Effects of arsenite on central monoamines and plasmatic levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in mice

We studied the effects of chronic arsenic exposure on brain monoamines and plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) of mice. After weaning, mice received arsenic (0, 20, 40, 60 or 100 ppm) in drinking water over a period of 9 weeks. Monoamine content was quantified in different brain regions, arsenic was quantified in brain tissue and ACTH levels in plasma. Brain arsenic concentrations up to 100 ng/g showed a significant correlation with exposure levels and produced slight modifications in regional monoamine levels. ACTH plasma levels were significantly associated with norepinephrine (NE) concentrations in the medulla and pens, but not with hypothalamic NE levels. ACTH levels were significantly higher in the group exposed to 20 ppm. Dopamine showed significant dose-related decreases in the hypothalamus. These results show that chronic sodium arsenite exposure produces changes in central monoamines, which are not associated on a dose-dependent basis with major alterations in plasma ACTH. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.