Arsenic Accumulation in the Lung, Liver, And Kidney of Rats Chronically Exposed to Cigarette Smoke

Abstract

Introduction: Cigarette smoking is a significant source of arsenic exposure for men through inhalation. The exposed rats had higher carboxyhemoglobin levels in their blood and received a daily dose of total particulate matter (TPM).

Objectives: To study the Arsenic distribution and accumulation in different system due to smoke exposure

Methods: Male albino rats were exposed daily for 40-45 weeks to mainstream smoke from Marlboro Light cigarettes in a special nose-only exposure system

Results: The results indicated effective inhalation of smoke by the rats. Tissue samples were analysed for arsenic using atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion. The exposed rats showed 64- and 2-3-fold higher levels of arsenic in their lungs and kidneys than control rats. In contrast, the levels of arsenic in the liver did not show a significant increase

Conclusions: The data suggests that chronic inhalation of low-dose cigarette smoke leads to    the highest accumulation of arsenic in the lungs, followed by the kidneys, with minimal impact on the levels of arsenic in the liver.