Supplementation of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol prevents arsenic-induced protein oxidation and DNA damage induced by arsenic in rats

Hum Exp Toxicol. 2007 Dec;26(12):939-46. doi: 10.1177/0960327107087909.

Abstract

Contamination of arsenic in drinking water is associated with several human diseases including cancer. It has been reported that oxidative stress plays a vital role in arsenic-induced biochemical and molecular alterations. The aim of the present study was to improve the understanding of arsenic-induced oxidative damage to proteins and to DNA and the role of antioxidants such as ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol in alleviating arsenic-induced damages in experimental rats. A significant increase in the levels of protein oxidation, DNA strand breaks, and DNA-protein cross-links was observed in blood, liver, and kidney of rats exposed to arsenic (100 ppm in drinking water) for 30 days. Co-administration of ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol to arsenic-exposed rats showed a substantial reduction in the levels of arsenic-induced oxidative products of protein and DNA. The results of this study support that free radical-mediated toxic manifestations of arsenic and also suggest that ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol supplementation can improve the arsenic-induced molecular alterations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Arsenic Poisoning / metabolism
  • Arsenic Poisoning / prevention & control*
  • Arsenites / toxicity
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Comet Assay
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • DNA Damage / drug effects*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / toxicity
  • Kidney / chemistry
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Liver / chemistry
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Protein Carbonylation / drug effects*
  • Protein Carbonylation / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Sodium Compounds / toxicity
  • Water Supply
  • alpha-Tocopherol / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Arsenites
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Sodium Compounds
  • sodium arsenite
  • alpha-Tocopherol
  • Ascorbic Acid