Sodium Arsenate Research Articles

The Pho4 transcription factor mediates the response to arsenate and arsenite in Candida albicans.

Arsenate (As (V)) is the dominant form of the toxic metalloid arsenic (As). Microorganisms have consequently developed mechanisms to detoxify and tolerate this kind of compounds. In the present work, we have explored the arsenate sensing and signaling mechanisms in the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans. Although mutants impaired in the Hog1 or Mkc1-mediated pathways did not show significant sensitivity to this compound, both Hog1 and Mkc1 became phosphorylated upon addition of sodium arsenate to growing cells. Hog1 phosphorylation upon arsenate challenge was shown to be Ssk1-dependent. A screening designed for the identification of transcription factors involved in the arsenate response identified Pho4, a transcription factor of the myc-family, as pho4 mutants were susceptible to As (V). The expression of PHO4 was shortly induced in the presence of sodium arsenate in a Hog1-independent manner. Pho4 level affects Hog1 phosphorylation upon As (V) challenge, suggesting an indirect relationship between Pho4 activity and signaling in C. albicans. Pho4 also mediates the response to arsenite as revealed by the fact that pho4 defective mutants are sensitive to arsenite and Pho4 becomes phosphorylated upon sodium arsenite addition. Arsenite also triggers Hog1 phosphorylation by a process that is, in this case, independent of the Ssk1 kinase. These results indicate that the HOG pathway mediates the response to arsenate and arsenite in C. albicans and that the Pho4 transcription factor can differentiate among As (III), As (V) and Pi, triggering presumably specific responses.

An alternate pathway of arsenate resistance in E. coli mediated by the glutathione S-transferase GstB.

Microbial arsenate resistance is known to be conferred by specialized oxidoreductase enzymes termed arsenate reductases. We carried out a genetic selection on media supplemented with sodium arsenate for multicopy genes that can confer growth to E. coli mutant cells lacking the gene for arsenate reductase (E. coli ΔarsC). We found that overexpression of glutathione S-transferase B (GstB) complemented the ΔarsC allele and conferred growth on media containing up to 5 mM sodium arsenate. Interestingly, unlike wild type E. coli arsenate reductase, arsenate resistance via GstB was not dependent on reducing equivalents provided by glutaredoxins or a catalytic cysteine residue. Instead, two arginine residues, which presumably coordinate the arsenate substrate within the electrophilic binding site of GstB, were found to be critical for transferase activity. We provide biochemical evidence that GstB acts to directly reduce arsenate to arsenite with reduced glutathione (GSH) as the electron donor. Our results reveal a pathway for the detoxification of arsenate in bacteria that hinges on a previously undescribed function of a bacterial glutathione S-transferase.

Two Lactococcus lactis thioredoxin paralogues play different roles in responses to arsenate and oxidative stress.

Thioredoxin (Trx) maintains intracellular thiol groups in a reduced state and is involved in a wide range of cellular processes, including ribonucleotide reduction, sulphur assimilation, oxidative stress responses and arsenate detoxification. The industrially important lactic acid bacterium Lactococcus lactis contains two Trxs. TrxA is similar to the well-characterized Trx homologue from Escherichia coli and contains the common WCGPC active site motif, while TrxD is atypical and contains an aspartate residue in the active site (WCGDC). To elucidate the physiological roles of the two Trx paralogues, deletion mutants ΔtrxA, ΔtrxD and ΔtrxAΔtrxD were constructed. In general, the ΔtrxAΔtrxD strain was significantly more sensitive than either of the ΔtrxA and ΔtrxD mutants. Upon exposure to oxidative stress, growth of the ΔtrxA strain was diminished while that of the ΔtrxD mutant was similar to the wild-type. The lack of TrxA also appears to impair methionine sulphoxide reduction. Both ΔtrxA and ΔtrxD strains displayed growth inhibition after treatment with sodium arsenate and tellurite as compared with the wild-type, suggesting partially overlapping functions of TrxA and TrxD. Overall the phenotype of the ΔtrxA mutant matches established functions of WCGPC-type Trx while TrxD appears to play a more restricted role in stress resistance of Lac. lactis.

