Cancer is one of the most prevalent groups of disorders in the population in many countries worldwide. Epidemiologic studies have indicated that most human cancers are originally caused by environmental exposure to genotoxic agents (Doll et al., 1981). With respect to global human health hazard, arsenic (As) is one of the most important environmental single substance toxicants. It is a metalloid element and exists in organic and inorganic forms (iAs). Later is considered as a class I human carcinogen (IARC, 2004, 2012) and is associated with adverse effects dependent on dose, duration and exposure frequency. In particular chronic exposure to iAs is associated to an increased risk of skin, bladder, lung, kidney cancers, as well as …show more content…
The GSTs family of enzymes (i.e. GSTP1, GSTZ1, GSTM1, and GSTT1) is involved in arsenic metabolism and plays a role in the cellular response mechanism against oxidative stress. Arsenate is reduced to arsenite by two enzymes from the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) family: GSTO1 (Zakharyan et al., 2001) and GSTO2 (Whitbread et al., 2003) that use glutathione (GSH) as a reducing agent (Buchet and Lauwerys 1987) (Figure 1.2.). Arsenite is actively transported inside the cell by aquaporin’s (AQP) cell membrane proteins (Liu et al., 2002) and is then modified by methyltransferases (Marafante and Vahter, 1984) using S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM) as a methyl donor (Buchet and Lauwerys, 1985) to produce monomethylarsonous acid (MMA (III)) and dimethylarsinous acid (DMA (III)). Both become further oxidized to monomethylarsonic acid (MMA (V)) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA (V)): predominant metabolites in urine (Aphosian and Aphosian, 2006).There are different biomarkers for assessing the genotoxicity. Biomarkers of effects are the quantifiable changes that an individual endures, which indicates an exposure to a compound and may indicate a resulting health effect. Genotoxicity endpoints are followed directly in exposed humans. The most frequently used endpoints includes chromosome aberrations, micronuclei, sister
substances is one of the most clearly demonstrated links between environmental exposures and cancer. The good news is the bladder cancer is probably a completely preventable disease, if exposure to the carcinogenic substances is limited or eradicated.
Arsenic is rapidly cleared from the body and often is undetectable after only a few hours. However, continuous exposure to arsenic can result in severe poisoning and multiple organ involvement. Arsenic is one of the most common pollutants and contamination of food and water is widespread and consumption is significant. Recent studies have linked a correlation between dermatofibromas and arsenic. One study suggested that the combination of dermatofibromas and arsenic caused the development of breast cancer. However, the exact cause in development of dermatofibroma is unknown but damage to the endothelial cells is commonly caused by arsenic exposure. Instead of the arsenic being excreted in eccrine glands, arsenic becomes deposited in a concentrated area of the body and built over a period of time causes the growth and development of
While nitrates are one of the major contaminants in the area, San Joaquin Valley residents face drinking water pollution from many other sources including arsenic, coliform bacteria, and pesticides. Arsenic is a naturally occurring semi-metal element that is found in different types of rocks. While arsenic primarily occurs naturally, human activities impact the amount of arsenic in groundwater. Arsenic is not only toxic at high concentrations, but also harmful after prolonged exposure at moderately elevated levels. California recognizes arsenic as a human carcinogen and believes prolonged exposure to the element to be associated with various cancers, including skin, bladder, kidney, lung, and liver cancers. A study in Maine found a connection between water contaminated
There is a higher likelihood of being exposed to arsenic via food ingestion compared to inhaling arsenic-contaminated air or drinking arsenic-contaminated water. Once the arsenic has been absorbed through the lungs or gastrointestinal tract, the arsenic is distributed through the body via the bloodstream. For metabolism, in the blood stream, the arsenic becomes attached to the red cells, white cells, and cells that can convert arsenate to arsenite. Some of those arsenites are taken to the liver, where they are methylated by the enzymatic transfer of the methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and the arsenite are converted into methyl arsonate (MMA V) and dimethyl arsenate (DMA V). Those metabolites, methyl arsonate and dimethyl arsenate, are then ready to be excreted. If the liver is at its limit of methylation, excess arsenites are stored in the body’s soft tissues. Arsenic and its many variations (ie. MMA V, DMA V, arsenate, and arsenite) are excreted through the kidneys. There is a possibility that two to four weeks after being exposed to arsenic, some of the arsenic can still be found in the human’s hair, nails, skin, and bones and teeth (ATSDR,
Mixed contamination of benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) is a major environmental and human health concern. The mixture toxicity data on these co-contaminants are important for their risk assessment. In this study, we have determined the mixture toxicity of As, Cd and Pb and B[a]P with As, Cd or Pb in HepG2 cells. The binary mixtures of Cd + As, Cd + Pb and As + Pb and B[a]P + metals (B[a]P + As, B[a]P + Cd and B[a]P + Pb) were evaluated for their interaction on the cytotoxicity using the MTS assay. A full factorial design (4 × 5) was used to determine the interaction toxicity and all the six mixtures showed significant interaction on the cytotoxicity. We further investigated the role of oxidative stress (reactive
