Chronic arsenite exposure induced skeletal muscle atrophy by disrupting angiotensin II‐melatonin axis in rats

Abstract Arsenic is a well‐known environmental toxicant and emerging evidence suggests that arsenic exposure has potential skeletal muscle toxicity; however, the underlying mechanism has not yet been clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation among adverse effects of subchronic and chronic environmental arsenic exposure on skeletal muscle as well as specific myokines secretion and angiotensin II (AngII)–melatonin (MT) axis in rats. Four‐week‐old rats were exposed to arsenite (iAs) in drinking water at environmental relevant concentration of 10 ppm for 3 or 9 months. Results indicated that the gastrocnemius muscle had atrophied and its mass was decreased in rats exposed to arsenite for 9 months, whereas, they had no significant changes in rats exposed to arsenite for 3 months. The levels of serum‐specific myokine irisin and gastrocnemius muscle insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) were increased in 3‐month exposure group and decreased in 9‐month exposure group, while serum myostatin (MSTN) was increased significantly in 9‐month exposure group. In addition, serum AngII level increased both in 3‐ and 9‐month exposure groups, while serum MT level increased in 3‐month exposure group and decreased in 9‐month exposure group. Importantly, the ratio of AngII to MT level in serum increased gradually with the prolongation of arsenite exposure. It showed a certain correlation between AngII–MT axis and gastrocnemius muscle mass, gastrocnemius muscle level of IGF‐1 or serum levels of irisin and MSTN. In conclusion, the disruption of AngII–MT axis balance may be a significant factor for skeletal muscle atrophy induced by chronic environmental arsenic exposure.