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Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jan 2021Arsenic is a toxic heavy metal vastly dispersed all over the earth crust. It manifests several major adverse health issues to millions of arsenic exposed populations.... (Review)
Review
Arsenic is a toxic heavy metal vastly dispersed all over the earth crust. It manifests several major adverse health issues to millions of arsenic exposed populations. Arsenic is associated with different types of cancer, cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, hypertension and many other diseases. On the contrary, arsenic (arsenic trioxide, AsO) is used as a chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia. Balance between arsenic induced cellular proliferations and apoptosis finally decide the outcome of its transformation rate. Arsenic propagates signals via cellular and nuclear pathways depending upon the chemical nature, and metabolic-fates of the arsenical compounds. Arsenic toxicity is propagated via ROS induced stress to DNA-repair mechanism and mitochondrial stability in the cell. ROS induced alteration in p53 regulation and some mitogen/ oncogenic functions determine the transformation outcome influencing cyclin-cdk complexes. Growth factor regulator proteins such as c-Jun, c-fos and c-myc are influenced by chronic arsenic exposure. In this review we have delineated arsenic induced ROS regulations of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), NF-ĸβ, MAP kinase, matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs). The role of these signaling molecules has been discussed in relation to cellular apoptosis, cellular proliferation and neoplastic transformation. The arsenic stimulated pathways which help in proliferation and neoplastic transformation ultimately resulted in cancer manifestation whereas apoptotic pathways inhibited carcinogenesis. Therapeutic strategies against arsenic should be designed taking into account all these factors.
Topics: Antineoplastic Agents; Apoptosis; Arsenic; Arsenic Trioxide; Arsenicals; Cell Proliferation; Humans; Mitochondria; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; Neoplasms; Oxides; Plastics; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 33396077
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111752 -
Environment International May 2019Arsenic is a non-essential, environmentally ubiquitous toxic metalloid. In response to this pervasive environmental challenge, organisms evolved mechanisms to confer... (Review)
Review
Arsenic is a non-essential, environmentally ubiquitous toxic metalloid. In response to this pervasive environmental challenge, organisms evolved mechanisms to confer resistance to arsenicals. Inorganic pentavalent arsenate is taken into most cells adventitiously by phosphate uptake systems. Similarly, inorganic trivalent arsenite is taken into most cells adventitiously, primarily via aquaglyceroporins or sugar permeases. The most common strategy for tolerance to both inorganic and organic arsenicals is by efflux that extrude them from the cytosol. These efflux transporters span across kingdoms and belong to various families such as aquaglyceroporins, major facilitator superfamily (MFS) transporters, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and potentially novel, yet to be discovered families. This review will outline the properties and substrates of known arsenic transport systems, the current knowledge gaps in the field, and aims to provide insight into the importance of arsenic transport in the context of the global arsenic biogeocycle and human health.
Topics: Animals; Arsenic; Arsenicals; Biological Transport; Humans; Membrane Transport Proteins
PubMed: 30852446
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2019.02.058 -
Environment International Apr 2023There is limited evidence on the effects of arsenic species and metabolic capacity on child neurodevelopment, particularly at low levels. Further, little is known about...
BACKGROUND
There is limited evidence on the effects of arsenic species and metabolic capacity on child neurodevelopment, particularly at low levels. Further, little is known about the critical window of exposure.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate the associations of arsenic exposure and arsenic metabolism in different pregnancy periods with neurodevelopment of two-year-old children.
METHODS
Concentrations of arsenobetaine (AsB), arsenite, arsenate, monomethyl arsenic acid (MMA), and dimethyl arsenic acid (DMA) in urine samples collected in three trimesters from 1006 mothers were measured using HPLC - ICPMS. Inorganic arsenic (iAs) was calculated as the sum of arsenite and arsenate. Total arsenic (tAs) was calculated as the sum of iAs, MMA and DMA. Child neurodevelopment was assessed with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development.
