Glutathione plays different roles in the induction of the cytotoxic effects of inorganic and organic arsenic compounds in cultured BALB/c 3T3 cells.
The cytotoxicity of arsenic compounds towards BALB/c 3T3 cells in culture was investigated, together with the role of glutathione (GSH) in the induction of the cytotoxic effects. The rank order of cytotoxicity was as follows: arsenite (As3+) > arsenate (As5+) > dimethylarsinic acid (DMAA) > methylarsonic acid (MAA) > trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO). Arsenobetaine, arsenocholine and the tetramethylarsonium ion were less toxic. Depletion of GSH enhanced the cytotoxic effects of As3+, As5+, MAA and TMAO, while the cytotoxicity of DMAA was markedly reduced by depletion of GSH. These results suggest that GSH plays a role in protecting the cells against the toxic effects of As3+, As5+, MAA and TMAO while it is involved in the induction of the cytotoxic effects of DMAA.
Ochi
T
T
Department of Environmental Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Teikyo University, Kanagawa, Japan.
Kaise
T
T
Oya-Ohta
Y
Y
D016475:3T3 Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D001149:Arsenates / Q000633:toxicity; D001151:Arsenic / Q000633:toxicity*; D018053:Arsenites / Q000633:toxicity; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D005978:Glutathione / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice
D001149:Arsenates; D018053:Arsenites; D005978:Glutathione; C015001:arsenite; D001151:Arsenic; C025657:arsenic acid