Arsenic Toxicity in Male Reproduction and Development

Kim, Yoon-Jae,Kim, Jong-Min The Korean Society of Developmental Biology 2015 발생과 생식 Vol.19 No.4

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid that exists ubiquitously in the environment, and affects global health problems due to its carcinogenicity. In most populations, the main source of arsenic exposure is the drinking water. In drinking water, chronic exposure to arsenic is associated with increased risks of various cancers including those of skin, lung, bladder, and liver, as well as numerous other non-cancer diseases including gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurologic and cognitive problems. Recent emerging evidences suggest that arsenic exposure affects the reproductive and developmental toxicity. Prenatal exposure to inorganic arsenic causes adverse pregnancy outcomes and children's health problems. Some epidemiological studies have reported that arsenic exposure induces premature delivery, spontaneous abortion, and stillbirth. In animal studies, inorganic arsenic also causes fetal malformation, growth retardation, and fetal death. These toxic effects depend on dose, route and gestation periods of arsenic exposure. In males, inorganic arsenic causes reproductive dysfunctions including reductions of the testis weights, accessory sex organs weights, and epididymal sperm counts. In addition, inorganic arsenic exposure also induces alterations of spermatogenesis, reductions of testosterone and gonadotrophins, and disruptions of steroidogenesis. However, the reproductive and developmental problems following arsenic exposure are poorly understood, and the molecular mechanism of arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity remains unclear. Thus, we further investigated several possible mechanisms underlying arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity.

Bacterial <i>aox</i> genotype from arsenic contaminated mine to adjacent coastal sediment: Evidences for potential biogeochemical arsenic oxidation

Chang, Jin-Soo,Lee, Ji-Hoon,Kim, In S. Elsevier 2011 Journal of hazardous materials Vol.193 No.-

<P><B>Highlights</B></P><P>► Bacterial <I>aox</I>B gene encoding arsenite oxidase was identified from As(III)-oxidizing cultures isolated from aerobic samples of the contaminated mines and adjacent coastal sediments. ► It was speculated that As(III)-oxidizing bacteria isolated from those highly arsenic-contaminated areas contributed the biogeochemical cycling of arsenic by transforming arsenic species and resulting in change of mobility. ► Further in situ biogeochemical and/or microbial ecological investigations would be needed to assess the phenomena in natural environment.</P> <P><B>Abstract</B></P><P>The potential biogeochemical redox activity of arsenic was investigated by examining bacterial arsenic (As) redox genes such as <I>aox</I>, <I>ars</I>, and <I>arr</I> in arsenic-contaminated abandoned mine area and adjacent coastal sediments. Consistent with aerobic sediment and water samples from the mine through coastal areas, bacterial genes involing arsenic(V) (arsenate, AsO<SUB>4</SUB><SUP>3−</SUP>) reduction such as <I>ars</I>C and <I>arr</I>A were identified only in a few samples, wheres bacterial <I>aox</I>B gene encoding arsenite oxidase which is a central role in arsenic(III) (AsO<SUB>2</SUB><SUP>−</SUP>) oxidation of <I>aox</I> operon. This study suggests that evaluation of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria including <I>aox</I> genotype may lead to a better understanding of molecular geomicrobiology in arsenic biogeochemistry, which can be applied to the bioremediation of arsenic contaminated mines along the coast of Gwangyang Bay. In this study, high concentrations of arsenic were observed in the mines and Gwangyang Bay and it was speculated that As(III)-oxidizing bacteria isolated from those highly arsenic-contaminated areas contributed the biogeochemical cycling of arsenic by transforming arsenic species and resulting in change of mobility, though further in situ biogeochemical and/or microbial ecological investigations are needed for confirming the phenomena in natural environment. <I>Acinetobacter junni</I> and <I>Marinobacter</I> sp. which were isolated in the contaminated area contained the <I>aox</I> genes and were able to oxidize As(III) to As(V), which is a more soluble form in oxic aqueous environments and apt to migrate from the mine to the coast. This might suggest a potential of a significant redox role of <I>aox</I> genes of arsenic-oxidizing bacteria in biogeochemical cycle of arsenic.</P>

