Divergent Effects of Arsenic on NF-κB Signaling in Different Cells or Tissues: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Arsenic is ubiquitously present in human lives, including in the environment and organisms, and has divergent effects between different cells and tissues and between different exposure times and doses. These observed effects have been attributed to the nuclear transcription factor kappa B(NF-κB) signaling pathway. Herein, a meta-analysis was performed by independently searching databases including the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Springer, Embase, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, to analyze effects of arsenic exposure on NF-κB signaling. Compared to controls, in the exposed group, p-IκB levels were found to be 8.13-fold higher (95% CI, 2.40–13.85; Z = 2.78; p = 0.005), IκB levels were 16.19-fold lower (95% CI, −27.44–−4.94; Z = 2.78; p = 0.005), and NF-κBp65 levels were 0.77-fold higher (95% CI, 0.13–1.42; Z = 2.34; p = 0.02) for normal cells and tissue, while NF-κBp65 levels were 4.90-fold lower (95% CI, −8.49–1.31; Z = 2.62; p = 0.009), NF-κB activity was 2.45-fold lower (95% CI, −3.66–1.25; Z = 4.00; p < 0.0001), and DNA-binding activity of NF-κB was 9.75-fold lower (95% CI, −18.66–4.54; Z = 2.15; p = 0.03) for abnormal cells and tissue. Short exposure to high arsenic doses activated the NF-κB signaling pathway, while long exposure to low arsenic doses suppressed NF-κB signaling pathway activation. These findings may provide a theoretical basis for injurious and therapeutic mechanisms of divergent effects of arsenic.