Biochemical and Molecular Targets of Heavy Metals and Their Actions

Kumar, Abhishek; Singh, Nitika; Pandey, Rukmani; Gupta, Vivek Kumar; Sharma, Bechan

doi:10.1007/978-3-319-74814-6_14

“…The role of heavy metals in OS and their harmful effects on the respiratory system; cardiovascular system; reproductive system; central nervous system (CNS); as well as vital organs such as the kidneys, lungs, liver, brain, and so on is undebatable. Various activities cause bioaccumulation of metal ions in the environment as well as in humans [42]. Heavy metals in combination with other xenobiotics like pesticides exert a deteriorating effect on hematology and the immune system.…”

Section: Role Of Heavy Metals In Oxidative Stressmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxidative Stress: A Key Modulator in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Singh

¹

,

Kukreti

²

,

Saso

³

2019

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Oxidative stress is proposed as a regulatory element in ageing and various neurological disorders. The excess of oxidants causes a reduction of antioxidants, which in turn produce an oxidation–reduction imbalance in organisms. Paucity of the antioxidant system generates oxidative-stress, characterized by elevated levels of reactive species (oxygen, hydroxyl free radical, and so on). Mitochondria play a key role in ATP supply to cells via oxidative phosphorylation, as well as synthesis of essential biological molecules. Various redox reactions catalyzed by enzymes take place in the oxidative phosphorylation process. An inefficient oxidative phosphorylation may generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondrial redox metabolism, phospholipid metabolism, and proteolytic pathways are found to be the major and potential source of free radicals. A lower concentration of ROS is essential for normal cellular signaling, whereas the higher concentration and long-time exposure of ROS cause damage to cellular macromolecules such as DNA, lipids and proteins, ultimately resulting in necrosis and apoptotic cell death. Normal and proper functioning of the central nervous system (CNS) is entirely dependent on the chemical integrity of brain. It is well established that the brain consumes a large amount of oxygen and is highly rich in lipid content, becoming prone to oxidative stress. A high consumption of oxygen leads to excessive production of ROS. Apart from this, the neuronal membranes are found to be rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are highly susceptible to ROS. Various neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Huntington’s disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), among others, can be the result of biochemical alteration (due to oxidative stress) in bimolecular components. There is a need to understand the processes and role of oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases. This review is an effort towards improving our understanding of the pivotal role played by OS in neurodegenerative disorders.

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“…Arsenic (As) is known as a global concern that the main route of exposure to this metalloid is through food and water [ 1 ]. As influences every organ and tissue in the human body such as the cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, productive, and nervous systems [ 2 ]. According to previous studies, As affects hippocampal neurons and changes the levels of neurotransmitters and gene regulation, which causes neurobehavioral alterations and neurodegenerative disorders [ 3 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Resveratrol Attenuates Learning, Memory, and Social Interaction Impairments in Rats Exposed to Arsenic

Zadeh

¹

,

Esmaeilpour

²

,

Aminzadeh

³

et al. 2021

BioMed Research International

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Arsenic (As) toxicity has deleterious effects on human health causing disorder in the brain. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible neuroprotective effect of resveratrol (RSV) on arsenic-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Neurotoxicity in rats was developed by treating As 10 mg/kg/day for 21 days orally. Animals were put into seven groups: control, vehicle, As, As+RSV10, As+RSV20 mg/kg, RSV10, and RSV20 mg/kg. Behavioral assessments such as the social interaction test, novel object recognition test, elevated plus maze, open field, the Morris water maze, in addition to assessment of biomarkers such as ferric reducing ability of plasma assay, glutathione assay, and malondialdehyde assay, were used to evaluate the effects of RSV on cognitive impairment and molecular changes induced by As. The results showed that cognitive performance impaired in As rats. RSV20 mg/kg significantly could ameliorate behavioral changes like spatial learning in days 3 and 4 ( p < 0.05 ), recognition learning and memory ( p < 0.01 ), disabilities in motor coordination and stress ( p < 0.05 ), increased anxiety ( p < 0.05 ), and social interaction deficit (sociability ( p < 0.001 ) and social memory ( p < 0.05 )). RSV20 mg/kg also attenuated molecular modifications like decreased antioxidant power ( p < 0.001 ), reduced glutathione content ( p < 0.05 ), and increased malondialdehyde level ( p < 0.05 ) induced by As. In addition to oxidative stress assessments, RSV10 mg/kg could significantly increase FRAP ( p < 0.01 ) and GSH ( p < 0.05 ); however, MDA was not significantly increased. Our current behavioral findings suggest that RSV has neuroprotective effects against AS toxicity.

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“…Most heavy metals exhibit harmful effects at high concentrations on several biological systems such as energy metabolism-related organs, ion transporters, the respiratory system, reproductive system, central nervous system (CNS), cardiovascular system, and other vital organs like the kidney, liver, and lungs. 45 , 46 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Heavy Metals and Related Impacts on Antioxidants and Physiological Parameters in Oil Refinery Workers in Iraq

Ajeel

¹

,

Ajeel²,

Nejres

³

et al. 2021

Journal of Health and Pollution

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Background. Some heavy metals can be harmful to human health in elevated doses such as zinc (Zn) and magnesium (Mg), while others such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and copper (Cu) have harmful consequences to health even in small doses. Heavy metals and additives are incorporated into crude oil to enhance performance.3,4,5 Crude oil is well known to contain heavy metals like Cu, Cd, Ni and Pb.3,6,7 Objective. The current study aimed to assess levels of heavy metals and the impact of these metals on antioxidant levels and physiological variables in the serum of oil refinery workers in Iraq. Methods. Heavy metals such as Pb, Cd, Hg, Zn, Cu and Mg were assessed in the serum of a sample of refinery workers (N=40) and a control group (N=20) using atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). Additionally, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), δ-aminolaevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and physiological variables such as blood urea, serum creatinine, glutamate-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamate-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) were measured to assess impact of these heavy metals. Results. Mercury, Cd, and Pb were significantly elevated in the refinery worker group in comparison with the control group, while the levels of Zn, Cu, and Mg were significantly lower in the refinery worker group compared to the control group. There was a significant difference between the control group and the worker group for most of the antioxidants and functional variables. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly lower in the worker group while blood urea, serum creatinine, glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) showed a significant elevation in the workers' group. Glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) showed no significant difference between the control group and the worker group. Conclusions. Refinery workers are at increased risk of having higher serum levels of Pb, Cd, and Hg compared to controls which can lead to an increase in oxidative stress, decrease in TAC, and decrease in the essential trace elements Zn, Cu and Mg. Participant Consent. Obtained Ethics Approval. This study was approved by the ethics committee within the Nineveh Health Department, Mosul, Iraq. Competing Interests. The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Biochemical and Molecular Targets of Heavy Metals and Their Actions

Cited by 30 publications

References 114 publications

Oxidative Stress: A Key Modulator in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Oxidative Stress: A Key Modulator in Neurodegenerative Diseases

Resveratrol Attenuates Learning, Memory, and Social Interaction Impairments in Rats Exposed to Arsenic

Assessment of Heavy Metals and Related Impacts on Antioxidants and Physiological Parameters in Oil Refinery Workers in Iraq

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