiquitin (Ub)-conjugated proteins. This effect is enhanced when cellular glutathione levels have been reduced with BSO treatment. Because As(III) has many effects on UROtsa cells, a greater understanding of how As(III) is affecting cellular proteins in a target tissue will lead to a better understanding of the mechanism of toxicity and pathogenesis for low-level As(III).

Abstract  Biotransformation of inorganic arsenic to form both methylarsinic acid (MA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) has traditionally been considered as a mechanism to facilitate the detoxification and excretion of arsenic. However, the methylation of inorganic arsenic as a detoxification mechanism has been questioned due to recent studies revealing an important role of organic arsenic in the induction of genetic damage. In a previous report a reduction of DNA migration after treatment of cells with DMA was described. In order to further evaluate the possible induction of protein–DNA adducts, an experiment was performed taking into account other parameters and modifications of the standard alkaline comet assay. In addition, the results obtained with the comet assay were compared with those obtained by analyzing the induction of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs). SCE frequencies were significantly increased in treated cells in relation to controls (p < 0.001). Furthermore, in the standard alkaline comet assay, as well as in the control assay for proteinase K treatment, a significant dose-dependent reduction in tail moment was observed. Nevertheless, the post-treatment with proteinase K induced the release of proteins joined to the DNA and consequently, a dose-dependent increment in DNA migration was observed (p < 0.001). These results suggest that DNA–protein cross-links may be an important genotoxic effect induced by dimethylarsinic acid in human MRC-5 cells.

Abstract  We previously reported that dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA), a major metabolite of inorganic arsenics, induced DNA single-strand breaks (ssb) both in vivo and in cultured alveolar type II (L-132) cells in vitro, possibly via the production of dimethylarsenic peroxyl radicals. Here, the interaction of superoxide anion radicals (O2-) in the induction of ssb in L-132 cells was investigated using paraquat, an O2(-)-producing agent. A significant enhancement of ssb formation was observed in the DMAA-exposed cells when coexposed to paraquat. This enhancement occurred even when post-exposed to DMAA after washing, suggesting that the DMAA exposure caused some modification of DNA such as DNA-adducts, which was recognized by active oxygens to form ssb. An experiment with UV-irradiation, which was likely to induce ssb at the modified region, supported the possibility of DNA modification by DMAA exposure. An ESR study indicated that O2- produced by paraquat in DMAA-exposed cells was more consumed than in non-exposed cells, assumingly through the reaction with the dimethylarsenic-modified region of DNA. The species of active oxygens were estimated by using diethyldithiocarbamate, aminotriazole, diethylmaleate, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), gamma-irradiation and ethanol. O2- but neither H2O2 nor hydroxyl radicals was very likely to contribute to the ssb-enhancing action of paraquat.

Abstract  The cytotoxicity of arsenic compounds towards BALB/c 3T3 cells in culture was investigated, together with the role of glutathione (GSH) in the induction of the cytotoxic effects. The rank order of cytotoxicity was as follows: arsenite (As3+) > arsenate (As5+) > dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA) > methylarsonic acid (MAA) > trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO). Arsenobetaine, arsenocholine and the tetramethylarsonium ion were less toxic. Depletion of GSH enhanced the cytotoxic effects of As3+, As5+, MAA and TMAO, while the cytotoxicity of DMAA was markedly reduced by depletion of GSH. These results suggest that GSH plays a role in protecting the cells against the toxic effects of As3+, As5+, MAA and TMAO while it is involved in the induction of the cytotoxic effects of DMAA.

