First Author | Jiang T | Year | 2009 |
Journal | Toxicol Appl Pharmacol | Volume | 240 |
Issue | 1 | Pages | 8-14 |
PubMed ID | 19538980 | Mgi Jnum | J:153921 |
Mgi Id | MGI:4366613 | Doi | 10.1016/j.taap.2009.06.010 |
Citation | Jiang T, et al. (2009) Nrf2 protects against As(III)-induced damage in mouse liver and bladder. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 240(1):8-14 |
abstractText | Arsenic compounds are classified as toxicants and human carcinogens. Environmental exposure to arsenic imposes a big health issue worldwide. Arsenic elicits its toxic efforts through many mechanisms, including generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nrf2 is the primary transcription factor that controls expression of a main cellular antioxidant response, which is required for neutralizing ROS and thus defending cells from exogenous insults. Previously, we demonstrated a protective role of Nrf2 against arsenic-induced toxicity using a cell culture model. In this report, we present evidence that Nrf2 protects against liver and bladder injury in response to six weeks of arsenic exposure in a mouse model. Nrf2(-/-) mice displayed more severe pathological changes in the liver and bladder, compared to Nrf2(+/+) mice. Furthermore, Nrf2(-/-) mice were more sensitive to arsenic-induced DNA hypomethylation, oxidative DNA damage, and apoptotic cell death. These results indicate a protective role of Nrf2 against arsenic toxicity in vivo. Hence, this work demonstrates the feasibility of using dietary compounds that target activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway to alleviate arsenic-induced damage. |