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Gestational Arsenic Exposure Induces Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Fatty Liver Disease-like Phenotypes in
Qian-Qun Yang1,2, Qing-Hua Qian1,2, Wei-Wei Zhang1,2
1Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
Environment & Health (Washington, D.C.)
|June 25, 2026
Summary
Prenatal exposure to arsenic (As) can promote metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) phenotypes in adult offspring. This early-life environmental trigger impacts liver health and metabolic regulation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Toxicology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is linked to metabolic disorders.
- Developmental arsenic (As) exposure is associated with metabolic issues, but its impact on MAFLD phenotypes is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of prenatal arsenic exposure on MAFLD-like phenotypes in adult offspring.
Main Methods:
- Pregnant mice were exposed to arsenic (0, 1.5, or 15 mg/L) during gestation.
- Offspring were assessed for MAFLD-related phenotypes in middle age using glucose and insulin tolerance tests, and hormone level analysis.
Main Results:
- Gestational arsenic exposure led to increased hepatic triglyceride content and enlarged lipid droplets in adult offspring.
- Prenatal arsenic exposure impaired glucose and insulin tolerance and altered white fat mass and adipocyte size.
- Hormonal imbalances, including elevated adiponectin, leptin, and insulin, and reduced glucagon-like peptide-1, were observed in female offspring exposed to high-dose arsenic.
Conclusions:
- Prenatal arsenic exposure promotes MAFLD-like phenotypes in adult offspring.
- Arsenic acts as an early-life environmental trigger for metabolic diseases like MAFLD.
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