Mechanism of arsenic‐induced inhibition of erythropoiesis in mice

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Anemia accompanies arsenic intoxication in man. The present studies were undertaken to clarify further the effects of arsenic on erythropoiesis. A dose-related inhibition of red cell 59Fe incorporation and reticulocyte response was observed in normal mice treated with a single injection of arsenic. Arsenite was approximately two times as inhibitory as arsenate. The effects of arsenic on erythropoietin-induced erythroid differentiation revealed a significant inhibitory effect on young, proliferating marrow nucleated erythroid precursor cells. More mature, nonproliferating nucleated erythroid cells were resistant to the toxic action of arsenic. A dose-related inhibitory effect of arsenic on DNA synthesis was observed in fetal liver nucleated erythroid cells incubated with 3H thymidine. Ineffective erythropoiesis as well as the megaloblastic morphology accompanying aberrant DNA synthesis – manifestations of arsenic toxicity in man – were not evident in the present studies.