Abstract

Human fibroblasts (HFW) were 10-fold more susceptible than Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells to sodium arsenite. Comparison of cellular antioxidant enzyme activities showed that CHO-K1 cells contained 3- and 8-fold more glutathione-peroxidase and catalase activities, respectively, than HFW cells. Since vitamin E, methylamine, and benzyl alcohol could prevent, in part, the arsenite-induced killing of HFW cells, we suggest that arsenite can induce oxidative damage in HFW cells. We have also established arsenic-resistant cells, SA7 and CL3R, from CHO cells and from a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line (CL3), respectively. The arsenic resistance of SA7 cells was attributed mainly to elevation of glutathione S-transferase pi levels, and that of CL3R cells was possibly due to an increase in heme oxygenase activity. Since induction of heme oxygenase is a general response to oxidative stress, we suspect that the differential toxicity of arsenic to human and animal cells could be due to arsenic's more efficient induction of oxidative damage in human cells.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.