Study of the effect of inorganic and organic complexes of arsenic metal on the status of GSH in T. cells and B. cells of blood.

Arsenic is a major threat to large part of the population due to its carcinogenic nature. The toxicity of Arsenic varies with its chemical form and oxidation states. Glutathione (GSH), a major intra-cellular tripeptide plays a major role in arsenic detoxification. The present study was designed to provide insight into the extent of changes in GSH level by inorganic arsenic in the form of Arsenic trioxide (ATO) and organic arsenic in the form of nitro benzene arsenic acid (NBA). Lymphocytes (T.cells and B.cells) were investigated for determination of change in GSH metabolic status caused by arsenic. The depletion of GSH level positively correlated with increasing arsenic concentration and time of incubation. The decline in GSH level was consistent with increasing pH and physiological temperature. Our findings show that changes in GSH status produced by Arsenic could be due to adduct (As-(SG)3) formation. This change in GSH metabolic status provides information regarding mechanism of toxicity of inorganic and organic arsenicals. These findings are important for the rational design of antidote for the prevention of arsenic induced toxicity.