Effects of arsenic on blast transformation and DNA synthesis of human blood lymphocytes

Effects of inorganic arsenicals on DNA synthesis in unsensitized human blood lymphocytes were biphasic: the chemicals at very low concentrations enhanced blast transformation and DNA synthesis, whereas higher concentrations inhibited the transformation and DNA synthesis. The concentrations of arsenicals at which the maximum stimulating effect was found were 1 x 10(-5) M, 1 x 10(-6) M or 2 x 10(-6) M, and 0.8 x 10(-6) M or 1 x 10(-6) M for sodium arsenite exposure of 1 h, 3 days and 6 days, respectively; for sodium arsenate, 1 x 10(-5) M, 1 x 10(-5) M, and 2 x 10(-6) M or 5 x 10(-6) M, respectively. Arsenicals must be present for the entire 6 days culture period to produce maximum stimulation of blast transformation of human lymphocytes. The longer exposure of the lymphocytes to arsenicals, the lower the concentrations of arsenicals at which the maximum stimulating effect was found. The stimulating effect of trivalent arsenic (sodium arsenite) was stronger than pentavalent arsenic (sodium arsenate).