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Cellular metabolism of arsenocholine
A Christakopoulos1, H Norin, M Sandström
1National Institute of Environmental Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden.
Journal of Applied Toxicology : JAT
|April 1, 1988
Summary
Arsenocholine biotransformation in liver mitochondria yields arsenobetaine, its major metabolite. Further reactions produce trimethylarsine oxide and trimethylarsine, with no observed cytotoxicity for these organic arsenic compounds.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Organic arsenic compounds like arsenocholine and arsenobetaine are found in aquatic organisms.
- Understanding their metabolic fate is crucial for assessing potential health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vitro biotransformation pathways of arsenocholine and arsenobetaine.
- To identify the metabolites and enzymes involved in these processes.
- To evaluate the cytotoxicity of these compounds.
Main Methods:
- In vitro incubation of synthetic arsenocholine and arsenobetaine with rat liver cell fractions.
- Analysis of biotransformation products using analytical techniques.
- Cytotoxicity assays using isolated hepatocytes.
Main Results:
- Arsenocholine biotransformation occurred exclusively in the mitochondrial fraction.
- Major metabolites identified were arsenobetaine aldehyde and arsenobetaine.
- Trimethylarsine oxide and trimethylarsine were formed via side reactions.
- Arsenobetaine did not yield trimethylarsine oxide or trimethylarsine.
- No cytotoxicity was observed for arsenocholine or arsenobetaine.
Conclusions:
- The liver mitochondrial fraction is key for arsenocholine biotransformation.
- Arsenobetaine is the primary metabolite of arsenocholine.
- The identified metabolic pathway provides insight into organic arsenic metabolism.
- Arsenocholine and arsenobetaine exhibit low cytotoxicity in hepatocytes.