Arsenic and smokeless tobacco induce genotoxicity, sperm abnormality as well as oxidative stress in mice in vivo

Abstract

BackgroundArsenic, a naturally occurring metalloid is a well-known water contaminant which causes a wide range of serious adverse health effects including cancer upon long-term exposure. Recent studies have shown high arsenic contamination in the ground water of North Eastern states of India including Southern Assam. Smokeless tobacco consumption locally known as “sadagura” is one of the most prevalent life style habit in southern Assam. The present study was undertaken in mice test system in vivo. Mice were exposed to smokeless tobacco (5 mg/kg body weight /day) and sodium arsenite (0.2 mg/kg body weight /day, 2 mg/kg body weight/day) independently and in combination for 90 days.ResultsThe results were compared with groups with only sodium arsenite exposure and groups which were exposed to only smokeless tobacco extract. Genotoxicity was evaluated by studying the incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes from bone marrow. Both the tested doses of sodium arsenite induced statistically significant micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes as compared to control group, however, sodium arsenite and smokeless tobacco extract could not increase the incidence of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes as compared to their individual counterparts when treated in combination in mice test system. Germ cell toxicity was evaluated by recording the sperm head abnormalities and total sperm count. Combined treatment of sodium arsenite and smokeless tobacco extract in lower dose induced a significant increase in sperm head abnormality as compared to only sodium arsenite and smokeless tobacco extract. Liver, kidney and intestine tissues were analyzed for various oxidative stress evaluations such as lipid peroxidation (MDA), Glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) assay. Sodium arsenite in combination with smokeless tobacco extract show higher genotoxic and germ cell toxic effects as compared to control but not when compared to their individual counterparts.ConclusionImpairment of the sperm head morphology by sodium arsenite and smokeless tobacco extract alone and in combination with lower dose of sodium arsenite could be oxidative stress mediated effects. Besides, combination treatment of both the agents may not produce additive effects related to micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes induction and decline of total sperm count.

Effect of nutritional status on arsenic and smokeless tobacco induced genotoxicity, sperm abnormality and oxidative stress in mice in vivo

“…Aqueous extract of sadagura was prepared following the method described by Jeng and co‐workers [Jeng et al, ] with modifications as per our earlier studies [Das et al, ].…”

“…Biochemical estimations were performed as per our earlier studies [Das et al, ]. Lipid peroxidation estimation in liver, kidney, and intestine tissues was done by measuring TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reacting substance) and it was expressed in terms of MDA (Malondialdehyde) content [Rehman, ].…”

“…Roy et al have demonstrated genetic damage among the arsenic and tobacco exposed population from Southern Assam [Roy et al, ]. Recently, we have found that chronic arsenic and smokeless tobacco ( sadagura ) exposure in mice has the potential to cause genotoxicity, male germ cell abnormalities, as well as oxidative stress [Das et al, ].…”

Determination of Phytocomponents of Twenty-one Varieties of Smokeless Tobacco using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS)

“…7,8 Impairment of sperm head morphology and total sperm count along with various oxidative stress led genotoxicity and germ cell toxicity were reported in animals treated with tobacco. 9 Nicotine itself is not carcinogenic, but its biologically activated forms such as nicotine-derived nitrosamine ketone (NNK) and N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) are responsible for its carcinogenic effect. 10 Moderate and reversible toxicity along with organ weight loss was shown in oesophagus, stomach, liver, kidney and lung.…”

GC-MS Analysis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Shammah (Smokeless Tobacco) Samples of Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia as Promoter of Cancer Cell Proliferation

“…Aqueous extracts of ST hinder growths of some oral flora, which affect their balance, causing oxidative stress via degradation of nicotine into hydroxynicotine and cotinine-N-oxide inside the bacterium [8,9]. Furthermore, disruption of sperm-head morphology, decreased total sperm count, increased oxidative stress, and high genotoxic and germ cell toxic effects have been seen in animals treated with tobacco [10]. According to the Saudi Arabia cancer incidence report of 2014, the most common cancer in the Jazan region is colon cancer in males and breast cancer in females [11].…”