Isolation and Identification of Arsenic Resistant Providencia rettgeri (KDM3) from Industrial Effluent Contaminated Soil and Studies on its Arsenic Resistance Mechanisma

A novel strain of Providencia rettgeri was isolated from metal contaminated industrial soil in Mumbai and was identified and characterized. This isolate could survive in a medium containing up to 10,000 μg mL-1 of arsenate (133.3 mM sodium arsenate). Growth parameter studies reveled that only at 5000 and 10000 μg mL-1 arsenic growth was retarded as compared to control cells. TEM studies indicated no major morphological changes or damages when cells were grown in presence of 10,000 μg mL-1 of arsenate. Arsenic treated cells as compared to untreated cells showed over expression of a protein, arsenical pump driving ATPase identified by MALDI TOF-Mass Spectrometry. Arsenate, once taken inside the cells, was presumably reduced to arsenite and further extruded out of the cells. The arsenic extrusion from the cells resulted in reduced accumulation of arsenic inside the cells as confirmed by TEMEDX and XPS analysis. The high resistance to arsenic by Providencia rettgeri was found to be plasmid mediated. Plasmid cured cells were sensitive to arsenic stress and could not grow in arsenic containing medium. Reduction of arsenate (V) to arsenite (III) by the present bacterial strain can contribute to mobility and bioavailability of arsenic in the soils. This is the first report of such high arsenic tolerance in Providencia sp. and it may have a very high potential for incorporating in an arsenic bioremediation strategy.

Impact of Inorganic Arsenicals on Vegetative Growth of Two Pakistani Origins Sunflower Cultivars

Inorganic arsenicals impact on vegetative growth of two sunflower (Helianthus annuusL.) cultivars (FH-385 as Hybrid 1 and FH-405 as Hybrid 2) was monitored. Various levels of two different sodium salts of arsenic, namely, sodium arsenate (Na2HAsO4·7H2O) as source of As5+and sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) as source of As3+, were used to evaluate the effect of arsenic on plant water relation parameters. Significant stress effects were found when arsenic was higher in concentrations (>60 mg/kg soil of both salts) as compared to control plants. Genotype FH-405 showed higher levels for shoot and root length, water contents, number of leaves, and leaf area, which indicates well adaptation of this cultivar in arsenic contaminated environment. T5 (100 mg/kg) of both salts showed notable stressful impacts as compared to low arsenic concentrations (20, 40 mg/kg) and especially control plants in case of all morphophysiological parameters of sunflower cultivars.

Arsenic Distribution in Green Bean Yield Irrigated by Waste Water

The objective of the study is to investigate the effect of different arsenic concentrations on some physiological parameters of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) seedlings, grown in sand with nutrient solution in a climatic box was treated with 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 ppm Arsenic in the form sodium arsenate Na3AsO4 (pH 5.5). After 3 months of As treatment, the various growth parameters as well as changes in leaf gas-exchange, water potential, chlorophyll and protein contents, peroxidase activity and lipid peroxidation in roots was recorded. Results clearly show that with increase in arsenic concentration growth activities of bean plant suppress.

Synthesis and Crystal Structure of Sodium Arsenate Oxyhydroxide: Na4(AsO4)OH

Single crystals of Na4(AsO4)OH were grown using the hydroflux method and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Na4(AsO4)OH crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma with a = 8.9467(11) A, b = 7.3854(9) A, and c = 8.2395(10) A. The moisture sensitive material exhibits a three-dimensional crystal structure consisting of isolated AsO4 3− tetrahedra with the charge balance maintained by Na+ and OH−. The asymmetric unit consists of one arsenic atom, three sodium atoms, four oxygen atoms, and one hydroxyl hydrogen atom. Arsenic, sodium, and oxygen atoms, as well as the hydroxyl hydrogen, are located on mirror planes; sodium is located on an inversion center. The synthesis and crystal structure are reported for Na4(AsO4)OH

토양 비소 오염원의 종류가 봉의꼬리의 생육 및 비소 축적에 미치는 영향

Abstract - This study was carried out to analyze the effect of arsenic types on growth and arsenic accumulation ability of Pteris multifida . Among arsenic pollution sources, Sodium arsenate, Calcium arsenate, Sodium arsenite and Potassium arsenite were treated in horticultural compost contaminated with 500 ㎎·kg -1 . P. multifida was cultivated for 12 weeks. The results of study, Calcium arsenate treatment showed slightly decreased growth of P. multifida . But, growth of P. multifida cultivated in the remaining arsenic treatment was similar to untreated control plot. With only short-term cultivation of 4 weeks, aerial p art of P. multifida in Sodium arsenate treatment showed high arsenic accumulation of 2,289.5 ㎎·kg -1 DW. The arsenic accumulation (2,956.0 ㎎·kg -1 DW) was the highest at 12 week. On the other hand, underground part showed the highest arsenic accumulation in Potassium arsenite treatment (2,470.2 ㎎·kg -1 DW) and Calcium arsenate treatment accumulated 1,060.7 ㎎·kg -1

