An approach to As(III) and As(V) bioavailability studies with Caco-2 cells

Foods and drinking water are the main sources of human exposure to inorganic arsenic [As(III) and As(V)]. After oral ingestion, the intestinal epithelium is the first barrier to absorption of these species. A human intestinal cell line (Caco-2) was used to evaluate cell retention and transport of As(III) (15.6–156.0 μM) and/or As(V) (15.4–170.6 μM). Cell monolayer integrity, cell viability, membrane damage and effects on cell metabolism were evaluated. Only the highest concentrations assayed [As(III): 156.0 μM; As(V): 170.6 μM] produced a cytotoxic effect with different cellular targets: As(III) altered the permeability of tight junctions, and As(V) caused uncoupling of the respiratory chain. Retention and transport of As(III) was more efficient than that of As(V). After 4 h of exposure to As(III) or As(V), monolayer retention percentages varied between 0.87–2.28% and 0.14–0.39%, respectively. Transepithelial transport was greater for As(III) (5.82–7.71%) than for As(V) (not detectable—1.55%). The addition of As(III) and As(V) jointly produced a transport rate similar to that observed when they were added independently.