• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.161-167
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• 2008

Recently, arsenic-toxicity has become the major focus of strenuous assessment and dynamic research from the academy and regulatory agency. To elucidate the cause and the mechanism underlying the serious adverse health effects from chronic ingestion of arsenic-contaminated drinking water, numerous studies have been directed on the investigation of arsenic-toxicity using various in vitro as well as in vivo systems. Neverthless, some questions for arsenic effects remain unexplained, reflecting the contribution of unknown factors to the manifestation of arsenic-toxicity. Interestingly, very recent studies on arsenic metabolites have discovered that trivalent methylated arsenicals show stronger cytotoxic and genotoxic potentials than inorganic arsenic or pentavalent metabolites, arguing that these metabolites could play a key role in arsenic-associated disorders. In this review, recent progress and literatures are summarized on the metabolism of trivalent methylated metabolites and their toxicity on body systems including cardiovascular system in an effort to provide an insight into the future research on arsenic-associated disorders.

• Development and Reproduction
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.167-180
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• 2015

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid that exists ubiquitously in the environment, and affects global health problems due to its carcinogenicity. In most populations, the main source of arsenic exposure is the drinking water. In drinking water, chronic exposure to arsenic is associated with increased risks of various cancers including those of skin, lung, bladder, and liver, as well as numerous other non-cancer diseases including gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurologic and cognitive problems. Recent emerging evidences suggest that arsenic exposure affects the reproductive and developmental toxicity. Prenatal exposure to inorganic arsenic causes adverse pregnancy outcomes and children's health problems. Some epidemiological studies have reported that arsenic exposure induces premature delivery, spontaneous abortion, and stillbirth. In animal studies, inorganic arsenic also causes fetal malformation, growth retardation, and fetal death. These toxic effects depend on dose, route and gestation periods of arsenic exposure. In males, inorganic arsenic causes reproductive dysfunctions including reductions of the testis weights, accessory sex organs weights, and epididymal sperm counts. In addition, inorganic arsenic exposure also induces alterations of spermatogenesis, reductions of testosterone and gonadotrophins, and disruptions of steroidogenesis. However, the reproductive and developmental problems following arsenic exposure are poorly understood, and the molecular mechanism of arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity remains unclear. Thus, we further investigated several possible mechanisms underlying arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity.

• Korean Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.31-41
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• 2018

Seaweeds are composed of a variety of bioactive substances, including polysaccharides, pigments, minerals, peptides, and polyphenols. Among these substances, the arsenic content of seaweeds has been a significant cause for concern. The present study evaluated the toxicity of arsenic from three species of seaweed using a zebrafish Danio rerio model. The arsenic-rich extracts were obtained from Ecklonia cava (ECAE), Undaria pinnatifida (UPAE) and Hizikia fusiformis (HFAE) using a solvent of 50% methanol and 1% $HNO_3$. We investigated the toxicity of the arsenic-rich extracts in zebrafish embryos through survival rate, heart rate, yolk sac edema size, cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The hepatotoxicity of arsenic-rich extracts was assessed in the liver of adult zebrafish through real-time PCR and histopathology. The survival rates of embryos and adult zebrafish showed no significant changes at any concentration. At 100 ppm, embryos did not exhibit significant differences in heart rate, yolk sac edema size, cell death or ROS production. In addition, apoptosis-related genes in larvae and liver tissue were unaffected by treatment with arsenic-rich extracts. These data will help clarify that developmental changes, hepatic oxidative stress, and apoptosis are not associated with toxicity from arsenic-rich seaweed extracts in a zebrafish model.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.176-183
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• 2013

The variation of the stable region of arsenic compounds in aqueous environment with temperature has been investigated by constructing the Pourbaix diagram of arsenic at different temperatures. The standard potential corresponding to the boundary between arsenic compounds with different charge valence was estimated to be decreased with temperature, which means the stability of arsenic compound with +5 charge valence increases. The distribution diagram of the most highly oxidized arsenic compound showed that arsenic acid is formed at higher pH and arsenate is generated at lower pH as temperature rises. The aquatic toxicity due to arsenic compounds was considered to be decreased with temperature in the neutral pH condition based on the $LD_T$ value defined in this study.

• Journal of Evidence-Based Herbal Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.43-49
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• 2009

Sodium arsenate and Yeonlyeonggobon-dan (nianlinggubendan) extract (YGD), a herbal restorative were treated p.o. 20 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively, and concurrently to rats, and examined the biochemical parameters in blood. The values of white blood cell (WBC), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct) in each group did not show significant variance. The value of aspartate aminotrasferase (AST) of arsenic-treated group was increased for 2 weeks significantly while that of the group of concurrent administration with YGD became low significantly compared with arsenic-treated group and the value of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of arsenic-treated group was decreased while that of the group of concurrent administration with YGD was increased significantly compared with arsenic-treated group. In arsenic-treated groups, the value of glucose (Glu), and those of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and triglyceride (TG) were decreased at first but increased later while the groups of concurrent administration with YGD showed significant recovery from the toxicity of arsenic.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.237-246
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• 2023