Abstract  The biotransformation of inorganic arsenic by rat liver in vitro leads to the production of a monomethylated and a dimethylated arsenic derivative, measured by flameless atomic absorption as monomethylarsonic (MMA) and dimethylarsinic (DMA) acids respectively. The methylating activity is localized in the cytosol and accepts only As3+ as substrate. Its optimum pH lies between 7.5 and 8.0, and reduced glutathione (10(-2)M) is required for full activity. S-Adenosylmethionine is the essential methyl group donor and corrinoïd derivatives act synergistically. An excess of substrate and the addition of mercuric ions prevent the formation of the dimethylated arsenic derivative without affecting that of the monomethylated compound. This indicates that two different enzymatic activities are involved in the methylation of inorganic arsenic in mammals. Previous observations in man (Buchet et al. 1981 b, 1984) and the results of the present study suggest that DMA production results from the subsequent methylation of the MMA precursor, although the possibility that metabolites are also produced by two completely independent pathways cannot yet be conclusively rejected. The kinetics of MMA and DMA production provide an explanation for the observations that in volunteers given increasing amounts of As3+, the urinary excretion of DMA levels off faster than that of MMA and in patients acutely intoxicated with As3+, several days may elapse before DMA becomes the preponderant metabolite. The results of the present study also suggest that the reduction of MMA production associated with an increased synthesis of DMA found in patients with liver diseases given a standard dose of As3+ might be due to a reduction of As3+ uptake by the liver cells.

Abstract  The present study was designed to establish the form of the dose-response relationship for dietary sodium arsenite as a co-carcinogen with ultraviolet radiation (UVR) in a mouse skin model. Hairless mice (strain Skh1) were fed sodium arsenite continuously in drinking water starting at 21 days of age at concentrations of 0.0, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10 mg/L. At 42 days of age, solar spectrum UVR exposures were applied three times weekly to the dorsal skin at 1.0 kJ/m2 per exposure until the experiment ended at 182 days. Untreated mice and mice fed only arsenite developed no tumors. In the remaining groups a total of 322 locally invasive squamous carcinomas occurred. The carcinoma yield in mice exposed only to UVR was 2.4 ± 0.5 cancers/mouse at 182 days. Dietary arsenite markedly enhanced the UVR-induced cancer yield in a pattern consistent with linearity up to a peak of 11.1 ± 1.0 cancers/mouse at 5.0 mg/L arsenite, representing a peak enhancement ratio of 4.63 ± 1.05. A decline occurred to 6.8 ± 0.8 cancers/mouse at 10.0 mg/L arsenite. New cancer rates exhibited a consistent-with-linear dependence on time beginning after initial cancer-free intervals ranging between 88 and 95 days. Epidermal hyperplasia was elevated by arsenite alone and UVR alone and was greater than additive for the combined exposures as were growth rates of the cancers. These results demonstrate the usefulness of a new animal model for studying the carcinogenic action of dietary arsenite on skin exposed to UVR and should contribute to understanding how to make use of animal data for assessment of human cancer risks in tissues exposed to mixtures of carcinogens and cancer-enhancing agents.

Abstract  We demonstrate in this study the cytotoxic effects of inorganic arsenicals, arsenite and arsenate, and organic arsenic compounds, monomethylarsonic acid (MAA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA), and trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO), which are metabolites of inorganic arsenicals in human bodies, using murine macrophages in vitro. Inorganic arsenicals, both arsenite and arsenate, are strongly toxic to macrophages, and the concentration that decreased the number of surviving cells to 50% of that in untreated controls (IC50) was 5 or 500 microM, respectively. These inorganic arsenicals mainly caused necrotic cell death with partially apoptotic cell death; about 80% of dead cells were necrotic, and 20% were apoptotic. The inorganic arsenicals also induced marked release of an inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), at cytotoxic doses. This strong cytotoxicity of an inorganic arsenical, arsenite, might be mediated via active oxygen and protease activation because it was inhibited by the addition of some antioxidant reagents, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and GSH, or by a peptide inhibitor of interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE). It is likely that these immunotoxic effects of inorganic arsenicals may evoke both immunosuppression and inflammation, and they may be central factors causing carcinogenesis and severe inflammatory responses, such as hepatomegaly and splenomegaly, in chronic arsenicosis patients who daily ingested arsenic-contaminated well water. In contrast, the cytotoxic effects of methylated arsenic compounds were lower than those of inorganic arsenicals. The IC50 value of DMAA was about 5 mM, and MAA and TMAO had no toxicity even at concentrations over 10 mM. Additionally, these methylated chemicals suppressed the TNFalpha release from macrophages. DMAA induced mainly apoptotic cell death in macrophages as indicated by cellular morphological changes, condensed nuclei, terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL), and DNA fragmentation. However, the cytotoxicity of DMAA might be induced via a different mechanism from that of inorganic arsenicals because it was not abolished by the additions of SOD, catalase, or ICE inhibitor. Conversely, GSH enhanced the toxicity of DMAA. These data suggest that methylation of inorganic arsenicals in mammals plays an important role in suppression of both severe immunosuppression and inflammatory responses caused by inorganic arsenicals.

