Study for in vitro Cytotoxicity of Arsenocholine, an Organic Arsenic Compound in Seafood

Abstract

In this study, we examined the in vitro cytotoxic effects of an organic arsenic compound containing in seafood, trimethyl (2-hydroxyethyl) -arsonium cation, namely arsenocholine (AsCho), on murine splenocytes, thymocytes and bone marrow (BM) cells comparing with those of an inorganic arsenical, sodium arsenite using synthesized pure material. Sodium arsenite showed strong cytotoxicity on all of these cells, and it’s IC₅₀ was 5-6 μM. In contrast, AsCho had no cytotoxicity on these cells even at concentrations over 10 mM, and it slightly enhanced the viability of BM cells at doses over 100 μM. It is interesting that this unique biological effect was found in AsCho, an organic arsenic compound containing in some marine animals which are daily ingested as seafood in many countries.