Methylated Organic Metabolites of Arsenic and their Cardiovascular Toxicities

Ok-Nam Bae,Kyung-Min Lim,Ji-Yoon Noh,Keun-Young Kim,Eun-Kyung Lim,Jin-Ho Chung 한국독성학회 2008 Toxicological Research Vol.24 No.3

Recently, arsenic-toxicity has become the major focus of strenuous assessment and dynamic research from the academy and regulatory agency. To elucidate the cause and the mechanism underlying the serious adverse health effects from chronic ingestion of arsenic-contaminated drinking water, numerous studies have been directed on the investigation of arsenic-toxicity using various in vitro as well as in vivo systems. Neverthless, some questions for arsenic effects remain unexplained, reflecting the contribution of unknown factors to the manifestation of arsenic-toxicity. Interestingly, very recent studies on arsenic metabolites have discovered that trivalent methylated arsenicals show stronger cytotoxic and genotoxic potentials than inorganic arsenic or pentavalent metabolites, arguing that these metabolites could play a key role in arsenic-associated disorders. In this review, recent progress and literatures are summarized on the metabolism of trivalent methylated metabolites and their toxicity on body systems including cardiovascular system in an effort to provide an insight into the future research on arsenic-associated disorders.

식품 중 무기비소의 위해 분석

양승현,박지수,조민자,최훈 한국식품위생안전성학회 2016 한국식품위생안전성학회지 Vol.31 No.4

Arsenic and its compounds vary in their toxicity according to the chemical forms. Inorganic arsenic is more toxic and known as carcinogen. The provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 15 μg/kg b.w./week established by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA) has been withdrawn, while the EFSA panel suggested BMDL0.1 0.3~8 μg/kg b.w./day for cancers of the lung, skin and bladder, as well as skin lesions. Rice, seaweed and beverages are known as food being rich in inorganic arsenic. As(III) is the major form of inorganic arsenic in rice and anaerobic paddy soils, while most of inorganic arsenic in seaweed is present as As(V). The inorganic arsenic in food was extracted with solvent such as distilled water, methanol, nitric acid and so on in heat-assisted condition or at room temperature. Arsenic speciation analysis was based on ion-exchange chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography equipped with atomic absorption spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. However, there has been no harmonized and standardized method for inorganic arsenic analysis internationally. The inorganic arsenic exposure from food has been estimated to range of 0.13~0.7 μg/kg bw/day for European, American and Australian, and 0.22~5 μg/kg bw/day for Asian. The maximum level (ML) for inorganic arsenic in food has established by EU, China, Australia and New Zealand, but are under review in Korea. Until now, several studies have conducted for reduction of inorganic arsenic in food. Inorganic arsenic levels in rice and seaweed were reduced by more polishing and washing, boiling and washing, respectively. Further research for international harmonization of analytical method, monitoring and risk assessment will be needed to strengthen safety management of inorganic arsenic of foods in Korea.

Arsenic Toxicity in Male Reproduction and Development

Yoon-Jae Kim,Jong-Min Kim 한국발생생물학회 2015 발생과 생식 Vol.19 No.4

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid that exists ubiquitously in the environment, and affects global health problems due to its carcinogenicity. In most populations, the main source of arsenic exposure is the drinking water. In drinking water, chronic exposure to arsenic is associated with increased risks of various cancers including those of skin, lung, bladder, and liver, as well as numerous other non-cancer diseases including gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurologic and cognitive problems. Recent emerging evidences suggest that arsenic exposure affects the reproductive and developmental toxicity. Prenatal exposure to inorganic arsenic causes adverse pregnancy outcomes and children’s health problems. Some epidemiological studies have reported that arsenic exposure induces premature delivery, spontaneous abortion, and stillbirth. In animal studies, inorganic arsenic also causes fetal malformation, growth retardation, and fetal death. These toxic effects depend on dose, route and gestation periods of arsenic exposure. In males, inorganic arsenic causes reproductive dysfunctions including reductions of the testis weights, accessory sex organs weights, and epididymal sperm counts. In addition, inorganic arsenic exposure also induces alterations of spermatogenesis, reductions of testosterone and gonadotrophins, and disruptions of steroidogenesis. However, the reproductive and developmental problems following arsenic exposure are poorly understood, and the molecular mechanism of arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity remains unclear. Thus, we further investigated several possible mechanisms underlying arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity.

