In vitro toxicological characterisation of three arsenic-containing hydrocarbons

Arsenic-containing hydrocarbons are one group of fat-soluble organic arsenic compounds (arsenolipids) found in marine fish and other seafood. A risk assessment of arsenolipids is urgently needed, but has not been possible because of the total lack of toxicological data. In this study the cellular to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Metallomics 2014-01, Vol.6 (5), p.123-133
Main Authors: Meyer, S, Matissek, M, Müller, S. M, Taleshi, M. S, Ebert, F, Francesconi, K. A, Schwerdtle, T
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adenosine Triphosphate - metabolism
Arsenic - chemistry
Arsenic - pharmacokinetics
Arsenic - toxicity
Biological Availability
Caspase 3 - metabolism
Cell Line
DNA Damage
Humans
Hydrocarbons - chemistry
Hydrocarbons - pharmacokinetics
Hydrocarbons - toxicity
In Vitro Techniques
L-Lactate Dehydrogenase - metabolism
Tandem Mass Spectrometry
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Summary:Arsenic-containing hydrocarbons are one group of fat-soluble organic arsenic compounds (arsenolipids) found in marine fish and other seafood. A risk assessment of arsenolipids is urgently needed, but has not been possible because of the total lack of toxicological data. In this study the cellular toxicity of three arsenic-containing hydrocarbons was investigated in cultured human bladder (UROtsa) and liver (HepG2) cells. Cytotoxicity of the arsenic-containing hydrocarbons was comparable to that of arsenite, which was applied as the toxic reference arsenical. A large cellular accumulation of arsenic, as measured by ICP-MS/MS, was observed after incubation of both cell lines with the arsenolipids. Moreover, the toxic mode of action shown by the three arsenic-containing hydrocarbons seemed to differ from that observed for arsenite. Evidence suggests that the high cytotoxic potential of the lipophilic arsenicals results from a decrease in the cellular energy level. This first in vitro based risk assessment cannot exclude a risk to human health related to the presence of arsenolipids in seafood, and indicates the urgent need for further toxicity studies in experimental animals to fully assess this possible risk. Arsenic-containing hydrocarbons exert strong toxic effects in cultured human cells.
ISSN:1756-5901
1756-591X
DOI:10.1039/c4mt00061g