Chronic study of arsenic trioxide-induced hepatotoxicity in relation to arsenic liver accumulation in rats

Abstract

This study measured activities of serum enzymes alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), markers of liver function in albino rats after continuous ingestion of arsenic trioxide (As₂0₃). For the study, treated animals were given AS₂O₃ (0.2 mg/100 g/day) orally for 180 days. After the completion of treatment, the blood was collected for the estimation of serum biochemical markers. The results obtained were compared with control group. Data showed a significant increase in SGOT and SGPT activity after 60 days of As₂0₃ administration. The level of alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase increased significantly after 90 and 120 days, respectively. Since the elevation of these serum enzymes is an indicator of hepatic damage, data indicate that As₂O₃ produces hepatotoxicity. When taken continuously, arsenic was also deposited in liver and blood and affected the enzymatic pathways. Total accumulated arsenic was determined by HG-AAS at 193.7 nm.

Keywords:

• arsenic trioxide
• albino rat
• hepatic toxicity
• accumulation
• HG-AAS

Acknowledgments

This work is carried out at Dr Hari Singh Gour University, Sagar (MP) India. The corresponding author gratefully acknowledges and expresses sincere thanks to University Grants Commission, MHRD, GOI, New Delhi for providing financial support for the study and the awarding research fellowship (No. R/Sch/UGC/JRF/4676; UGC Ref: 344/NET-DEC, 98).