Acute maternal arsenic intoxication with neonatal death

Gene Environment Interactions in the Etiology of Neural Tube Defects

Human structural congenital malformations are the leading cause of infant mortality in the United States. Estimates from the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) determine that close to 3% of all United States newborns present with birth defects; the worldwide estimate approaches 6% of infants presenting with congenital anomalies. The scientific community has recognized for decades that the majority of birth defects have undetermined etiologies, although we propose that environmental agents interacting with inherited susceptibility genes are the major contributing factors. Neural tube defects (NTDs) are among the most prevalent human birth defects and as such, these malformations will be the primary focus of this review. NTDs result from failures in embryonic central nervous system development and are classified by their anatomical locations. Defects in the posterior portion of the neural tube are referred to as meningomyeloceles (spina bifida), while the more anterior defects are differentiated as anencephaly, encephalocele, or iniencephaly. Craniorachischisis involves a failure of the neural folds to elevate and thus disrupt the entire length of the neural tube. Worldwide NTDs have a prevalence of approximately 18.6 per 10,000 live births. It is widely believed that genetic factors are responsible for some 70% of NTDs, while the intrauterine environment tips the balance toward neurulation failure in at risk individuals. Despite aggressive educational campaigns to inform the public about folic acid supplementation and the benefits of providing mandatory folic acid food fortification in the United States, NTDs still affect up to 2,300 United States births annually and some 166,000 spina bifida patients currently live in the United States, more than half of whom are now adults. Within the context of this review, we will consider the role of maternal nutritional status (deficiency states involving B vitamins and one carbon analytes) and the potential modifiers of NTD risk beyond folic acid. There are several well-established human teratogens that contribute to the population burden of NTDs, including: industrial waste and pollutants [e.g., arsenic, pesticides, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)], pharmaceuticals (e.g., anti-epileptic medications), and maternal hyperthermia during the first trimester. Animal models for these teratogens are described with attention focused on valproic acid (VPA; Depakote). Genetic interrogation of model systems involving VPA will be used as a model approach to discerning susceptibility factors that define the gene-environment interactions contributing to the etiology of NTDs.

Administration of zinc against arsenic-induced nephrotoxicity during gestation and lactation in rat model

Background

Free radicals production by toxicity of arsenic (Ar) is most important in the nephrotoxicity. There is accumulating evidence that zinc (Zn), has anti-oxidant properties.

Objectives

The aim of present study was to evaluate protective and ameliorative effects of Zn against Ar-induced nephrotoxicity in rat pups during gestation and lactation.

Materials and Methods

Twenty-four adult pregnant wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6). Group one was given vehicle only. Group two received Zn (ZnSO4) at 20 mg/kg/d. Group three received Ar at 5 mg/kg/d as sodium meta-arsenite. Group four received Ar + Zn at the same dose that mentioned in groups of two and three. At the end of the study, 24 hours after the last treatment, samples were killed with overdose of sodium pentobarbital and kidneys were harvested for measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and histopathological assessment.

Results

The MDA level in kidney was increased in the Ar group, which was decreased after Zn administration in the Ar + Zn group. The GSH level in kidney was decreased in the Ar group, which were increased after Zn administration in the Ar + Zn group. Also, the histopathological changes which were detected in the Ar group attenuated after Zn consumption.

Conclusions

Our findings suggested that administration of Zn during gestation and lactation could have protective and prevent effect in Ar-induced oxidative stress in kidney tissue.

Arsenate-induced apoptosis in murine embryonic maxillary mesenchymal cells via mitochondrial-mediated oxidative injury

BACKGROUND

Arsenic is a ubiquitous element that is a potential carcinogen and teratogen and can cause adverse developmental outcomes. Arsenic exerts its toxic effects through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that include hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), superoxide-derived hydroxyl ion, and peroxyl radicals. However, the molecular mechanisms by which arsenic induces cytotoxicity in murine embryonic maxillary mesenchymal (MEMM) cells are undefined.

METHODS

MEMM cells in culture were treated with different concentrations of pentavalent sodium arsenate [As (V)] for 24 or 48 hr and various end points measured.

RESULTS

Treatment of MEMM cells with the pentavalent form of inorganic arsenic resulted in caspase-mediated apoptosis, accompanied by generation of ROS and disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential. Treatment with caspase inhibitors markedly blocked apoptosis. In addition, the free radical scavenger N-acetylcysteine dramatically attenuated arsenic-mediated ROS production and apoptosis, and exposure to arsenate increased Bax and decreased Bcl protein levels in MEMM cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, these findings suggest that in MEMM cells arsenate-mediated oxidative injury acts as an early and upstream initiator of the cell death cascade, triggering cytotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, altered Bcl/Bax protein ratios, and activation of caspase-9.

Arsenite exposure compromises early embryonic development in the Golden hamster

The toxicity of arsenite to 8-cell stage hamster embryos was evaluated. Females were superovulated and mated; embryos were collected and grown for 72 h in culture medium containing vehicle control, 25, 50, 250, 500, or 750 nM arsenite. Morphological observations were taken at 0 and 24h increments. A TUNEL assay was used for determining DNA damage. Survival was expressed by the ability to undergo zona escape. The control group had 78% survival and no evidence of deformities. Embryos in the 25, 50 and 250 nM groups had survival rates of 63%, 55% and 27%, respectively. Arsenite exposure caused total embryo lethality, major deformities, complete failure to undergo zona lysis, and significantly higher number of cells with fragmented DNA in embryos at the 500 and 750 nM concentrations. The study underscores the sensitivity of preimplantation stage embryos to the presence of even relatively small amounts of arsenic in luminal fluid.

Arsenicals in maternal and fetal mouse tissues after gestational exposure to arsenite

Exposure of pregnant C3H/HeNCR mice to 42.5- or 85-ppm of arsenic as sodium arsenite in drinking water between days 8 and 18 of gestation markedly increases tumor incidence in their offspring. In the work reported here, distribution of inorganic arsenic and its metabolites, methyl arsenic and dimethyl arsenic, were determined in maternal and fetal tissues collected on gestational day 18 of these exposure regimens. Tissues were collected from three females and from associated fetuses exposed to each dosage level. Concentrations of total speciated arsenic (sum of inorganic, methyl, and dimethyl arsenic) were higher in maternal tissues than in placenta and fetal tissues; total speciated arsenic concentration in placenta exceeded those in fetal tissues. Significant dosage-dependent (42.5 ppm versus 85 ppm of arsenite in drinking water) differences were found in total speciated arsenic concentrations in maternal lung (p<0.01) and liver (p<0.001). Total speciated arsenic concentrations did not differ significantly between dosage levels for maternal blood or for fetal lung, liver, and blood, or for placenta. Percentages of inorganic, methyl, or dimethyl arsenic in maternal or fetal tissues were not dosage-dependent. Over the range of total speciated arsenic concentrations in most maternal and fetal tissues, dimethyl arsenic was the most abundant arsenical. However, in maternal liver at the highest total speciated arsenic concentration, inorganic arsenic was the most abundant arsenical, suggesting that a high tissue burden of arsenic affected formation or retention of methylated species in this organ. Tissue concentration-dependent processes could affect kinetics of transfer of inorganic arsenic or its metabolites from mother to fetus.