Accumulation and Methylation Capacity of Sodium Arsenite in Chang Liver Cells

Objective To explore the accumulation and methylation capacity of arsenic in Chang liver cells. Methods Chang liver cells were treated with sodium arsenite at different doses for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. The levels of arsenic metabolites in cells and medium were determined by cold trap hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometer respectively. Results The accumulation of arsenic in Chang liver cells increased as the time of treatment prolonged, but decreased as the doses of sodium arsenite increased. The maximum of accumulation rate was 13.78% when cells were treated with 0.1 μmol/L arsenic for 72 h. The cells showed elevated methylation capacity of arsenic as the time of treatment prolonged, when treated with the same dose of arsenic. Compared with treated with 0.1 μmol/L and 0.2 μmol/L arsenic, the cells treated with 0.5 μmol/L arsenic showed a significant decreased arsenic methylation capacity. Conclusion The accumulation and methylation capacity of arsenic in Chang liver cells is low.