Whole life arsenic exposure via drinking water results in impaired lung function and airway hyperresponsiveness

Background: Arsenic exposure via drinking water is a signifi cant global environmental health issue. Epidemiological data suggest a relationship between arsenic exposure and the development of obstructive lung disease. 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 100 ppb 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 signifi cantly 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 signifi cantly 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.