RESULTS
The geometric mean (GM) of SG-adjusted tAs in the first, second, third trimester was 16.37, 12.94, 13.04 μg/L, respectively. The mental development index (MDI) score was inversely associated with iAs and tAs. Compared to the 1st quartile, the MDI score decreased 0.43 (95%CI: -4.22, 3.36) for the 2nd, 6.50 (95%CI: -11.73, -1.27) for the 3rd, 5.42 (95%CI: -10.74, -0.10) for the 4th quartiles of iAs, and decreased 4.03 (95%CI: -7.90, -0.15) in the 4th quartile of tAs. In trimester-specific models, negative associations of DMA [-1.94 (95%CI: -3.18, -0.71)] and tAs [-1.61 (95%CI: -3.02, -0.20)] with the psychomotor development index (PDI) were only observed in 1st trimester.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study found inverse associations between prenatal arsenic exposure, especially in early pregnancy, and neurodevelopment of children at two years old, even at low exposure levels.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Child, Preschool; Arsenic; Arsenates; Arsenites; Arsenicals; Cacodylic Acid; Vitamins
PubMed: 37043832
DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107918 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Apr 2021Direct or indirect exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) in the forms of AsIII (arsenite) and AsV (arsenate) through consumption of As-contaminated food materials and... (Review)
Review
Direct or indirect exposure to inorganic arsenic (iAs) in the forms of AsIII (arsenite) and AsV (arsenate) through consumption of As-contaminated food materials and drinking water leads to arsenic poisoning. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) plant potentially accumulates a high amount of iAs from paddy fields than any other cereal crops. This makes it to be a major source of iAs especially among the population that uses it as their dominant source of diet. The accumulation of As in human bodies poses a serious global health risk to the human population. Various conventional methods have been applied to reduce the arsenic accumulation in rice plant. However, the success rate of these techniques is low. Therefore, the development of efficient and effective methods aimed at lowering iAs toxicity is a very crucial public concern. With the current advancement in technology, new strategies aimed at addressing this concern are being developed and utilized in various parts of the world. In this review, we discuss the recent advances in the management of iAs in rice plants emphasizing the use of nanotechnology and biotechnology approaches. Also, the prospects and challenges facing these approaches are described.
Topics: Arsenic; Arsenic Poisoning; Arsenicals; Drinking Water; Food Contamination; Humans; Oryza
PubMed: 33418521
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124751 -
Cells Sep 2022Arsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid for all living organisms and can cause serious harm to humans. Arsenic is also toxic to plants. To alleviate As toxicity, all living... (Review)
Review
Arsenic (As) is a toxic metalloid for all living organisms and can cause serious harm to humans. Arsenic is also toxic to plants. To alleviate As toxicity, all living organisms (from prokaryotes to higher plants) have evolved comprehensive mechanisms to reduce cytosolic As concentration through the set of As transporters localized at the plasma and tonoplast membranes, which operate either in arsenite As(III) extrusion out of cells (via ArsB, ACR3, and aquaporins) or by sequestering arsenic into vacuoles (by ABC transporters). In addition, a special arsenate resistance mechanism found in some bacterial systems has evolved in an As hyperaccumulating fern , which involves transforming arsenate As(V) to an As(V) phosphoglycerate derivative by a glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and transporting this complex by an efflux transporter. In the present review, we summarize the evolution of these arsenic resistance mechanisms from prokaryotes to eukaryotes and discuss future approaches that could be utilized to better understand and improve As resistance mechanisms in plants.
Topics: Arsenates; Arsenic; Bacteria; Membrane Transport Proteins; Pteris; Vacuoles
PubMed: 36078150
DOI: 10.3390/cells11172741 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Aug 2022Bacteria play crucial roles in the biogeochemical cycle of arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) as these elements are metabolized via detoxification, energy generation...