Paraoxonase 1 activity in subchronic low‐level inorganic arsenic exposure through drinking water

Epidemiological evidences indicate close association between inorganic arsenic exposure via drinking water and cardiovascular diseases. While the exact mechanism of this arsenic-mediated increase in cardiovascular risk factors remains enigmatic, epidemiological studies indicate a role for paraoxonase 1 (PON1) in cardiovascular diseases. To investigate the association between inorganic arsenic exposure and cardiovascular diseases, rats were exposed to sodium arsenite (trivalent; 50, 100, and 150 ppm As) and sodium arsenate (pentavalent; 100, 150, and 200 ppm As) in their drinking water for 12 weeks. PON1 activity towards paraoxon (PONase) and phenylacetate (AREase) in plasma, lipoproteins, hepatic, and brain microsomal fractions were determined. Inhibition of PONase and AREase in plasma and HDL characterized the effects of the two arsenicals. While the trivalent arsenite inhibited PONase by 33% (plasma) and 46% (HDL), respectively, the pentavalent arsenate inhibited the enzyme by 41 and 34%, respectively. AREase activity was inhibited by 52 and 48% by arsenite, whereas the inhibition amounted to 72 and 67%, respectively by arsenate. The pattern of inhibition in plasma and HDL indicates that arsenite induced a dose-dependent inhibition of PONase whereas arsenate induced a dose-dependent inhibition of AREase. In the VLDL + LDL, arsenate inhibited PONase and AREase while arsenite inhibited PONase. In the hepatic and brain microsomal fractions, only the PONase enzyme was inhibited by the two arsenicals. The inhibition was more pronounced in the hepatic microsomes where a 70% inhibition was observed at the highest dose of pentavalent arsenic. Microsomal cholesterol was increased by the two arsenicals resulting in increased cholesterol/phospholipid ratios. Our findings indicate that decreased PON1 activity observed in arsenic exposure may be an incipient biochemical event in the cardiovascular effects of arsenic. Modulation of PON1 activity by arsenic may also be mediated through changes in membrane fluidity brought about by changes in the concentration of cholesterol in the microsomes.

Sodium arsenate induce changes in fatty acids profiles and oxidative damage in kidney of rats

Six groups of rats (n = 10 per group) were exposed to 1 and 10 mg/l of sodium arsenate for 45 and 90 days. Kidneys from treated groups exposed to arsenic showed higher levels of trans isomers of oleic and linoleic acids as trans C181n-9, trans C18:1n-11, and trans C18:2n-6 isomers. However, a significant decrease in eicosenoic (C20:1n-9) and arachidonic (C20:4n-6) acids were observed in treated rats. Moreover, the "Δ5 desaturase index" and the saturated/polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio were increased. There was a significant increase in the level of malondialdehyde at 10 mg/l of treatment and in the amount of conjugated dienes after 90 days (p < 0.05). Significant kidney damage was observed at 10 mg/l by increase of plasma marker enzymes. Histological studies on the ultrastructure changes of kidney supported the toxic effect of arsenate exposure. Arsenate intoxication activates significantly the superoxide dismutase at 10 mg/l for 90 days, whereas the catalase activity was markedly inhibited in all treated groups (p < 0.05). In addition, glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly increased at 45 days and dramatically declined after 90 days at 10 mg/l (p < 0.05). A significant increase in the level of glutathione was marked for the groups treated for 45 and 90 days at 1 mg/l followed by a significant decrease for rats exposed to 10 mg/l for 90 days. An increase in the level of protein carbonyl was observed in all treated groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study provides evidence for a direct effect of arsenate on fatty acid (FA) metabolism which concerns the synthesis pathway of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and leads to an increase in the trans FAs isomers. Therefore, FA-induced arsenate kidney damage could contribute to trigger kidney cancer.

