title: Distribution and accumulation of a mixture of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel, and vanadium in mouse small intestine, kidneys, pancreas, and femur following oral administration in water or feed.
abstract: Manufactured gas plant (MGP) sites are contaminated with coal tar and may contain metals such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and vanadium (V). These metals are known to cause cancer or other adverse health conditions in humans, and the extent and cost of remediating MGP sites may be influenced by the presence of these metals. Studies assessed the distribution of these metals in female B6C3F1 mice ingesting (1) a metal mixture in water or (2) an MGP mixture in NIH-31 feed. The highest metal levels were measured in the small intestine and kidneys of mice receiving the metal mixture in water. For mice receiving the metal mixture in water, levels of As, Cd, and Cr, in the small intestine, levels of As, Cd, Cr, and V in the kidneys, levels of As and Cd in the pancreas, and levels of Cr and V in the femur were significantly greater than controls at 4, 8, 12, 16, and 24 wk. Except for Ni levels in the small intestine and femur and Cr levels in the kidneys, levels of metals were much lower in mice administered the MGP mixture in feed. The highest concentrations of metals in mice ingesting the MGP mixture in feed were found in the small intestine and kidneys, but few were significantly greater than controls. Levels of As in the small intestine at 6 and 18 wk and levels of Cr in the kidneys at 12, 18, and 24 wk were significantly greater than in controls. The data suggest that tissue burdens in small intestine, kidneys, pancreas, and femur of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, and vanadium are less when metals are present as an MGP mixture in feed than as a mixture in water. The reduced distribution and accumulation of metals in the organs of mice ingesting the MGP mixture in feed compared to the levels in organs of mice ingesting the metal mixture in water suggests that metals may be less likely to accumulate in humans ingesting MGP mixtures, thereby presenting a lower overall human health risk. The data presented indicate that the matrix in which metals are present will affect the uptake of individual metals and the organ specificity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Ohio 45267, USA.
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Radike
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Warshawsky
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.forename: Regine
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Goth-Goldstein
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Reilman
authors.forename: Tyrone
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Collins
authors.forename: Marlene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yaeger
authors.forename: Jiansheng
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Nohora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vela
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Schneider
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D001151:Arsenic / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D003033:Coal Tar; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007220:Industrial Waste; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000737:chemistry; D007668:Kidney / Q000737:chemistry; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D051381:Rats; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014867:Water
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D014867:Water; D003033:Coal Tar; D001151:Arsenic