Bacteria play crucial roles in the biogeochemical cycle of arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) as these elements are metabolized via detoxification, energy generation (anaerobic respiration) and biosynthesis (e.g. selenocysteine) strategies. To date, arsenic and selenium biomineralization in bacteria were studied separately. In this study, the anaerobic metabolism of As and Se in Shewanella sp. O23S was investigated separately and mixed, with an emphasis put on the biomineralization products of this process. Multiple analytical techniques including ICP-MS, TEM-EDS, XRD, Micro-Raman, spectrophotometry and surface charge (zeta potential) were employed. Shewanella sp. O23S is capable of reducing selenate (SeO) and selenite (SeO) to red Se(-S), and arsenate (AsO) to arsenite (AsO). The release of HS from cysteine led to the precipitation of AsS minerals: nanorod AsS and granular AsS. When As and Se oxyanions were mixed, both As-S and Se(-S) biominerals were synthesized. All biominerals were extracellular, amorphous and presented a negative surface charge (-24 to -38 mV). Kinetic analysis indicated the following reduction yields: SeO (90%), AsO (60%), and SeO (<10%). The mix of SeO with AsO led to a decrease in As removal to 30%, while Se reduction yield was unaffected (88%). Interestingly, SeO incubated with AsO boosted the Se removal (71%). The exclusive extracellular formation of As and Se biominerals might indicate an extracellular respiratory process characteristic of various Shewanella species and strains. This is the first study documenting a complex interplay between As and Se oxyanions: selenite decreased arsenate reduction, whereas arsenate stimulated selenate reduction. Further investigation needs to clarify whether Shewanella sp. O23S employs multi-substrate respiratory enzymes or separate, high affinity enzymes for As and Se oxyanion respiration.
Topics: Arsenates; Arsenic; Biomineralization; Kinetics; Selenic Acid; Selenious Acid; Selenium; Selenium Compounds; Shewanella
PubMed: 35569621
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119451 -
Tidsskrift For Den Norske Laegeforening... Nov 2004Arsenic poisoning has been discussed frequently in Norway during the past year on the background of a suspected crime case. There seem to be several uncertainties... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Arsenic poisoning has been discussed frequently in Norway during the past year on the background of a suspected crime case. There seem to be several uncertainties regarding this issue, also in the medical profession.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
We have searched the literature and made a review based upon the present knowledge about arsenic and arsenic poisoning.
RESULTS
Arsenic can be found in numerous chemical compounds with different properties. Inorganic arsenic compounds, like arsenic trioxide, are reactive and can cause damage to the body. Organic arsenic compounds, which are found in high concentrations in fish and shellfish, are not considered toxic. Ingestion of inorganic arsenic affects cellular energy production; lethal poisonings can occur. Common clinical features after acute intoxication with arsenic are dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, intense thirst, and muscle cramps. Clinical features of chronic poisoning are hyperkeratosis in the palms and foot soles, pigmentation and conjunctivitis.
INTERPRETATION
Arsenic poisoning is a rare condition; its clinical features are uncharacteristic and the diagnosis must be confirmed by analysis of blood, urine and hair.
Topics: Arsenates; Arsenic Poisoning; Arsenicals; Humans
PubMed: 15534666
DOI: No ID Found -
Canadian Medical Association Journal Sep 1975Palmar and plantar keratoses developed in seven patients many years after ingeston of trivalent inorganic arsenic. Six had basal cell carcinoma (superficial multicentric...
Palmar and plantar keratoses developed in seven patients many years after ingeston of trivalent inorganic arsenic. Six had basal cell carcinoma (superficial multicentric type in five), carcinoma "in situ" or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Two had systemic carcinoma--one, bilateral breast adenocarcinoma and one, carcinoma of the colon. From these observations and from the findings of a review of the literature, there seems no question that long-term arsenic ingestion can cause palmar and plantar keratoses and skin cancer, particularly basal cell carcinoma of the superficial multicentric type, usually on the torso. It is suspected but not proved to cause other cancers. Although over the last 50 years general exposure to arsenic has greatly decreased, particularly that from insecticides, this element is still found occasionally in drinking water (naturally or as a smelter byproduct), in certain foods and in cigarette smoke.
