Roles of pregnane X receptor in sodium arsenite-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory injury in human normal hepatocytes

• Sodium arsenite exposure downregulates pregnane X receptor (PXR) expression in human normal hepatocytes, leading to oxidative stress and inflammatory injury. • PXR downregulation suppresses the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway and activates the NF-κB inflammatory pathway, contributing to hepatocyte damage. • Sodium arsenite inhibits the expression of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), a key drug-metabolizing enzyme, potentially affecting drug metabolism. • The study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms of arsenic-induced liver injury and suggests PXR as a potential therapeutic target.