Mitigation approach of arsenic toxicity in chickpea grown in arsenic amended soil with arsenic tolerant plant growth promoting Acinetobacter sp.

The study was undertaken with the aim of testing the effects of isolated bacterial strain nbri05 from arsenic contaminated site of West Bengal. Firstly, isolated strain was characterized by morphological, biochemical and functional characterization and was able to grow at higher concentration of arsenic ranging up to 50,000mgl−1 of As(V) (arsenate) and 1500mgl−1 of As(III) (arsenite) concentration. After complete characterization, pot experiment was conducted to scrutinize the role of isolated bacterium nbri05 on arsenic uptake, plant growth, biomass and some biochemical responses of chickpea (Cicer aritenum) were grown in arsenic treated soil amended with 10mgkg−1 of sodium arsenate. It was observed that nbri05 combat the As toxicity in plants by reducing the As uptake in shoot part and significantly increases plant growth and yield of the chickpea plant in comparison to only arsenic treated plant. Thus, these results clearly show that the bacterium nbri05 owing to its intrinsic abilities of plant growth promotion and accumulates more As in root of the plant may be accounted as a new bacterium for phytostabilization in chickpea.

Extraction of arsenic from arsenic-containing cobalt and nickel slag and preparation of arsenic-bearing compounds

The arsenic extraction from the arsenic-containing cobalt and nickel slag, which came from the purification process of zinc sulfate solution in a zinc smelting factory, was investigated. The alkaline leaching method was proposed according to the mode of occurrence of arsenic in the slag and its amphoteric characteristic. The leaching experiments were conducted in the alkaline aqueous medium, with bubbling of oxygen into the solution, and the optimal conditions for leaching arsenic were determined. The results showed that the extraction rate of arsenic was maximized at 99.10% under the optimal conditions of temperature 140 °C, NaOH concentration 150 g/L, oxygen partial pressure 0.5 MPa, and a liquid-to-solid ratio 5:1. Based on the solubilities of As2O5, ZnO and PbO in NaOH solution at 25 °C, a method for the separation of As in the form of sodium arsenate salt from the arsenic-rich leachate via cooling crystallization was established, and the reaction medium could be fully recycled. The crystallization rate was confirmed to reach 88.9% (calculated on the basis of Na3AsO4) upon a direct cooling of the hot leachate down to room temperature. On the basis of redox potentials, the sodium arsenate solution could be further reduced by sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas to arsenite, at a reduction yield of 92% under the suitable conditions. Arsenic trioxide with regular octahedron shape could be prepared successfully from the reduced solution, and further recycled to the purification process to purify the zinc sulfate solution. Also, sodium arsenite solution obtained after the reduction of arsenate could be directly used to purify the zinc sulfate solution. Therefore, the technical scheme of alkaline leaching with pressured oxygen, cooling crystallization, arsenate reduction by SO2 gas, and arsenic trioxide preparation, provides an attractive approach to realize the resource utilization of arsenic-containing cobalt and nickel slag.

Bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of arsenic are influenced by the presence of cadmium

Mine wastes contain a mixture of metals and metalloids including arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd). This study investigated the potential interaction between As and Cd in a rat model. Sprague Dawley rats were dosed with sodium arsenate via the oral (0, 0.5, 5 and 15mg As kg−1 b.w.) or intravenous (0.5mg As kg−1 b.w.) route to establish its dose-response relationship in terms of bioavailability and pharmacokinetic parameters. Bioavailability of As reduced when the dose of As increased. For the interaction study a fixed oral dose of As at 2.5mg As kg−1 b.w. solo and in combination with Cd as cadmium chloride at 3 or 6mg Cd kg−1 b.w. were administered to rats. Bioavailability of As was decreased by 34–35% in the presence of Cd. Elimination half-life of As was also decreased from 69 days in the As solo group to 13–22days in the presence of 3 and 6mg Cd kg−1 b.w. respectively. Decreased urinary excretion of As and tissue accumulation were also observed. A probable explanation for these findings is that As co-administration with Cd could have resulted in the formation of less soluble cadmium-arsenic complexes in the guts of the rats. Nevertheless, such an interaction between As and Cd could only explained about 44–48% of the variation when mine waste materials containing both of these elements were administered to rats. This suggests other physical properties and chemical compound formation could contribute to the observed bioavailability of arsenic in complex environmental samples.

