Arsenic (As) exposure has been related to many diseases,
including
cancers. Given the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the
dietary supplementation of polyphenols may alleviate As toxicity.
Based on a mouse bioassay, this study investigated the effects of
chlorogenic acid (CA), quercetin (QC), tannic acid (TA), resveratrol
(Res), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on As bioavailability,
biotransformation, and toxicity. Intake of CA, QC, and EGCG significantly
(p < 0.05) increased total As concentrations in
liver (0.48–0.58 vs 0.27 mg kg–1) and kidneys
(0.72–0.93 vs 0.59 mg kg–1) compared to control
mice. Upregulated intestinal expression of phosphate transporters
with QC and EGCG and proliferation of Lactobacillus in the gut of mice treated with CA and QC were observed, facilitating
iAsV absorption via phosphate transporters and intestinal
As solubility via organic acid metabolites. Although As bioavailability
was elevated, serum levels of alpha fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic
antigen of mice treated with all five polyphenols were reduced by
13.1–16.1% and 9.83–17.5%, suggesting reduced cancer
risk. This was mainly due to higher DMAV (52.1–67.6%
vs 31.4%) and lower iAsV contribution (4.95–10.7%
vs 27.9%) in liver of mice treated with polyphenols. This study helps
us develop dietary strategies to lower As toxicity.