비소 중독

김양호,이지호,심창선,정경숙,Kim Yang Ho,Lee Ji Ho,Sim Chang Sun,Jeong Kyoung Sook 대한임상독성학회 2004 대한임상독성학회지 Vol.2 No.2

Arsenic poisoning has three types of poisoning. First, acute arsenic poisoning is usually caused by oral intake of large amount of arsenic compound with purpose of homicide or suicide. Second, chronic arsenic poisoning is caused by inhalation of arsenic in the occupational setting or by long-term oral intake of arsenic-contaminated well water. Third, arsine poisoning occurs acutely when impurities of arsenic in non-ferrous metal react with acid. Clinical manifestation of acute arsenic poisoning is mainly gastrointestinal symptoms and cardiovascular collapse. Those of chronic poisoning are skin disorder and cancer. Arsine poisoning shows massive intravascular hemolysis and hemoglobinuria with acute renal failure. Exposure evaluation is done by analysis of arsenic in urine, blood, hair and nail. Species analysis of arsenic is very important to evaluate inorganic arsenic acid and mono methyl arsenic acid (MMA) separated from dimethyl arsenic acid (DMA) and trimethyl arsenic acid (TMA) which originate from sea weed and sea food. Treatment with dimercaprol (BAL) is effective in acute arsenic poisoning only.

Arsenic Toxicity in Male Reproduction and Development

김윤재,김종민 한국발생생물학회 2015 발생과 생식 Vol.19 No.4

Arsenic is a toxic metalloid that exists ubiquitously in the environment, and affects global health problems due to its carcinogenicity. In most populations, the main source of arsenic exposure is the drinking water. In drinking water, chronic exposure to arsenic is associated with increased risks of various cancers including those of skin, lung, bladder, and liver, as well as numerous other non-cancer diseases including gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and neurologic and cognitive problems. Recent emerging evidences suggest that arsenic exposure affects the reproductive and developmental toxicity. Prenatal exposure to inorganic arsenic causes adverse pregnancy outcomes and children’s health problems. Some epidemiological studies have reported that arsenic exposure induces premature delivery, spontaneous abortion, and stillbirth. In animal studies, inorganic arsenic also causes fetal malformation, growth retardation, and fetal death. These toxic effects depend on dose, route and gestation periods of arsenic exposure. In males, inorganic arsenic causes reproductive dysfunctions including reductions of the testis weights, accessory sex organs weights, and epididymal sperm counts. In addition, inorganic arsenic exposure also induces alterations of spermatogenesis, reductions of testosterone and gonadotrophins, and disruptions of steroidogenesis. However, the reproductive and developmental problems following arsenic exposure are poorly understood, and the molecular mechanism of arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity remains unclear. Thus, we further investigated several possible mechanisms underlying arsenic-induced reproductive toxicity.

