Arsenic toxicity in mice and its possible amelioration

J Environ Sci (China). 2004;16(3):447-53.

Abstract

Oral administration of arsenic trioxide (3 and 6 mg/kg body weight/d) for 30 d caused, as compared with vehicle control, dose-dependent significant reductions in body weight, absolute weight, protein, glycogen, as well as, total, dehydro and reduced ascorbic acid contents both in the liver and kidney of arsenic-treated mice. Succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) and phosphorylase only in the liver activities were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Acid phosphatase activity was significantly decreased in the liver of low dose arsenic-treated animals; however, significant rise in its activity was observed in high dose group. As compared with vehicle control, treatment also caused significant dose-dependent reductions in SDH, alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase activities in the kidney of mice. Vitamin E cotreatment as well as, 30 d withdrawal of arsenic trioxide treatment with or without vitamin E caused significant amelioration in arsenic-induced toxicity in mice. Administration of vitamin E during withdrawal of treatment also caused significant amelioration as compared from only withdrawal of the treatment. It is concluded that vitamin E ameliorates arsenic-induced toxicities in the liver and kidney of mice.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Arsenic / administration & dosage
  • Arsenic / toxicity*
  • Body Weight
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / pathology*
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / enzymology
  • Liver / pathology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Phosphorylases / pharmacology
  • Succinate Dehydrogenase / pharmacology
  • Vitamin E / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin E / pharmacology

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Vitamin E
  • Succinate Dehydrogenase
  • Phosphorylases
  • Arsenic