Abstract  Arsenic is a pathologic factor of cardiovascular diseases and cancers; nevertheless, it also acts as an anticancer agent effective on acute promyelocytic leukemia and multiple myeloma. Securin, a proposed proto-oncogene, regulates cell proliferation and tumorigenesis. However, roles of securin on the arsenic-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis remain unknown. In this study, the effects of sodium arsenite on the expression of securin in two tissue types of cell lines, the vascular endothelial and colorectal epithelial cells, were investigated. Arsenite (8-16 microM, 24 h) increased the cytotoxicity, apoptosis, and growth inhibition in both endothelial and epithelial cells. The levels of phospho-CDC2 (threonine-161), CDC2, and cyclin B1 proteins were decreased, and the G2/M fractions were increased by arsenite. Concomitantly, arsenite markedly diminished the securin protein expression and induced the abnormal sister chromatid separation. The depletion of securin proteins increased the induction of mitotic arrest, aberrant chromosome segregation, and apoptosis after arsenite treatment. p53, a tumor suppressor protein, balances the cell survival and apoptosis. Arsenite raised the levels of phospho-p53 (serine-15) and p53 (DO-1) proteins in both the securin-wild-type and -null cells. The p53-functional cells were more susceptible than the p53-mutational cells to arsenite on the cytotoxicity and apoptosis. Besides, arsenite decreased the levels of securin proteins to a similar degree in both the p53-functional and -mutational cells. Together, it is the first time to demonstrate that the inhibition of securin expression induced by arsenite increases the chromosomal instability and apoptosis via a p53-independent pathway.

Abstract  Inorganic arsenite has caused severe inflammatory chronic poisoning in humans through the consumption of contaminated well water. In this study, we examined the effects of arsenite at nanomolar concentrations on the in vitro differentiation of human macrophages from peripheral blood monocytes. While arsenite was found to induce cell death in a culture system containing macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), macrophages induced by granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF) survived the treatment, but were morphologically, phenotypically, and functionally altered. In particular, arsenite-induced cells expressed higher levels of a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigen, HLA-DR, and CD14. They were more effective at inducing allogeneic or autologous T cell responses and responded more strongly to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) by inflammatory cytokine release as compared to cells induced by GM-CSF alone. On the other hand, arsenite-induced cells expressed lower levels of CD11b and CD54 and phagocytosed latex beads or zymosan particles less efficiently. We also demonstrated that the optimum amount of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by nM arsenite might play an important role in this abnormal monocyte differentiation. This work may have implications in chronic arsenic poisoning because the total peripheral blood arsenic concentrations of these patients are at nM levels.

Abstract  Dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), a major metabolite of inorganic arsenics, and arsenic exposure is associated with tumor development in a wide variety of human tissues. In the present study, we examined whether DMA has tumor-promoting activity on rat lung carcinogenesis initiated with N-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)nitrosamine (DHPN). Male, 8-week-old, F344 rats were treated with DHPN at a concentration of 0.1% in drinking water for 1 week, and starting 1 week thereafter, DMA was administered at concentrations of 0, 100, 200 or 400 ppm in the drinking water for 30 weeks. Induction of epithelial lesions, classified as alveolar epithelial hyperplasia, adenoma, and adenocarcinoma was evident in the lungs of DHPN-initiated animals, but no significant differences were found between DMA-treated groups and control groups. Furthermore, no significant differences in 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine labeling indices, as a marker of cell proliferation were observed among the groups. An additional group treated with DMA at concentrations of 200 ppm alone, without prior DHPN initiation was found to develop no epithelial lesions in the lung. There was no significant gain in 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine formation, as a marker of oxidative stress, in the lungs of rats treated with DMA in their drinking water. In conclusion, oral-administered DMA does not exert promoting effects on rat lung carcinogenesis initiated with DHPN.

