Arsenic vascular effects

Engel, R.R., Hopenhayn-Rich, C., Receveur, O., Smith, A.H. (1994). Vascular effects of chronic arsenic exposure a review. Epidemiol. Rev. 16 184-209. 

Toxicology. Arsenic compounds are irritants of the skin, mucous membranes, and eyes gastrointestinal effects, peripheral neuropathy, vascular lesions, skin diseases, and various cancers are reported risks of exposure to arsenic compounds. 

The hematopoietic system is affected by both short- and long-term arsenic exposure. Arsenic is known to cause a wide variety of hematological abnormalities like anemia, absolute neutropenia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia, and relative eosinophilia - more common than absolute esino-philia, basophilic stippling, increased bone marrow vascularity, and rouleau formation (Rezuke et al, 1991). These effects may be due to a direct hemolytic or cytotoxic effect on the blood cells and a suppression of erythropoiesis. The mechanism of hemolysis involves depletion of intracellular GSH, resulting in the oxidation of hemoglobin (Saha et al, 1999). Arsenic exposure is also known to influence the activity of several enzymes of heme biosynthesis. Arsenic produces a decrease in ferrochelatase, and decrease in COPRO-OX and increase in hepatic 5-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity (Woods and Southern, 1989). Subchronic... 

B. Chronic intoxication is also associated with multisystemic effects, which may include fatigue and malaise, gastroenteritis, leukopenia and anemia (occasionally megaloblastic), sensory predominant peripheral neuropathy, hepatic transaminase elevation, nonciiihotic portal hypertension, and peripheral vascular insufficiency. Skin disorders and cancer may occur (see below), and a growing body of epidemiological evidence links chronic arsenic ingestion with an increased risk of hypertension, cardiovascular mortality, and diabetes mellitus. 

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