Effect of ultrasound on sodium arsenate induction time and crystallization property during solution crystallization processes

The effect of ultrasound vibrations on the cooling crystallization of sodium arsenate in supersaturated solutions was investigated. In particular, the effects of ultrasound vibrations on induction time and crystal size distribution were studied using a laser-based apparatus with relative supersaturation ranging from 1.3 to 1.8. The results show that ultrasound vibrations have a significant effect on reducing induction time and crystal size distribution. The application of ultrasound vibrations to the system resulted in a small change in surface tension; however, the induction time and crystal size significantly decreased. The mean size of sodium arsenate crystals decreased from 398.87 ± 3.27 to 168.68 ± 2.07 μm, as the ultrasound power increases from 26 to 130 W. Ultrasound vibrations significantly reduced the induction time in a highly supersaturated solution compared to that in a low supersaturated solution.

Protective effect of dietary flaxseed oil on arsenic-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative damage in rat kidney

Arsenic, a naturally occurring metalloid, is capable of causing acute renal failure as well as chronic renal insufficiency. Arsenic is known to exert its toxicity through oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Flaxseed, richest plant based dietary source of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and lignans have shown numerous health benefits. Present study investigates the protective effect of flaxseed oil (FXO) on sodium arsenate (NaAs) induced renal damage. Rats prefed with experimental diets (Normal/FXO diet) for 14days, were administered NaAs (20mg/kg body weight i.p.) once daily for 4days while still on the experimental diets. NaAs nephrotoxicity was characterized by increased serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Administration of NaAs led to a significant decline in the specific activities of brush border membrane (BBM) enzymes both in kidney tissue homogenates and in the isolated membrane vesicles. Lipid peroxidation and total sulfhydryl groups were altered upon NaAs treatment, indicating the generation of oxidative stress. NaAs also decreased the activities of metabolic enzymes and antioxidant defence system. Histopathological studies supported the biochemical findings showing extensive damage to the kidney by NaAs. In contrast, dietary supplementation of FXO prior to and alongwith NaAs treatment significantly attenuated the NaAs-induced changes.

Stress granule formation inEntamoeba histolytica: cross-talk between EhMLBP, EhRLE3 reverse transcriptase and polyubiquitinated proteins

The Entamoeba histolytica-methylated LINE-binding protein (EhMLBP) binds to methylated repetitive DNA and is a positive regulator of a reverse transcriptase of a long interspersed nucleotide element (LINE). This protein protects trophozoites against heat shock by reducing protein aggregation. The presence of EhMLBP and polyubiquitinated proteins in heat shock-induced protein aggregates raised the question whether these proteins interact. This assumption was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation experiments: ubiquitinated proteins were detected in the perinuclear region of non-stressed E. histolytica trophozoites, whereas ubiquitinated proteins were detected in the perinuclear region and colocalized with EhMLBP in cytoplasmic granules in heat-shocked trophozoites. We also observed that overexpression of the reverse transcriptase of EhRLE3 induced the upregulation of EhMLBP expression and the formation of these EhMLBP-containing granules. Since (i) these EhMLBP-containing granules in the cytoplasm of heat-shocked E. histolytica trophozoites also contain polyubiquitinated proteins and poly(A)(+) mRNA and (ii) their formation is promoted by sodium arsenate, puromycin, and pateamine A and is inhibited by cycloheximide, we propose that these cytoplasmic EhMLBP-containing granules are stress granules. Our data also suggest that the formation of these granules is dependent upon EhMLBP and LINE.

Investigation of synergistic action between coronatine and nitric oxide in alleviating arsenic-induced toxicity in sweet basil seedlings

The phytotoxin coronatine (COR) is a jasmonic acid mimic produced by several pathovars of plant pathogen. In this study, we evaluated the protective effect of COR and nitric oxide (NO) against the toxicity of sodium arsenate in sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.). According to the statistical analysis, arsenic had a significant adverse effect on length and biomass of plants. Seedlings that pretreated with COR and sodium nitroprusside (SNP), significantly reversed fresh and dry lose and relative water content decay induced by the metalloid. The protective effects of COR and SNP were indicated by extent of lipid peroxidation, increase glutathione (GSH), ascorbate and thiol (–SH) content, promote antioxidant enzymes and reduce H2O2 content in basil seedlings. The present observation suggested that reduction of excess arsenic As-induced toxicity in O. basilicum by COR and NO is through the activation of enzymes involved in ROS detoxification (CAT, SOD, POD, APX, GR) and maintenance contents of molecular antioxidant (GSH, ascorbate, non-protein thiol and protein-thiol). Moreover, the results revealed a mutually amplifying reaction between COR and NO in reducing As-induced damages.