이화형비산염환원균의 특성

장용철,다까미자와 카즈히로,조훈,키쿠치 신타로 한국생물공학회 2012 KSBB Journal Vol.27 No.2

Although, microbial arsenic mobilization by dissimilatory arsenate-reducing bacteria (DARB) and the practical use to the removal technology of arsenic from contaminated soil are expected, most previous research mainly has been focused on the geochemical circulation of arsenic. Therefore, in this review we summarized the previously reported DARB to grasp the characteristic for bioremediation of arsenic. Evidence of microbial growth on arsenate is presented based on isolate analyses, after which a summary of the physiology of the following arsenaterespiring bacteria is provided: Chrysiogenes arsenatis strain BAL-1T, Sulfurospirillum barnesii, Desulfotomaculum strain Ben-RB, Desulfotomaculum auripigmentum strains OREX-4, GFAJ-1, Bacillus sp., Desulfitobacterium hafniense DCB-2T, strain SES-3, Citrobacter sp. (TSA-1 and NC-1),Sulfurospirillum arsenophilum sp. nov., Shewanella sp.,Chrysiogenes arsenatis BAL-lT, Deferribacter desulfuricans. Among the DARB, Citrobacter sp. NC-1 is superior to other dissimilatory arsenate-reducing bacteria with respect to arsenate reduction, particularly at high concentrations as high as 60 mM. A gram-negative anaerobic bacterium,Citrobacter sp. NC-1, which was isolated from arsenic contaminated soil, can grow on glucose as an electron donor and arsenate as an electron acceptor. Strain NC-1rapidly reduced arsenate at 5 mM to arsenite with concomitant cell growth, indicating that arsenate can act as the terminal electron acceptor for anaerobic respiration (dissimilatory arsenate reduction). To characterize the reductase systems in strain NC-1, arsenate and nitrate reduction activities were investigated with washed-cell suspensions and crude cell extracts from cells grown on arsenate or nitrate. These reductase activities were induced individually by the two electron acceptors. Tungstate,which is a typical inhibitory antagonist of molybdenum containing dissimilatory reductases, strongly inhibited the reduction of arsenate and nitrate in anaerobic growth cultures. These results suggest that strain NC-1 catalyzes the reduction of arsenate and nitrate by distinct terminal reductases containing a molybdenum cofactor. This may be advantageous during bioremediation processes where both contaminants are present. Moreover, a brief explanation of arsenic extraction from a model soil artificially contaminated with As (V) using a novel DARB (Citrobacter sp. NC-1)is given in this article. We conclude with a discussion of the importance of microbial arsenate reduction in the environment. The successful application and use of DARB should facilitate the effective bioremediation of arsenic contaminated sites. Although, microbial arsenic mobilization by dissimilatory arsenate-reducing bacteria (DARB) and the practical use to the removal technology of arsenic from contaminated soil are expected, most previous research mainly has been focused on the geochemical circulation of arsenic. Therefore, in this review we summarized the previously reported DARB to grasp the characteristic for bioremediation of arsenic. Evidence of microbial growth on arsenate is presented based on isolate analyses, after which a summary of the physiology of the following arsenaterespiring bacteria is provided: Chrysiogenes arsenatis strain BAL-1T, Sulfurospirillum barnesii, Desulfotomaculum strain Ben-RB, Desulfotomaculum auripigmentum strains OREX-4, GFAJ-1, Bacillus sp., Desulfitobacterium hafniense DCB-2T, strain SES-3, Citrobacter sp. (TSA-1 and NC-1),Sulfurospirillum arsenophilum sp. nov., Shewanella sp.,Chrysiogenes arsenatis BAL-lT, Deferribacter desulfuricans. Among the DARB, Citrobacter sp. NC-1 is superior to other dissimilatory arsenate-reducing bacteria with respect to arsenate reduction, particularly at high concentrations as high as 60 mM. A gram-negative anaerobic bacterium,Citrobacter sp. NC-1, which was isolated from arsenic contaminated soil, can grow on glucose as an electron donor and arsenate as an electron acceptor. Strain NC-1rapidly reduced arsenate at 5 mM to arsenite with concomitant cell growth, indicating that arsenate can act as the terminal electron acceptor for anaerobic respiration (dissimilatory arsenate reduction). To characterize the reductase systems in strain NC-1, arsenate and nitrate reduction activities were investigated with washed-cell suspensions and crude cell extracts from cells grown on arsenate or nitrate. These reductase activities were induced individually by the two electron acceptors. Tungstate,which is a typical inhibitory antagonist of molybdenum containing dissimilatory reductases, strongly inhibited the reduction of arsenate and nitrate in anaerobic growth cultures. These results suggest that strain NC-1 catalyzes the reduction of arsenate and nitrate by distinct terminal reductases containing a molybdenum cofactor. This may be advantageous during bioremediation processes where both contaminants are present. Moreover, a brief explanation of arsenic extraction from a model soil artificially contaminated with As (V) using a novel DARB (Citrobacter sp. NC-1)is given in this article. We conclude with a discussion of the importance of microbial arsenate reduction in the environment. The successful application and use of DARB should facilitate the effective bioremediation of arsenic contaminated sites.

