Samar Sarkar

Chronic arsenicosis in cattle with special reference to its metabolism in arsenic endemic village of Nadia district West Bengal India

Thirty Milch cattle were selected randomly from a village of Nadia district of West Bengal, India containing high arsenic in water and soil samples. Milk, feces and hair samples were collected to analyze arsenic status in animals. Water and straw samples were also estimated for arsenic. Milk products prepared from milk of cattle rearing in arsenic prone village were also collected to quantify total arsenic and speciation of arsenic in milk and feces samples were also carried out. It was observed that high amount of arsenic was present in milk, feces, hair of cattle and water and straw samples in arsenic prone village. Milk product also contained significant amount of arsenic than that of milk product of control village. Speciation study revealed arsenite fraction was mainly eliminated through milk, whereas organoarsenic species were mainly excreted through feces.

Quantitative imaging of arsenic and its species in goat following long term oral exposure

Severity of arsenic toxicity was reported to vary depending on its species. The present study reflects the status of different species of arsenic in goat following long-term exposure of arsenic leading to hepatic damage. The experiment was conducted with six black Bengal goats, which were administered with sodium arsenite orally at a dose rate of 2 mgkg(-1) daily for 84 days. Faeces, urine, hair and blood samples were collected from those animals at 14 days interval. Excretion of total arsenic was reduced from 56 days onwards through both faeces and urine indicating higher accumulation of arsenic in body. The speciation study revealed that urinary arsenic was mainly of organic type, whereas hair accumulated almost equal proportion of arsenite, arsenate and organo arsenicals. Goats excreted high proportion of organo arsenicals through faeces possibly due to hepatobiliary secretion of organo arsenic into the gut. Significantly elevated serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities (p<0.05) along with histopathological changes in liver indicated hepatotoxicity. The arsenite fraction increased and organic proportion decreased in urine as the time progressed, which indicates that arsenite gets methylated in liver of goat. The study thus alluded that the toxicity of arsenic would aggravate if the animals were exposed for long time as the hepatotoxicity progressed resulting in decreased methylation and formation of organo arsenicals and decreased excretions through urine.

Effect of environmental exposure of arsenic on cattle and poultry in Nadia district, West Bengal, India

A study was undertaken to evaluate an alternative source of arsenicosis in human food chain through livestock. Thirty milch cattle and 20 poultry birds along with their eggs were selected randomly from two endemic villages of Nadia district and one nonendemic villages of Hooghly district in West Bengal, India. Milk, feces, urine, and hair samples of cattle and feed materials, such as water and straw, were collected to analyze arsenic status. Arsenic concentration in egg yolk and albumen from poultry eggs and different poultry organs after culling was estimated. Distribution of arsenic in animal body indicates that major portion of arsenic was eliminated through feces, urine, and milk. Poultry egg yolk, albumen, and poultry products retain arsenic in all organs. Cows and poultry birds reared in endemic zone retain significantly higher concentration of arsenic. Consumption of egg, agricultural produces grown in contaminated soil, and milk might have produced arsenicosis and may be considered as alternative source of arsenic contamination.

Chronic arsenicosis in cattle: possible mitigation with Zn and Se.

Supply of arsenic free water in the arsenic endemic zone of West Bengal since a long time could not prevent arsenicosis in human completely. So exploration of arsenic contamination at all levels of food chain may be important. The report on arsenicosis in cattle of arsenic affected zone is scarcely available. In the present study, cattle from villages of two arsenic endemic blocks (Chakdah and Haringhata) in Nadia district of West Bengal were selected. The cattle affected with arsenicosis were identified and isolated. They were divided into two groups: untreated control group and treated group-was treated with mixture of zinc oxide (10mg/kg) and sodium selenite (0.1mg/kg) orally once daily for 180 days. Milk, faeces and hair samples were collected at different time intervals from those cattle for analysis of arsenic. Drinking water and straw of those areas were also collected for analysis of arsenic. Serum ALT and AST were estimated in collected blood samples of the cattle. The untreated control group had shown gradual accumulation of total arsenic in hair while the treated group showed a non-significant but declined accumulation of arsenic in hair from 90th day onwards and a significant increase (p<0.05) in total arsenic in faeces from 90th day onwards. The arsenic load considerably but non-significantly decreased in milk from 60th day onwards in the treated group. Serum AST and ALT activities were also decreased in treated cattle. It is concluded that straw is also a major source of arsenic contamination in cattle apart from drinking water and arsenic may enter into human through consumption of contaminated milk. But zinc and selenium mixture may be used to reduce arsenic load in cattle.

