GLUTATHIONE PLAYS DIFFERENT ROLES IN THE INDUCTION OF THE CYTOTOXIC EFFECTS OF INORGANIC AND ORGANIC ARSENIC COMPOUNDS IN CULTURED BALB C 3T3 CELLS/

The cytotoxicity of arsenic compounds towards BALB/c 3T3 cells in cult ure was investigated, together with the role of glutathione (GSH) in t he induction of the cytotoxic effects. The rank order of cytotoxicity was as follows: arsenite (As3+) > arsenate (As5+) > dimethylarsinic ac id (DMAA) > methylarsonic acid (MAA) > trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO). A rsenobetaine, arsenocholine and the tetramethylarsonium ion were less toxic. Depletion of GSH enhanced the cytotoxic effects of As3+, AS(5+) , MAA and TMAO, while the cytotoxicity of DMAA was markedly reduced by depletion of GSH. These results suggest that GSH plays a role in prot ecting the cells against the toxic effects of As3+, As5+, MAA and TMAO while it is involved in the induction of the cytotoxic effects of DMA A.