Assessment of Arsenic Exposure by Measurement of Urinary Speciated Inorganic Arsenic Metabolites in Workers in a Semiconductor Manufacturing Plant

Kiwhan Byun,Yong Lim Won,Yang In Hwang,Dong-Hee Koh,Hosub Im,Eun-A Kim 대한직업환경의학회 2013 대한직업환경의학회지 Vol.25 No.-

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the exposure to arsenic in preventive maintenance (PM) engineers in a semiconductor industry by detecting speciated inorganic arsenic metabolites in the urine. Methods: The exposed group included 8 PM engineers from the clean process area and 13 PM engineers from the ion implantation process area; the non-exposed group consisted of 14 office workers from another company who were not occupationally exposed to arsenic. A spot urine specimen was collected from each participant for the detection and measurement of speciated inorganic arsenic metabolites. Metabolites were separated by high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma spectrometry-mass spectrometry. Results: Urinary arsenic metabolite concentrations were 1.73 g/L, 0.76 g/L, 3.45 g/L, 43.65 g/L, and 51.32 g/L for trivalent arsenic (As<SUP>3+</SUP>), pentavalent arsenic (As<SUP>5+</SUP>), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), and total inorganic arsenic metabolites (As<SUP>3+</SUP> + As<SUP>5+</SUP> + MMA + DMA), respectively, in clean process PM engineers. In ion implantation process PM engineers, the concentrations were 1.74 g/L, 0.39 g/L, 3.08 g/L, 23.17 g/L, 28.92 g/L for As<SUP>3+</SUP>, As<SUP>5+</SUP>, MMA, DMA, and total inorganic arsenic metabolites, respectively. Levels of urinary As<SUP>3+</SUP>, As<SUP>5+</SUP>, MMA, and total inorganic arsenic metabolites in clean process PM engineers were significantly higher than that in the nonexposed group. Urinary As<SUP>3+</SUP> and As<SUP>5+</SUP> levels in ion implantation process PM engineers were significantly higher than that in non-exposed group. Conclusion: Levels of urinary arsenic metabolites in PM engineers from the clean process and ion implantation process areas were higher than that in office workers. For a complete assessment of arsenic exposure in the semiconductor industry, further studies are needed.

Synergistic effects of the combination of oxalate and ascorbate on arsenic extraction from contaminated soils

Lee, Jae-Cheol,Kim, Eun Jung,Baek, Kitae Elsevier 2017 CHEMOSPHERE - Vol.168 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>Arsenic is often associated with iron oxides in soils due to its high affinity with iron oxides and the abundance of iron oxides in the environment. Dissolution of iron oxides can subsequently release arsenic associated with them into the environment, which results in the increase of arsenic mobility in the soil environment. In this study, arsenic extraction from soils via the dissolution of iron oxides was investigated using oxalate, ascorbate, and their combination in order to effectively remediate arsenic-contaminated soils. Oxalate mainly extracted iron from soils via a ligand-promoted reaction, while ascorbate extracted iron mainly via a reductive reaction. Arsenic extractions from soils by oxalate and ascorbate were shown to behave similarly to iron extractions, indicating the concurrent release of arsenic adsorbed on iron oxides upon the dissolution of iron oxides. The combination of oxalate and ascorbate greatly increased arsenic extraction, indicating the synergistic effects of the combination of oxalate and ascorbate on iron and arsenic extraction from soils. Oxalate and ascorbate are naturally-occurring organic reagents that have chelating and reducing capacity. Therefore, the use of oxalate and ascorbate is environmentally friendly and effective for the remediation of arsenic-contaminated soils.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Arsenic extraction from soils via the dissolution of iron oxides was investigated. </LI> <LI> Oxalate extracted arsenic and iron from soils via ligand-promoted reaction. </LI> <LI> Ascorbate extracted arsenic and iron from soils via reductive reaction. </LI> <LI> Synergistic reaction greatly enhanced arsenic extraction from soils. </LI> </UL> </P>