Abstract  Arsenic is a human carcinogen. Our recent work showed that chronic (>18 wk), low-level (125-500 nM) arsenite exposure induces malignant transformation in normal rat liver cell line TRL1215. In these arsenic-transformed cells, thecellular S-adenosylmethionine pool was depleted from arsenic metabolism, resulting in global DNA hypomethylation. DNA methylation status in turn may affect the expression of a variety of genes. This study examined the aberrant gene expression associated with arsenic-induced transformation with the use of Atlas Rat cDNA Expression microarrays. Poly(A(+)) RNA was prepared from arsenic-transformed cells and passage-matched control cells, and (32)P-labeled cDNA probes were synthesized with Clontech Rat cDNA Synthesis primers and moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptase. The hybrid intensity was analyzed with AtlasImage software and normalized with the sum of the four housekeeping genes. Four hybridizations from separate cell preparations were performed, and mean and SEM for the expression of each gene were calculated for statistical analysis. Among the 588 genes, approximately 80 genes ( approximately 13%) were aberrantly expressed. These included genes involved in cell-cycle regulation, signal transduction, stress response, apoptosis, cytokine production and growth-factor and hormone-receptor production and various oncogenes. These initial gene expression analyses for the first time showed potentially important aberrant gene expression patterns associated with arsenic-induced malignant transformation and set the stage for numerous further studies. Mol. Carcinog. 30:79-87, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Abstract  The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of DL: -alpha-lipoic acid (LA) on arsenic (As) induced alteration of glutathione (GSH) level and of the activity of glutathione-related enzymes-glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR), and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH)-in rat brain regions (cortex, hypothalamus, striatum, cerebellum and hippocampus). Male Wistar rats of 150+/-10 g weight were divided into four groups: control and three experimental groups supplemented with arsenic (sodium arsenite) alone (100 ppm mixed in drinking water), lipoic acid alone (70 mg kg(-1) body weight), arsenic plus lipoic acid (100 ppm arsenic in drinking water plus 70 mg lipoic acid kg(-1) body weight). The arsenic content of brain regions was found to increase with the administration of sodium arsenite. Arsenic exposure elicited a significant decline in glutathione content and in the activity of related enzymes, with the greatest decreases seen in the cortex, striatum, and hippocampus, whereas there were no significant differences between control rats and the group treated with lipoic acid alone. Highly elevated content of the thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance malondialdehyde (MDA) in the brain regions of arsenic-exposed rats reflected extensive lipid peroxidation (LPO) processes. Simultaneous lipoic acid treatment was effective in reducing brain regional arsenic levels and lipid peroxidation and in increasing the glutathione content and the activity of its related enzymes. Lipoic acid, by acting as an alternative sulfhydryl nucleophile to glutathione, prevents its oxidation to glutathione disulfide in detoxifying reactions against reactive oxygen species and consequently increases the activity of glutathione-related enzymes.

Abstract  Arsenic is a well-documented human carcinogen and is known to cause oxidative stress in cultured cells and animals. A hospital-based case-control study was conducted to evaluate the relationship among the levels of urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), the arsenic profile, and urothelial carcinoma (UC). Urinary 8-OHdG was measured by using high-sensitivity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. The urinary species of inorganic arsenic and their metabolites were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and hydride generator-atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). This study showed that the mean urinary concentration of total arsenics was significantly higher, at 37.67±2.98 μg/g creatinine, for UC patients than for healthy controls of 21.10±0.79 μg/g creatinine (p<0.01). Urinary 8-OHdG levels correlated with urinary total arsenic concentrations (r=0.19, p<0.01). There were significantly higher 8-OHdG levels, of 7.48±0.97 ng/mg creatinine in UC patients, compared to healthy controls of 5.95±0.21 ng/mg creatinine. Furthermore, female UC patients had higher 8-OHdG levels of 9.22±0.75 than those of males at 5.76±0.25 ng/mg creatinine (p<0.01). Multiple linear regression analyses revealed that high urinary 8-OHdG levels were associated with increased total arsenic concentrations, inorganic arsenite, monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsenate (DMA) as well as the primary methylation index (PMI) even after adjusting for age, gender, and UC status. The results suggest that oxidative DNA damage was associated with arsenic exposure, even at low urinary level of arsenic.

