title: Mechanisms of arsenic disruption on gonadal, adrenal and thyroid endocrine systems in humans: A review.
abstract: Due to its toxicity as a carcinogen and wide distribution in the environment, arsenic (As) exposure in humans is of public concern globally. Many studies have manifested that As exposure induces cancers besides pathological effects in humans. Animal studies showed that chronic As exposure induces serious neurological effects. Based on recent studies, researchers proposed that As, including arsenate (AsV) and arsenite (AsIII), is also an endocrine disruptor. This review discusses the mechanisms of As toxicity on three endocrine systems including gonadal, adrenal and thyroid endocrine systems. Arsenic methylation and oxidative stress are responsible for As-induced disorders of endocrine systems, however, strong binding of AsIII to thiols also play an important role. Some studies showed AsV toxicity on endocrine systems, but mechanistic investigation is lacking. Research is needed to look into their toxicity mechanisms to help cure the illnesses caused by As-induced endocrine system disorders.
authors: State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu 210046, China; College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China.
authors: Hong-Jie
authors: HJ
authors: Sun
authors: State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu 210046, China.
authors: Ping
authors: P
authors: Xiang
authors: State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu 210046, China.
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Luo
authors: College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China.
authors: Huachang
authors: H
authors: Hong
authors: College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China.
authors: Hongjun
authors: H
authors: Lin
authors: State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu 210046, China. Electronic address: hongboli@nju.edu.cn.
authors: Hong-Bo
authors: HB
authors: Li
authors: State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Jiangsu 210046, China; Soil and Water Science Department, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA. Electronic address: lqma@ufl.edu.
authors: Lena Q
authors: LQ
authors: Ma
mesh_terms: D000311:Adrenal Glands / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D001149:Arsenates; D001151:Arsenic / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D018053:Arsenites; D006066:Gonads / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008745:Methylation; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D001149:Arsenates; D018053:Arsenites; C015001:arsenite; D001151:Arsenic; C025657:arsenic acid
keywords: Arsenate; Arsenite; Endocrine disruptor; Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis; Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis; Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis