Synthesis, analysis and toxicological characterisation of arsenolipids

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Tanja Schwerdtle
• Subject Area: Food Chemistry
• Term: from 2016 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 280752988

Lipid-soluble organic arsenicals, so-called arsenolipids, are present in seafoods, where they can represent a significant source of dietary arsenic. The class of arsenolipids can be separated into arsenosugar-phospholipids (As-PL), arsenic-containing fatty acids (As-FA), trimethylarsonio fatty alcohols (TMAs-FOH), and arsenic-containing hydrocarbons (As-HC). Evidence has also been reported for the presence of arsenic-containing carboxylic esters in fish oils. Our recent joint project produced stunning results in the completely unexplored area of arsenolipid toxicity, raising questions of great scientific interest and high human health concern. To further assess risks to human health related to the presence of arsenolipids in food, this project will address five important aspects. 1. We will synthesize and characterize high quality standards of two arsenosugar-phospholipids and four arsenic fatty acids esterified to glycerol for use in toxicological studies. 2. We will characterize the toxicological profile of the six newly synthesized arsenolipids in cultured human liver and brain-associated cells in comparison with arsenite and the arsenic-containing hydrocarbons As-HC332, As-HC360, As-HC444, which have been shown recently to exert strong cellular toxicity. 3. We will study the transfer of As-HC332, As-HC360, As-HC444 as well as of the six newly synthesized arsenolipids across the blood-brain barrier and the blood-CSF barrier to assess brain bioavailability of the respective arsenolipids. 4. We will study toxicity of the six newly synthesized arsenolipids in Caenorhabditis elegans in comparison with arsenite and As-HCs. 5. We will assess in mice toxicokinetics after As-HC332 ingestion via gavage.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Austria
• Partner Organisation: Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung (FWF)
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Kevin Francesconi