Dimethylarsine likely acts as a mouse-pulmonary tumor initiator via the production of dimethylarsine radical and/or its peroxy radical.

Aims: Recent animal experiments have indicated that dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), a main metabolite of inorganic arsenic, is a complete carcinogen in the lung of mice and the urinary bladder of rats, nevertheless, no ultimate-active metabolite from DMA has been identified thus far. We have proposed that dimethylarsine ((CH3)2AsH), an ultimate reductive metabolite of DMA, is excreted in the expired air of mice administered DMA, and furthermore, was easily converted into dimethylarsine radical ((CH3)2As•) and dimethylarsine peroxy radical ((CH3)2AsOO•) by its reaction with O2. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the possible mode of the tumorigenic action by dimethylated arsenic.

Dimethylarsine likely acts as a mouse-pulmonary tumor initiator via the production of dimethylarsine radical and/or its peroxy radical.

Aims: Recent animal experiments have indicated that dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), a main metabolite of inorganic arsenic, is a complete carcinogen in the lung of mice and the urinary bladder of rats, nevertheless, no ultimate-active metabolite from DMA has been identified thus far. We have proposed that dimethylarsine ((CH(3))(2)AsH), an ultimate reductive metabolite of DMA, is excreted in the expired air of mice administered DMA, and furthermore, was easily converted into dimethylarsine radical ((CH(3))(2)As*) and dimethylarsine peroxy radical ((CH(3))(2)AsOO*) by its reaction with O(2). The aim of the present study was to elucidate the possible mode of the tumorigenic action by dimethylated arsenic.