PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Kathryn A. Ramsey
AU  - Alexander N. Larcombe
AU  - Peter D. Sly
AU  - Graeme R. Zosky
TI  - The effects of whole life arsenic exposure via drinking water on airway hyperresponsiveness in C57BL/6 mice
DP  - 2011 Sep 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - p1045
VI  - 38
IP  - Suppl 55
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p1045.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p1045.full
SO  - Eur Respir J2011 Sep 01; 38
AB  - Background: Arsenic exposure via drinking water is a significant global environmental health issue. Epidemiological data suggest a relationship between arsenic exposure and the development of obstructive lung disease.Aims: We aimed to determine if whole life arsenic exposure via drinking water impairs lung function and results in airway hyperresponsiveness.Methods: Pregnant C57BL/6 mice were exposed to drinking water containing 0 (control) or 100μg/L arsenic from gestational day 8 to parturition. After birth, offspring were exposed to arsenic (or control) in breastmilk/drinking water until adulthood (8 weeks of age). At this time lung mechanics and responsiveness to methacholine were assessed using the forced oscillation technique.Results: Arsenic exposed mice had significantly higher baseline airway resistance (Raw: arsenic 0.47±0.15 cm H2O.s.mL-1; control 0.35±0.09 cm H2O.s.mL-1, p = 0.03) and significantly higher maximum response to methacholine (Raw: arsenic 2.08±0.15 cm H2O.s.mL-1; control 1.25±0.42, p < 0.001) compared to controls.Conclusions: We have shown that mice exposed to arsenic throughout life have impaired baseline lung function and airway hyperresponsiveness as adults. These findings support the notion that ingested arsenic is a novel respiratory toxin and may be an important risk factor for the development of obstructive lung disease in arsenic exposed populations.