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Arsenic trioxide affects the trace element balance in tissues in infected and healthy mice differently
Ylva Molin1, Peter Frisk, Nils-Gunnar Ilbäck
1Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University Hospital, S-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. ylva.molin@medsci.uu.se
Background:
Acquired infections are common in cancer patients. As2O3 treatment and infections affect the body's trace element balance. However, it is unknown whether concomitant infections cause adverse element interactions that endanger the safety and therapeutic effect of As2O3.
Materials And Methods:
Coxsackievirus B3-infected mice were treated with 1.0 mg As2O3/kg bw for 3, 5 or 7 days. Arsenic, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc and selenium were measured (ICP-MS) in serum, heart, lung, liver, pancreas, kidney, intestine and brain. Virus in serum was followed by RT-PCR.
Results:
The infection increased As in all organs except the intestine, whereas selenium concentration decreased in all organs except the heart and brain. The infection markedly reduced magnesium in the heart.
Conclusion:
As2O3 treatment results in pronounced differences in trace elements between healthy and infected individuals. This finding is important to consider, regarding treatment safety and efficacy, when As2O3 therapy is used in the clinical setting.
Insights
Infections alter trace element levels in mice treated with arsenic trioxide (As2O3). This impacts As2O3 safety and efficacy in cancer patients, highlighting the need for careful monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Acquired infections are frequent in cancer patients undergoing arsenic trioxide (As2O3) treatment.
- Both As2O3 and infections can disrupt the body's trace element balance.
- The interaction between infections and As2O3's trace element effects on safety and efficacy is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of concomitant viral infection on trace element distribution during As2O3 treatment.
- To assess how viral infections influence the safety and therapeutic effects of As2O3.
Main Methods:
- Coxsackievirus B3-infected mice received As2O3 (1.0 mg/kg bw) for 3, 5, or 7 days.
- Trace elements (arsenic, magnesium, iron, copper, zinc, selenium) were quantified using ICP-MS in serum and various organs.
- Viral presence in serum was monitored via RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- Viral infection increased arsenic levels in most organs but decreased selenium concentrations universally (except heart and brain).
- Magnesium levels were significantly reduced in the heart of infected mice.
- As2O3 treatment induced distinct trace element profiles in infected versus healthy mice.
Conclusions:
- Concomitant infections significantly alter trace element profiles during As2O3 therapy.
- These alterations have critical implications for the safety and efficacy of As2O3 in clinical settings.
- Consideration of infection status is crucial for managing As2O3 treatment in cancer patients.
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