Cytotoxic evaluation of arsenic compounds in alveolar macrophages in hamsters

Gallium arsenide (GaAs) causes various toxic effects in animals, including pulmonary diseases. Although their toxicity is not completely investigated, GaAs is used in workplaces in various semiconductor products. The present report was designed to clarify the toxicity of GaAs suspension and arsenic chloride (AsCl 3 ) solution as additives to the alveolar macrophages in hamsters using magnetometry, enzyme release assays and morphological examinations. Alveolar macrophages obtained from hamsters by tracheobronchial lavage and adhered to disks in the bottom of wells were exposed to ferrosoferric oxide and additives. Ferrosoferric oxide particles were magnetized externally and the remanent magnetic field was measured. Relaxation, a fast decline of remanent magnetic fields radiated from alveolar macrophages, was delayed and decay constants decreased dose-dependently due to exposure to GaAs suspensions. Relaxation was much delayed and decay constants decreased considerably due to exposure to AsCl 3 solutions. Because the relaxation is thought to be associated with the cytoskeleton, exposure to GaAs impairs their motor function. Enzyme release assay and morphological findings indicated damage to macrophages. Thus the cytotoxicity caused cytostructural changes and cell death. According to DNA electrophoresis and TUNEL methods, necrotic changes occur more frequently than apoptotic changes. In conclusion, exposure to GaAs suspension and AsCl 3 solution induced cytotoxicity of alveolar macrophages.