The Role of Reactive Oxygen Species in Arsenic Toxicity
Yuxin Hu,
Jin Li,
Bin Lou,
Ruirui Wu,
Gang Wang,
Chunwei Lu,
Huihui Wang,
Jingbo Pi,
Yuanyuan Xu
Affiliations
Yuxin Hu
Experimental Teaching Center, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China
Jin Li
Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China
Bin Lou
Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China
Ruirui Wu
Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China
Gang Wang
Experimental Teaching Center, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China
Chunwei Lu
Experimental Teaching Center, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China
Huihui Wang
Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China
Jingbo Pi
Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China
Yuanyuan Xu
Program of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, China Medical University, No.77 Puhe Road, Shenyang North New Area, Shenyang 110122, China
Arsenic poisoning is a global health problem. Chronic exposure to arsenic has been associated with the development of a wide range of diseases and health problems in humans. Arsenic exposure induces the generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which mediate multiple changes to cell behavior by altering signaling pathways and epigenetic modifications, or cause direct oxidative damage to molecules. Antioxidants with the potential to reduce ROS levels have been shown to ameliorate arsenic-induced lesions. However, emerging evidence suggests that constructive activation of antioxidative pathways and decreased ROS levels contribute to chronic arsenic toxicity in some cases. This review details the pathways involved in arsenic-induced redox imbalance, as well as current studies on prophylaxis and treatment strategies using antioxidants.