The Pestivirus N Terminal Protease Npro Redistributes to Mitochondria and Peroxisomes Suggesting New Sites for Regulation of IRF3 by Npro

The N-terminal protease of pestiviruses, Npro is a unique viral protein, both because it is a distinct autoprotease that cleaves itself from the following polyprotein chain, and also because it binds and inactivates IRF3, a central regulator of interferon production. An important question remains the role of Npro in the inhibition of apoptosis. In this study, apoptotic signals induced by staurosporine, interferon, double stranded RNA, sodium arsenate and hydrogen peroxide were inhibited by expression of wild type Npro, but not by mutant protein Npro C112R, which we show is less efficient at promoting degradation of IRF3, and led to the conclusion that Npro inhibits the stress-induced intrinsic mitochondrial pathway through inhibition of IRF3-dependent Bax activation. Both expression of Npro and infection with Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus (BVDV) prevented Bax redistribution and mitochondrial fragmentation. Given the role played by signaling platforms during IRF3 activation, we have studied the subcellular distribution of Npro and we show that, in common with many other viral proteins, Npro targets mitochondria to inhibit apoptosis in response to cell stress. Npro itself not only relocated to mitochondria but in addition, both Npro and IRF3 associated with peroxisomes, with over 85% of Npro puncta co-distributing with PMP70, a marker for peroxisomes. In addition, peroxisomes containing Npro and IRF3 associated with ubiquitin. IRF3 was degraded, whereas Npro accumulated in response to cell stress. These results implicate mitochondria and peroxisomes as new sites for IRF3 regulation by Npro, and highlight the role of these organelles in the anti-viral pathway.

Studies on the effect of sodium arsenate on the enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, brush border membrane, and oxidative stress in the rat kidney

Arsenic is an environmental pollutant and its contamination in drinking water poses serious world wide environmental health threats. It produces multiple adverse effects in various tissues, including the kidney. However, biochemical mechanism and renal response to its toxic insult are not completely elucidated. We hypothesized that sodium arsenate (ARS) induces oxidative stress and alters the structure and metabolic functions of kidney. Male Wistar rats were administered ARS (10mg/kg body weight/day), intraperitoneally daily for 10 days. ARS administration increased blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, cholesterol, glucose, and phospholipids but decreased inorganic phosphate, indicating kidney toxicity. The activity of brush border membrane (BBM) enzymes significantly lowered in both cortex and medulla. Activity of hexokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenases, and NADP-malic enzyme significantly increased whereas malate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and fructose 1,6 bis phosphatase decreased by ARS exposure. The activity of superoxide dismutase, GSH-peroxidase, and catalase were selectively altered in renal tissues along with an increase in lipid peroxidation. The present results indicated that ARS induced oxidative stress caused severe renal damage that resulted in altered levels of carbohydrate metabolism and BBM enzymes.

The Role of Fermented Milk Containing Probiotic, Dandelion as Prebiotic or their Combination on Serum Metabolites, Enzymes, Testosterone and Testicular Histopathology of Arsenic-Intoxicated Male Rats

This study aimed at investigating the ameliorative effects of probiotic and/or dandelion aqueous extract to reducing the risk of arsenic (As) intoxication on male rats. Fifty rats were randomly allotted into five groups, group 1(C-) given regular diet and water daily for 56 days, group 2 (C+) given sodium arsenate in drinking water, group 3 (PRO) given sodium arsenate in addition to probiotic, group 4 (PRE) given dandelion aqueous extract plus sodium arsenate (prebiotic) and group 5 (SYN) given sodium arsenate plus probiotic/dandelion extract (synbiotic). At the experiment conclusion rats were sacrificed and blood and testes were collected and taken for analysis and histopathological study, respectively. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST), Alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) and Aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) activities and creatinine, triglycerides (TG) and testosterone(T) concentration were determined and testes histopathology was studied. Creatinine, AST and TG were lower (P