Dimercaptosuccinic acid had positive inhibitory potency but no facilitatory effect against aberrant activation of astrocytes exposed to diphenylarsinic acid

Abstract

Diphenylarsinic acid (DPAA), a pentavalent arsenic detected in the well water, induced neurological symptoms in nearby residents. DPAA could induce aberrant intracellular activation including induction/activation of antioxidant proteins, MAP kinases, and transcription factors in cultured rat cerebellar astrocytes. Here, we assessed the potential of dimercaptosuccinic acid, an antidote to lead poisoning, as a prophylactic and/or curative agent against DPAA. DMSA could inhibit DPAA-induced aberrant activation clearly, but not accelerate recovery from activated status after DPAA removal.