Experimental acute arsenotoxicity in Balb/c mice: organic markers and splenic involvement Inmunotoxicidad por arsénico: evaluación in vivo

Abstract

Introduction: Arsenic (As) is an environmental toxic widely spread throughout the world. Various organs and tissues, in men and animals, are targets of its deleterious effects, including those of the immune system. Objective: To establish acute arsenotoxicity in tissues and target cells, by development of an in vivo methodology. Materials and methods: Balb/c mice (n>3) were intraperitoneally (ip) injected with 9,5 and 19 mg/kg/day of NaAsO2, or an equivalent volume of physiological solution (Control). After 30 minutes, the animals were sacrificed obtaining splenocytes and spleen, thymus, liver, kidneys and blood. The concentration of As, polyphenols and iron was determined in each sample, and oxidative markers [peroxides, advanced products of protein oxidation (PAOP) and free sulfhydryl groups (SH)] were evaluated. In splenocytes, cell viability and mitochondrial potential were further determined. Results: Exposure to NaAsO2, in acute dose, reduced the mitochondrial function of splenocytes, which resulted in cell death. Simultaneously, the presence of As confirmed in spleen samples and the resulting cytotoxicity occurred with a decrease in polyphenols, SH and an alteration in the content and distribution of iron, but did not increase the production of peroxides. Conclusion: These findings provide scientific evidence about the changes in biomarkers involved in the immunotoxicity of arsenic and also offer a methodology to test possible treatments against the deleterious action of this compound on the immune system.