Topics: Adenocarcinoma; Aged; Arsenates; Arsenic; Breast Neoplasms; Carcinoma; Carcinoma in Situ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Colonic Neoplasms; Female; Food Contamination; Humans; Insecticides; Keratoderma, Palmoplantar; Male; Middle Aged; Skin Neoplasms; Smoking; Time Factors; Water Supply
PubMed: 125622
DOI: No ID Found -
Biometals : An International Journal on... Apr 2023Arsenicals are one of the oldest treatments for a variety of human disorders. Although infamous for its toxicity, arsenic is paradoxically a therapeutic agent that has... (Review)
Review
Arsenicals are one of the oldest treatments for a variety of human disorders. Although infamous for its toxicity, arsenic is paradoxically a therapeutic agent that has been used since ancient times for the treatment of multiple diseases. The use of most arsenic-based drugs was abandoned with the discovery of antibiotics in the 1940s, but a few remained in use such as those for the treatment of trypanosomiasis. In the 1970s, arsenic trioxide, the active ingredient in a traditional Chinese medicine, was shown to produce dramatic remission of acute promyelocytic leukemia similar to the effect of all-trans retinoic acid. Since then, there has been a renewed interest in the clinical use of arsenicals. Here the ancient and modern medicinal uses of inorganic and organic arsenicals are reviewed. Included are antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic and anticancer applications. In the face of increasing antibiotic resistance and the emergence of deadly pathogens such as the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, we propose revisiting arsenicals with proven efficacy to combat emerging pathogens. Current advances in science and technology can be employed to design newer arsenical drugs with high therapeutic index. These novel arsenicals can be used in combination with existing drugs or serve as valuable alternatives in the fight against cancer and emerging pathogens. The discovery of the pentavalent arsenic-containing antibiotic arsinothricin, which is effective against multidrug-resistant pathogens, illustrates the future potential of this new class of organoarsenical antibiotics.
Topics: Humans; Arsenic; Oxides; COVID-19; Arsenicals; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 35190937
DOI: 10.1007/s10534-022-00371-y -
Environmental Research Nov 2022Arsenic (As) exposure has been extensively studied by investigating As species (e.g., inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid...
Arsenic (As) exposure has been extensively studied by investigating As species (e.g., inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA)) in urine, yet recent research suggests that blood could be a possible biomarker of As exposure. These investigations, however, were conducted on iAs-contaminated areas, and evidence on populations exposed to low levels of iAs is limited. This study aimed to describe the levels and distributions of As species in urine and blood, as well as to estimate methylation efficiency and related factors in the Korean population. Biological samples were obtained by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. A total of 2025 urine samples and 598 blood samples were utilized in this study. Six As species were measured using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (UPLC-ICP-MS): As(V), As(III), MMA, DMA, arsenobetaine (AsB), and arsenocholine (AsC). Multiple linear regression models were used to examine the relationship between As species (concentrations and proportions) and covariates. AsB was the most prevalent species in urine and blood. The relative composition of iAs, MMA, DMA, and AsC in urine and blood differed significantly. Consumption of blue-backed fish was linked to higher levels of AsB in urine and blood. Type of drinking water and multigrain rice consumption were associated with increased iAs concentration in urine. Except for iAs, every species had correlations in urine and blood in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Adolescents and smokers presented a lower methylation efficiency (higher %MMA and lower %DMA in urine) and females presented a higher methylation efficiency (lower %iAs, %MMA, and higher %DMA in urine). In conclusion, blood iAs concentration cannot represent urinary iAs; nonetheless, different compositions of urine and blood might reflect distinct information about iAs exposure. Further investigations on exposure factors and health are needed using low-exposure groups.
Topics: Animals; Arsenic; Arsenicals; Cacodylic Acid; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Drinking Water; Female; Republic of Korea
PubMed: 35820651
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113846