Chronic Arsenicosis of Cattle in West Bengal and It's Possible Mitigation by Sodium Thiosulfate.

Thirty milch cows having arsenic concentration in hair varying from 3 to 4 mg/kg from Dakhin Panchpota village of Nadia district, West Bengal, were divided into three equal groups where high amount of arsenic is reported to be present in soil and ground water. Groups II and III received, respectively, sodium thiosulfate 20 and 40 g to each animal for 30 days as a pilot study, whereas group I served as untreated control. Arsenic content of milk, feces, hair, and urine was estimated before and after administration of sodium thiosulfate orally at two dose level once daily for 1 month. Paddy straw, mustard oil cake, and water fed by animals were also assayed. Sodium thiosulfate significantly decreased arsenic load in milk, urine, and hair after 1 month. In milk, arsenic concentration was decreased significantly which may be beneficial for animal and human beings.

Ameliorative effect of two Ayurvedic herbs on experimentally induced arsenic toxicity in calves

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Chronic arsenic poisoning due to contaminated subsoil water is a threat to society in West Bengal, India and in Bangladesh. The human being may also be affected by the exposed cattle from the affected area by consuming milk, egg, meat and others. In Ayurveda, several herbs like Haridra (turmeric), Shunthi (dried ginger root) and others are used for the management of arsenic poisoning. AIM OF THE STUDY The study was conducted to find out the ameliorative effect of turmeric and ginger powder against experimentally induced arsenic toxicity in calves. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty four calves were divided into four groups (group I, II, III and IV) having six animals in each group. Animals of group I, II and III were orally administered with sodium arsenite at 1mg/kg body weight for 90 days and in addition group II and group III animals were treated orally with turmeric and ginger powder respectively at 10mg/kg body weight from 46th day onwards. Group IV animals were given food and water without drug and served as control. Arsenic content was estimated in faeces, hair, urine and plasma in every 15 days. Bio-chemical, haematological and anti-oxidant parameters were also assessed. RESULTS Turmeric and ginger powder significantly (P<0.05) reduced the plasma and hair arsenic levels through increased excretion via faeces and urine. Haemoglobin level, TEC and TLC were decreased in groups I, II and III, however these were improved significantly (P<0.05) from 75th day onwards in turmeric and ginger treated groups. Increased activity of AST and ALT were significantly decreased (P<0.05) from 75th day onwards in group II and III. Blood urea nitrogen and plasma creatinine were also significantly decreased (P<0.05) in group II and III than group I from 60th day onwards. The SOD and catalase activity were significantly (P<0.05) reduced in groups I, II and III, but these were restored at the end of the experiment in turmeric and ginger treated groups. CONCLUSION The test drugs are found significantly effective not only to eliminate arsenic from the body but also give protection from possible damage caused by arsenic exposure, it may be concluded from the present study that turmeric and ginger can be helpful in the therapy of chronic arsenic toxicity in calves.

Chronic Arsenicosis Induced Oxidative Stress in Cattle: Role of Zn and Se

High levels of arsenic in the ground water are a matter of concern, especially in the Indo-Bangladesh region where over a million people are reported to be suffering from arsenic poisoning. This kind of slow, low level, inevitable poisoning has caused serious concerns about the health of all living species in these areas (Majumder et al., 2012).