Abstract  The expression of beclin-1 in normal human bladder and in Cd(2+) and As(3+) exposed and transformed urothelial cells (UROtsa) was examined in this study. It was shown using a combination of real-time PCR, Western analysis and immunohistochemistry that beclin-1 was expressed in the urothelial cells of the normal bladder. It was also demonstrated that the parental UROtsa cell line expressed beclin-1 mRNA and protein at levels similar to that of the in situ urothelium. The level of beclin-1 expression underwent only modest alterations when the UROtsa cells were malignantly transformed by Cd(2+) or As(3+) or when the parental cells were exposed acutely to Cd(2+) or As(3+). While there were instances of significant alterations at individual time points and within cell line-to-cell line comparisons there was no evidence of a dose-response relationship or correlations to the phenotypic properties of the cell lines. Similar results were obtained for the expression of the Atg-5, Atg-7, Atg-12 and LC3B autophagy-related proteins. The findings provide initial evidence for beclin-1 expression in normal bladder and that large alterations in the expression of beclin-1 and associated proteins do not occur when human urothelial cells are malignantly transformed with, or exposed to, either Cd(2+) or As(3+.).

Abstract  Quite a few new thioarsenicals have recently been found in urine of arsenic-exposed humans and animals, and some of them have been shown to be highly toxic to cells. However, little is known about their toxic effects and metabolism in the body. In order to elucidate the toxic mechanism of thioarsenicals, we further focused on the distribution and metabolism of monomethylmonothioarsonic acid (MMMTA(V)) in rats. MMMTA(V) was synthesized chemically and injected intravenously into rats at the dose of 0.5mg As/kg, followed by speciation analysis of selected organs and body fluids at 10 min and 12h after the injection. MMMTA(V) was excreted into urine in its intact form, and approximately 35% of the dose was recovered in urine at 12h after the injection, suggesting that MMMTA(V) was taken up more effectively by organs/tissues than non-thiolated, monomethylarsonous acid (MMA(V)) previously studied. On the other hand, the liver and kidneys contained arsenic that was in a protein-binding form with free forms of DMA(V) or DMDTA(V) at 10 min, and disappeared at 12h after the injection. Moreover, these bound arsenic species in kidneys were converted back to MMA(V) after oxidation with H(2)O(2), suggesting that the arsenic bound to proteins had been reduced within the body and was in a trivalent oxidation state. In red blood cells (RBCs), most of the arsenic was in the form of DMA(III) bound to hemoglobin (Hb), and approximately 40% of the dose was recovered in RBCs at 12h after injection. These results indicate that arsenic accumulated preferentially in RBCs after being transformed to DMA(III). In addition, we have also discussed the effect of MMMTA(V) on viability of human bladder cancer T24 cells in comparison with MMA(V). Consequently, MMMTA(V) was assumed to be a more toxic arsenic metabolite than non-thiolated MMA(V).

Abstract  BACKGROUND: Inorganic arsenic is an environmental carcinogen that may act through multiple mechanisms including formation of methylated derivatives in vivo. Sodium arsenite (up to 5.0 microM) renders arsenic methylation-competent TRL1215 rat liver epithelial cells tumorigenic in nude mice at 18 weeks of exposure and arsenic methylation-deficient RWPE-1 human prostate epithelial cells tumorigenic at 30 weeks of exposure. We assessed the role of arsenic biomethylation in oxidative DNA damage (ODD) using a recently developed immuno-spin trapping method. METHODS: Immuno-spin trapping was used to measure ODD after chronic exposure of cultured TRL1215 vs RWPE-1 cells, or of methylation-competent UROtsa/F35 vs methylation-deficient UROtsa human urothelial cells, to sodium arsenite. Secreted matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 activity, as analyzed by zymography, cellular invasiveness by using a transwell assay, and colony formation by using soft agar assay were compared in cells exposed to arsenite with and without selenite, an arsenic biomethylation inhibitor, to assess the role of ODD in the transition to an in vitro cancer phenotype. RESULTS: Exposure of methylation-competent TRL1215 cells to up to 1.0 microM sodium arsenite was followed by a substantial increase in ODD at 5-18 weeks (eg, at 16 weeks with 1.0 microM arsenite, 1138% of control, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 797% to 1481%), whereas exposure of methylation-deficient RWPE-1 cells to up to 5.0 microM arsenite did not increase ODD for a 30-week period. Inhibition of arsenic biomethylation with sodium selenite abolished arsenic-induced ODD and invasiveness, colony formation, and MMP-2 and -9 hypersecretion in TRL1215 cells. Arsenic induced ODD in methylation-competent UROtsa/F35 cells (eg, at 16 weeks, with 1.0 microM arsenite 225% of control, 95% CI = 188% to 262%) but not in arsenic methylation-deficient UROtsa cells, and ODD levels corresponded to the levels of increased invasiveness, colony formation, and hypersecretion of active MMP-2 and -9 seen after transformation to an in vitro cancer phenotype. CONCLUSION: Arsenic biomethylation appears to be obligatory for arsenic-induced ODD and appears linked in some cells with the accelerated transition to an in vitro cancer phenotype.

