Direct Cardiac Effects of As2o3 in Rabbits: Evidence of Reversible Chronic Toxicity and Tissue Accumulation of Arsenicals after Parenteral Administration
Resource
TOXICOLOGY AND APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY v.189 n.3 pp.214-220
Journal
TOXICOLOGY AND APPLIED PHARMACOLOGY
Journal Volume
v.189
Journal Issue
n.3
Pages
214-220
Date Issued
2003
Date
2003
Author(s)
WU, MEI-HWAN
Abstract
Although parenteral administration of As2O3 is highly effective in the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia, cardiac toxicity has been reported. This study employed Langendorff perfusion to determine the direct effects of As2 O3 in the electrophysiological properties of rabbit hearts after acute or chronic As2O3 treatment (0.2 mg/kg/day iv for 30 days). Tissue accumulations of arsenicals and pathological changes as well as the reversibility of chronic As2O3 effects were assessed. We found that cardiac conduction and repolarization were not altered whatsoever after acute As2O3 treatment at clinically relevant (1, 3, and 10 muM) and higher (30 muM) doses. Nevertheless, an extremely high concentration of As 2O3 (300 muM) prolonged the corrected QT interval. Subsequent to chronic As2O3 administration and with 30 muM As2O3 via Langendorff perfusion, polymorphic ventricular tachycardia was observed( 1/7, 14%). Corrected QT interval was prolonged, while basic cycle length was shortened. Significant accumulation of arsenicals in the cardiac tissue was found, but without any pathological changes. After As2O3 was discontinued for 30 days, the chronic As2O3 -induced electrophysiological changes improved, no ventricular arrhythmia was noted, and the tissue concentration of arsenicals decreased considerably. We therefore conclude that, although no immediate cardiac effects were discernable at clinically relevant doses, an extremely high concentration of As2O3 could prolong ventricular repolarization. Chronic As2O3 treatment resulted in a prolonged ventricular repolarization , in association with arsenicals accumulation and with risk of ventricular tachycardia. These chronic cardiac toxicities and the tissue accumulation of arsenicals were, however, partially reversible after cessation of As2O3 (C) 2003 Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Subjects
Arsenic trioxide
Heart
Electrophysiology
Type
journal article