Objective: To investigate whether changes in aerobic glycolysis occur during the process of lung tissue fibrosis induced by arsenic exposure. Methods: At the animal level, mice were allowed to freely drink pure water containing 50 mg/L NaAsO2. After nine months, the mice were sacrificed, and lung tissue sections were prepared for microscopic observation of changes. At the cellular level, HELF cells were exposed to different concentrations of NaAsO2 (0, 10, 20, 40 μmol/L) for 48 hours. Cell viability, glucose consumption were detected, and the gene expression of HK2 and LDHA was detected using qPCR and Western blot. Results: After nine months of arsenic exposure in mice, the alveolar structure of the control group was intact, while the exposed group showed thickening of the tissues around the airways, collagen deposition, and thickening of the alveolar walls. After nine months of NaAsO2 exposure, the relative expression of mRNA and protein of key enzymes of aerobic glycolysis HK2 and LDHA in lung tissue of mice increased compared with the control group (P＜0.05). At the cellular level, after 48 h of exposure, compared with the control group, the viability of HELF cells decreased when the concentration of NaAsO2 was 10, 20, 40 μmol/L (P＜0.05). Glucose consumption increased (P＜0.05). At the RNA level, the expression of HK2 and LDHA increased with the increase of exposure dose (P＜0.05). At the protein level, the expression of HK2 and LDHA increased with the increase of exposure dose (P＜0.05). Conclusion: Aerobic glycolysis may be involved in the process of activation of lung fibroblasts induced by arsenic exposure.
GAO Shuwen
,
WU Jinge
,
XU Shiqing
,
WANG Li
,
ZHAO Yuhang
. Arsenic exposure causes fibrotic changes in lung tissue and an increase in aerobic glycolysis levels[J]. Journal of Baotou Medical College, 2026
, 42(1)
: 1
-5
.
DOI: 10.16833/j.cnki.jbmc.2026.01.001
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