Abstract

ACUTE ARSENIC ADMINISTRATION INDUCES IMPAIRED GLUCOSE TOLERANCE IN MICE

Shahnaz Rahman, Mohammad Najmul Hossain and Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background. Arsenic contamination of ground water is a serious health threat to people in many countries of the world including Bangladesh and West Bengal, India. A number of previous reports suggest that chronic exposure to arsenic may lead to diabetes in humans. It was of interest to determine whether acute exposure to arsenic can lead to impaired glucose tolerance and consequently elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycemia). Methods. Impairment of glucose tolerance was determined through oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in mice. Results. Oral administration of arsenic to mice at dose levels of 100, 200 and 400 g per 20g body weight led to dosedependent and statistically significant elevations in blood glucose levels compared to control animals (without arsenic). At the aforementioned three doses, the elevations in blood glucose in glucosechallenged mice were, respectively, 114.0, 123.5, and 160.9% compared to control mice (100.0%). Conclusion. Acute administration of arsenic can cause impaired glucose tolerance, which can serve as a model to explore various mitigating factors to alleviate the problem.

Keywords: Arsenic, Bangladesh, glucose, OGTT.