Citation

Tripathi S, Kumar A. Toxicological and Environmental Chemistry 2011; 93(2): 307-313.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02772248.2010.508611

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Arsenic is a semi-metallic poison known since ancient times. Geber, an Arab alchemist of eighth century produced arsenious oxide from naturally occurring ore found in lead and iron mining and thus one of the most cruel, deadly and widely administered poisons during the medieval history was made available to the humanity. In the modern times, the nature of arsenic threat has changed. Instead of an acute poison used as insecticide, rodenticide or homicide/suicidal purpose it has become a chronic poison mobilized by natural or anthropogenic reasons. In the present article the effect of acute and chronic arsenic exposure in the form of sodium arsenite (Na3AsO3) were studied on total protein, albumin, and globulin in the serum of Oryctolagus cuniculus L. Two sublethal concentrations of sodium arsenite (0.12 and 0.25 mg kg-1bw) were administered to test animals for 3, 7, or 15 days to determine acute toxicity and for 6 months at an interval of 15 days to measure chronic toxicity. Total protein, albumin, and globulin in serum were determined after each exposure and compared with control. Following acute or chronic intoxication, total protein, albumin, and globulin levels were decreased. 2011 Taylor Francis.