Neurotoxicity of a modelled complex environmental heavy metal exposure in rats

Abstract

Effects in the central nervous system of rats after six weeks exposure to metal oxide nanoparticles through the airways. In: Szilágyi M, Szentmihályi K (Eds) Trace Elements in the Food Chain Vol. 3, Deficiency or Excess of trace Elements In Environment as a Risk of Health. Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, 442-446. (2009) II. Horváth, E., Oszlánczi, G., Máté, Zs., Szabó, A., Kozma, G., Sápi, A., Kónya, Z., Paulik, E., Nagymajtényi, L., Papp, A.:Nervous system effects of dissolved and nanoparticulate cadmium in rats in subacute exposure. Journal of Applied Toxicology 31, 471-476 (2011) Imp. f: 2.322III. Horváth, E., Máté, Zs., Oszlánczi, G.,Papp, A., Sárközi, L., Kozma, G., Sápi, A., Paulik, E., Szabó, A.,: Central nervous system effevts of combined nanoparticulate lead exposure. Arad Medical Journal 21/1 (69), 13-16 (2011) Abstracts:Horváth Edina: Funkcionális idegrendszeri elváltozások ólom különböző formáival kezelt patkányokban. MHT Ifjúsági Tagozatának VI. Fóruma; Debrecen, 2010. Összefoglalók. 30. old. Egészségtudomány, LIV(2), p. 105 (2010)Horváth E., Oszlánczi G., Máté Zs., Takács Sz., Szabó A., Vezér T.: Magatartási és elektrofiziológiai hatások oldott és nanopartikuláris állapotú kadmiummal szubakutan kezelt patkányokban. MÉT LXXI Vándorgyűlése; Szeged, 2010 Horváth E., Máté Zs.,Nagy V.,Takács Sz., Szabó A., Papp, A., Pusztai P., Sápi, A., Kónya, Z.,Paulik E., Nagymajtényi L.: Functional alterations in the nervous system of rats treated with nanosized and other forms of lead. EuroNanoForum in partnership with Nanotech Europe; Budapest, 2011 (p. 219.) 5 SUMMARYMetals are major environmental pollutants due to the long periods of use (in case of lead, from ca.3500 BC on) and the immense amounts produced. Many metals are xenobiotics because they used to have minimal presence (and, hence, bioavailability) before man-made emission into the environment had begun, and because they either are completely useless and toxic for the human organism (e.g. mercury, lead or cadmium) or are essential micronutrients but toxic when overdosed (manganese, chromium, copper, etc.).Metal-containing dusts and fumes are generated along the complete life cycle of metal articles and are found in the workplace atmosphere. Airborne metals cause primarily inhalational exposure, the extent of which is influenced by the chemical form of the metals and the particle size. Environmental nanoparticles (NPs) have important health effects on their own. Their submicroscopic size and large specific surface area, together with the high numbers of NPs entering the organism in a typical exposure situation, result in great biological activity. Metal ions dissolved from the surface of NPs also must be considered among the mechanisms of action.The second most important route of exposure to heavy metals is probably ingestion. Dust can contaminate food or drink. Further, incorporation and accumulation of toxic metals from the soil is characteristic for numerous plants, including ones used for staple food production, the case cadmium co...