For this cohort, the study uses 524 children ranging in ages from 1, 12, and 20-40 months (Rodrigues et al, 2016). Their study examines the blood lead, arsenic, and manganese, but for our purposes we will focus on arsenic concentration. The study stated that the increased water arsenic levels were associated with a decrease in cognitive scores based on the above average arsenic concentration (Rodrigues et al, 2016). These women and children were recruited from areas the scientists knew the water was contaminated with arsenic. The areas included, Sirajdikhan and Pabna regions between the years 2008 and 2011. Tests to examine their cognitive level ranged from language function, motor skills, verbal abilities, and long-term memory. These tests showed that there was a relation between arsenic and lower neurodevelopment, with Pabna having higher levels than Sirajdikhan (Rodrigues et al,
The available toxicity data for the mixtures of B[a]P and metals are very limited and due to this, the human health risk of these mixed contaminants is assessed on their individual toxicity. Few of the reported toxicity data for mixtures of As, Cd and Pb are limited to their binary combinations and in most cases, the data are inconsistent for same endpoints from study to study and less relevant in terms of endpoints compared to their individual toxicity data.18 In the literature, only two reports were available for toxicity of metal mixtures beyond their binary combinations. 19, 20 In the case of B[a]P and metal mixtures, few studies reported the effect of As and Cd on genotoxicity and metabolism of B[a]P.21-24 To the best of our knowledge, there is no detailed study available with respect to assessment of multi-component mixture toxicity of B[a]P and
Previous research has pointed out that the mechanism by which arsenic exerts its toxic effect is through impairment of cellular respiration by the inhibition of various mitochondrial enzymes, and the uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation. Most toxicity of arsenic results from its ability to interact with sulphydryl groups of proteins and enzymes, and to substitute phosphorous in a variety of biochemical reactions
One of the challenges surrounding scholarly work on toxicity and cancer is related to the number of variables that may also contribute to cellular death. In addition, cancers from environmental toxicity may take years or decades to fully develop, and some types of toxicity mimic other afflictions. One such example is in the maternal transfer of heavy metals during fetal development that
The primary sources for arsenic in the general population include contaminated water, food, and soil. The two forms of inorganic arsenic include: trivalent arsenic (As III) and pentavalent arsenic (As V). The most common inorganic form of arsenic in the environment is pentavalent arsenic. When comparing toxicity, trivalent arsenic is approximately 2-10 times more toxic pentavalent arsenic. Arsenic poisoning produces effects on multiple body systems with the inorganic forms being highly toxic. Both trivalent arsenic and pentavalent arsenic have different mechanisms of action, which determines the effects they have on cells.
In the article, Arsenic: The Health Benefits by Nathan Siegel, he explains a study that had been done that suggests that arsenic might be a key way to treat breast cancer. Through a longitudinal study on women from a region of Northern Chile, they found that “rates of breast cancer dropped by up to 70 percent compared with another region whose water had normal arsenic concentrations” (Siegel 2015). In most literature and instances of arsenic usage, it has been characterized as a dangerous element, but there’s hope for positive usage as well. Siegel highlights similar promise from arsenic, stating that “It won’t be the first time arsenic has been deemed cancer-killing, not cancerous” (Siegel 2015). Because of the potential benefits stemming from this research, arsenic trioxide has begun to be used to treat other types of disease. At Stanford University, Philip Beachy has utilized the substance to treat basal cell carcinoma and medulloblastoma within animals. However, there is still uncertainty if the presence of arsenic in Chile and the other instances of arsenic are the same, but they are optimistic about this research. Even though this study presents more benefits that arsenic can be applied to, the first instances of success with arsenic comes from its application to
A massive epidemic emerges as the water on which millions of people rely on is exposed to high levels of arsenic, a silent killer. Depending on whether carbon is involved, the arsenic ion combines with other elements to form either an organic compound or an inorganic compound, which is typically found in the contaminated waters (“ARSENIC...WebMD”). When comparing the two forms, the inorganic compound is more toxic than the organic compound (“Arsenic”). According to the regulations of the US Environmental Protection agency, if water exceeds 10 micrograms of arsenic per liter then it should not be consumed. A prolonged consumption of water containing high levels of inorganic arsenic is linked to various health issues such as skin damage, problems with the circulatory system, several types
In order to remove arsenic, we need to detect it first. However, finding arsenic may not be sufficient because arsenic cannot be removed from bodies once it is absorbed. That is why we need a reliable and continuous detection system that monitors arsenic 24/7 all over the world. Currently companies have to send specialists every time they monitor contaminations, and there is no continuous monitoring
Arsenic is a poison that interferes with ATP production. It is a metalloid that is found in our environment. Arsenic is toxic if inhaled and must be combined with another source for it to react and affect something. It comes in various forms such as crystalline, powder, vitreous and amorphous. Arsenic can be found in groundwater that people use for drinking. Groundwater contamination is usually occurring from a leak due to industrial exposure.
These people need an affordable detection system and devices to remove arsenic. However, there are not 100% reliable and accurate solutions that can be a