Background: Arsenic is a metalloid of public health significance due to its unique material properties and toxicity and the widespread pollution in the environment. Arsenic exists as inorganic arsenic and organic arsenic with distinct chemical properties. Its toxicity varies depending on the properties. Objectives: Although the carcinogenicity of arsenic has been identified, the various diseases that occur after acute and chronic exposure to arsenic are not yet clearly known. Methods: Research on the effects of chronic exposure to arsenic on human health was searched and the results were summarized. Results: It has been found that cancer occurs due to exposure to high concentrations of arsenic in areas with elevated exposure to arsenic, but research results have recently been presented on health effects caused by chronic exposure to low concentrations of arsenic. Cancers have also been identified to be related to inorganic arsenic, including skin cancer, lung cancer, and bladder cancer. Significant relationships with neurological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes mellitus have been suggested as well. Conclusions: Our results suggest that it is necessary to evaluate the health impact on residents around abandoned metal mines and industrial complexes in South Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.245-252
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• 2014

Arsenic is a unique element with distinct physical characteristics and toxicity whose importance in public health is well recognized. The toxicity of arsenic varies across its different forms. While the carcinogenicity of arsenic has been confirmed, the mechanisms behind the diseases occurring after acute or chronic exposure to arsenic are not well understood. Inorganic arsenic has been confirmed as a human carcinogen that can induce skin, lung, and bladder cancer. There are also reports of its significant association to liver, prostate, and bladder cancer. Recent studies have also suggested a relationship with diabetes, neurological effects, cardiac disorders, and reproductive organs, but further studies are required to confirm these associations. The majority of research to date has examined cancer incidence after a high exposure to high concentrations of arsenic. However, numerous studies have reported various health effects caused by chronic exposure to low concentrations of arsenic. An assessment of the health effects to arsenic exposure has never been performed in the South Korean population; thus, objective estimates of exposure levels are needed. Data should be collected on the biological exposure level for the total arsenic concentration, and individual arsenic concentration by species. In South Korea, we believe that biological exposure assessment should be the first step, followed by regular health effect assessments.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.219-225
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• 2008

A screening study of the acute toxicity of organic arsenics such as arsenobetaine and arsenocholine, a product of arsenic methylation metabolite, and inorganic arsenic was carried out to examine hematological and serum biochemical parameters in cynomolgus monkeys(Macaca fascicularis). We found soft and liquid feces, and vomiting in all treated groups with inorganic and organic arsenics. The monkeys in inorganic arsenic-treated group showed a significant increase in vomiting frequency compared with those in three organic arsenics-treated groups. These results suggest that inorganic arsenic might be more toxic than three other organic arsenics tested. The monkeys in inorganic arsenic-treated group showed a decrease in platelet and an increase in monocyte on day 4 and the monkeys in arsenocholine-treated group showed an increase in reticulocyte percentage on day 8. The monkeys in inorganic-treated group also showed decreases in AST and ALT values and the monkeys in arsenobetaine-treated group showed a decrease in AST value and an increase in T-CHO value. However, these hematological and biochemical changes were within the physiological ranges, showing that the single dose of inorganic and organic arsenics did not affect at least hematological and serum biochemical parameters. The present study of toxicity with single dose of arsenics provides valuable indicators for longer term study of toxicity of repeated doses of arsenics in primates.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.5 no.1 s.8
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• pp.171-180
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• 2002

Objective: The purpose of this study is to develop and activate the methods of using the arsenic compounds as the anti-cancer medicine. Methods: We investigated some literatures on the using methods, the effects for anti-cancer, and the toxicity of the arsenic compounds. Results: The results are summarized as follows. 1. As is the one of the nitrogen familIy(5A familly). 2. The Arsenic compounds which have been used as the one of the oriental medicine are the Arsenicum Sulbimatum($As_2O_3$) and the Realgar(AsS). 3. As+ 3 is more toxic than the other arsenic compounds. The fatal amount is 100-300 mg. So, it is used 1-5 mg/day as a medicine. 4. The Arsenicwn Sulbimatum($As_2O_3$) and the Realgar(AsS) are used after the heat treatment or the boiling with the acetic acid. 5. The gastrointestinal tract, vessel, and respiration are affected by the acute toxicity of the arsenic compounds. 6. The arsenic compounds are good for the dermatosis and the malignant cancer, especially the acute promyelocytic leukcrnia(APL). we should study the reason of these and the different effect in concentration, also develop new methods of using the the arsenic compounds as getting rid of their toxicity.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.374-378
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• 1998

Sodium arsenate and Paljin-Tang extract (PJT), a herbal restorative were treated p.o. 20 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, respectively, and concurrently to rats, and examined the effects on the liver of rats. The values of protein, aniline hydroxylase (AH) and 2-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) were increased in arsenic-treated group. The values of glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-P) and ${\delta}-aminolevulinic$ acid dehydratase (ALAD) of arsenic-treated group were decreased. But concurrent ad-ministration with PJT showed significant recovery from the toxicity of arsenic.