Abstract  Arsenic, a curative agent for acute promyelocytic leukemia, induces cell apoptosis and degradation of BCR-ABL in chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). We demonstrated that ubiquitination and degradation of BCR-ABL was mediated by c-CBL, a RING-type E3 ligase that was also shown to be involved in ubiquitination for many other receptor/protein tyrosine kinases. Our data showed that c-CBL protein was considerably up-regulated by arsenic sulfide (As4S4). Interestingly, arsenic directly bound the RING finger domain of c-CBL to inhibit its self-ubiquitination/degradation without interfering with the enhancement of ubiquitination and subsequent proteolysis of its substrate BCR-ABL. Degradation of BCR-ABL due to c-CBL induction as a result of arsenic treatment was also observed in vivo in CML mice. These findings provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of arsenic and further support its therapeutic applications in CML in combination with tyrosine kinase inhibitors and potentially also in other malignancies involving aberrant receptor/protein tyrosine kinase signaling.

Abstract  In the present study, the viability, intracellular pH (pH(i)), cAMP ([cAMP](i)), calcium concentration and protein phosphotyrosine content were evaluated in relation to the acrosomal and capacitation status of freshly ejaculated bull spermatozoa. These parameters were evaluated before and after incubation with the capacitation inducer heparin, the phosphodiesterase inhibitor 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), the phosphotyrosyl-protein phosphatase inhibitors phenylarsine oxide (PAO) and sodium orthovanadate, and hydrogen peroxide. The results obtained were integrated to address the physiological interactions between the different signalling events affecting sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction. As expected, heparin promoted the expression of the 'B' pattern of chlortetracycline binding, increased pH(i), [cAMP](i) and the phosphotyrosine content of sperm proteins. The effects of heparin were enhanced by IBMX. Both PAO and sodium orthovanadate stimulated protein phosphotyrosine content and acrosomal exocytosis, although only PAO affected pH, Ca2+ and cAMP levels. Intracellular pH was increased while both Ca2+ and [cAMP](i) were decreased. Physiological concentrations of H2O2 increased [cAMP](i) and promoted acrosomal exocytosis. A significant positive correlation was found between sperm capacitation, protein phosphotyrosine content and stored Ca2+ concentration, whereas the acrosome reaction was correlated with pH(i) and Ca2+ concentration. This study presents the first global analysis of the major elements individually described during sperm capacitation and acrosome reaction signalling pathways, supported by statistical correlations.

Abstract  This working paper summarizes the known ultrastructural and biochemical effects of lead, mercury, cadmium, and arsenic on subcellular organelle systems following in vivo administration. Documented metal-induced alterations in nuclear, mitochondrial, microsomal, and lysosomal functions are discussed in relation to their potential impact on cellular responses to other environmental agents. Each of the above elements has been found to interfere with normal cellular replication and genetic processes. Mitochondrial swelling and depression of respiratory function are discussed in relation to known metal-specific perturbations of mitochondrial heme biosynthetic pathway enzymes. Inhibition of microsomal enzyme activities and protein synthesis by lead and mercury is compared to the apparent absence of such effects following arsenic or cadmium exposure. Lysosomal uptake of all the metals is documented, but biochemical alterations in these structures have been reported for only mercury and cadmium. It is concluded that these toxic metals are capable of interacting with, and biochemically altering major cellular systems at dose levels below those required to produce signs of overt metal toxicity. The impact of these effects on cellular response to other metals and xenobiotics in complex exposure situations is presently unknown, and further research is urgently needed in this area.

Abstract  The effects of metal salts on Rauscher leukemia virus (RLV) were investigated in CD-1-mice. Mice were given intraperitoneal (ip) injections of 300 plaque forming units of virus at 6 weeks of age. Between the ages of 4 and 14 weeks, animals received drinking water containing salts of arsenic (7440382), cadmium (7440439), cobalt (7440484), mercury (7439976), nickel (7440020), lead (7439921), copper (7440508), and iron (7439896). At weeks 3 and 6 of treatment, mice were killed and spleens removed. Suspensions were prepared, and virus titrations were performed. Treatment of mice with cobalt-sulfate (10124433) and lead-acetate (301042) induced RLV splenomegalies. High titers of virus were found in larger spleens. Average spleen weight 6 weeks after lead treatment in RLV infected mice was 7 times greater than in those with virus alone. Spleens of RLV infected mice treated with mercuric-chloride (7487947) were larger than those of mice with virus alone. Spleen weights in RLV infected mice treated with cadmium, cobalt, iron, lead, and sodium-arsenite (7784465) were larger at 6 weeks than at 3 weeks and were larger than those in mice with virus alone. Spleens of lead treated RLV infected mice had high titers of virus; spleens treated with cobalt and mercury had high titers, but not as high as with lead. Spleens of mice treated with metals alone were not different from nonmetal treated, nonvirus injected controls. Nonmetal treated, virus injected mice did not have detectable virus in spleens. The author concludes that specific reasons for the interactions between metal and RLV treatment are not known.

Abstract  Epidemiological data relating arsenic ingestion and skin and internal cancers strongly suggest a sublinear or threshold relationship. Physiological saturation of methylation-based arsenic detoxification has been proposed as one explanation for a sublinear response. We have evaluated the molecular bases for sublinearity in light of new data and hypotheses regarding arsenic genotoxicity and chemical carcinogenesis. A review of the dose–response relationships observed in arsenic genotoxicity assays is presented. With the exception of sister chromatid exchanges, sublinear dose–response relationships for arsenic-induced chromosomal aberrations were observed repeatedly in different mammalian and human cell systems. Arsenic also enhanced the clastogenicity and mutagenicity of other DNA damaging agents with a sublinear dose response. Consistent with the dose response of arsenic-induced genetic alterations, arsenic also inhibited DNA ligases I and II, enzymes which play a role in DNA repair, with a sublinear dose response. In some cases, protective effects of relatively low exposures to arsenic have been observed, again consistent with sublinearity. We discuss recent theories on the mechanism of arsenic carcinogenicity and the potential implications for dose–response modeling and risk assessment. Overall, based on available arsenic genotoxicity data, we conclude that it is likely that arsenic indirectly induces genetic damage with a sublinear dose response in humans, thus providing a biological basis for a sublinear dose–response relationship for human cancer. Furthermore, these results suggest that linear dose–response modeling from populations experiencing high arsenic exposures is likely to overpredict cancer risks at relatively low arsenic levels.

Abstract  The toxicity of Hg2+ [HgCl2], Cr6+(1) [(NH4)2CrO4], Cr6+(2) [CrO3], Cd2+ [CdCl2.2,5H2O], Pb2+ [Pb(CH3COO)2.3H2O], and As5+ [Na2HAsO4.7H2O] on the sensitivity and survival of Daphnia magna and Tubifex tubifex has been studied. All test metals were dissolved and determined under standardized conditions (dilution water, Bringmann and Kuhn, 1982) and 96 hr LC50 for T. tubifex and 48 hr LC50 for D. magna were compared in rank orders toxicity. For D. magna rank order toxicity was Hg2+ > Cr6+(2) > Cd2+ = Cr6+(1) > Pb2+ > As5+ and for T. tubifex it was Hg2+ > Cd2+ > Cr6+(2) > Cr6(1) > Pb2+ > As5+. D. magna was a more sensitive organism than T. tubifex and its LC50 values for all metals were several times lower than LC50 values for T. tubifex. Correlation between toxicity of various metals and biological subjects may be useful in predicting toxicity to various biologically important organisms connected with food chains.