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Toxicology Research Apr 2024Because of their beneficial properties, natural products, especially medicinal plants, are becoming increasingly popular worldwide and play a significant role in...
Because of their beneficial properties, natural products, especially medicinal plants, are becoming increasingly popular worldwide and play a significant role in research. This study was aimed to evaluate the nephroprotective effect of sinapic acid against mercuric chloride-induced renal toxicity in mice. The mice were allocated to four groups named a normal group (G1), model group (G2; received HgCl, 1 mg/kg bw), treatments groups (G3 and G4: received 50 and 100 mg/kg bw of sinapic acid together with HgCl2). Mice received HgCl remarkably showed alteration in all examined biochemical biomarkers (urea, creatinine, and bilirubin), and induced alteration in blood cell picture and anemia. HgCl intoxication decreased both systemic and renal antioxidant activity and induced over all oxidative stress as indicated by alteration in inflammation and oxidative stress associated markers. HgCl affected renal histology with leukocytic and inflammatory cell infiltration, fibrosis and tubular necrosis. Administration of sinapic acid (50 and 100 mg/kg bw) markedly restored the HgClinduced oxidative stress (serum and renal: MDA, GSH, CAT, SOD, and T-AOC), proinflammatory cytokines (serum and renal: TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, and PGE2) and restored the changes on biochemical markers, and hematological parameters (hemoglobin, erythrocytes, platelets, and leukocytes). Taken together, the results of the present study disclose that sinapic acid has the potential to attenuate HgCl-induced renal toxicity and may be an ideal choice against mercury poisoning.
PubMed: 38660688
DOI: 10.1093/toxres/tfae066 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials May 2024Mercury (Hg) is one of the most widespread pollutants that pose serious threats to public health and the environment. People are inevitably exposed to Hg via different...
Mercury (Hg) is one of the most widespread pollutants that pose serious threats to public health and the environment. People are inevitably exposed to Hg via different routes, such as respiration, dermal contact, drinking or diet. Hg poisoning could cause gingivitis, inflammation, vomiting and diarrhea, respiratory distress or even death. Especially during the developmental stage, there is considerable harm to the brain development of young children, causing serious symptoms such as intellectual disability and motor impairments, and delayed neural development. Therefore, it's of great significance to develop a specific, quick, practical and labor-saving assay for monitoring Hg. Herein, a mitochondria-targeted dual (excitation 700 nm and emission 728 nm) near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent probe JZ-1 was synthesized to detect Hg, which is a turn-on fluorescent probe designed based on the rhodamine fluorophore thiolactone, with advantages of swift response, great selectivity, and robust anti-interference capability. Cell fluorescence imaging results showed that JZ-1 could selectively target mitochondria in HeLa cells and monitor exogenous Hg. More importantly, JZ-1 has been successfully used to monitor gastrointestinal damage of acute mercury poisoning in a drug-induced mouse model, which provided a great method for sensing Hg species in living subjects, as well as for prenatal diagnosis.
Topics: Fluorescent Dyes; Mitochondria; Humans; Animals; HeLa Cells; Mercury Poisoning; Mercury; Optical Imaging; Mice; Gastrointestinal Tract; Female; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Rhodamines
PubMed: 38613952
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134269 -
Heliyon Apr 2024Heavy metal (HM) poisoning of agricultural soils poses a serious risk to plant life, human health, and global food supply. When HM levels in agricultural soils get to... (Review)
Review
Heavy metal (HM) poisoning of agricultural soils poses a serious risk to plant life, human health, and global food supply. When HM levels in agricultural soils get to dangerous levels, it harms crop health and yield. Chromium (Cr), arsenic (As), nickel (Ni), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) are the main heavy metals. The environment contains these metals in varying degrees, such as in soil, food, water, and even the air. These substances damage plants and alter soil characteristics, which lowers crop yield. Crop types, growing circumstances, elemental toxicity, developmental stage, soil physical and chemical properties, and the presence and bioavailability of heavy metals (HMs) in the soil solution are some of the factors affecting the amount of HM toxicity in crops. By interfering with the normal structure and function of cellular components, HMs can impede various metabolic and developmental processes. Humans are exposed to numerous serious diseases by consuming these affected plant products. Exposure to certain metals can harm the kidneys, brain, intestines, lungs, liver, and other organs of the human body. This review assesses (1) contamination of heavy metals in soils through different sources, like anthropogenic and natural; (2) the effect on microorganisms and the chemical and physical properties of soil; (3) the effect on plants as well as crop production; and (4) entering the food chain and associated hazards to human health. Lastly, we identified certain research gaps and suggested further study. If people want to feel safe in their surroundings, there needs to be stringent regulation of the release of heavy metals into the environment.
PubMed: 38590838
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28357 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024The ongoing anthropogenic pollution of the biosphere with As, Cd, Hg and Pb will inevitably result in an increased influx of their corresponding toxic metal(loid)... (Review)
Review
The ongoing anthropogenic pollution of the biosphere with As, Cd, Hg and Pb will inevitably result in an increased influx of their corresponding toxic metal(loid) species into the bloodstream of human populations, including children and pregnant women. To delineate whether the measurable concentrations of these inorganic pollutants in the bloodstream are tolerable or implicated in the onset of environmental diseases urgently requires new insight into their dynamic bioinorganic chemistry in the bloodstream-organ system. Owing to the human exposure to multiple toxic metal(loid) species, the mechanism of chronic toxicity of each of these needs to be integrated into a framework to better define the underlying exposure-disease relationship. Accordingly, this review highlights some recent advances into the bioinorganic chemistry of the Cd, Hg and CHHg in blood plasma, red blood cells and target organs and provides a first glimpse of their emerging mechanisms of chronic toxicity. Although many important knowledge gaps remain, it is essential to design experiments with the intent of refining these mechanisms to eventually establish a framework that may allow us to causally link the cumulative exposure of human populations to multiple toxic metal(loid) species with environmental diseases of unknown etiology that do not appear to have a genetic origin. Thus, researchers from a variety of scientific disciplines need to contribute to this interdisciplinary effort to rationally address this public health threat which may require the implementation of stronger regulatory requirements to improve planetary and human health, which are fundamentally intertwined.
Topics: Child; Humans; Female; Pregnancy; Cadmium; Mercury; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Environmental Pollutants; Environmental Pollution; Environmental Monitoring; Metals, Heavy; Soil Pollutants; Risk Assessment; China
PubMed: 38542366
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063393 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024Polysaccharides are functional foods or drugs that can be used to alleviate heavy metal poisoning by cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic. Industries generate substantial... (Review)
Review
Polysaccharides are functional foods or drugs that can be used to alleviate heavy metal poisoning by cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic. Industries generate substantial quantities of toxic heavy metal wastes, such as wastewater discharges, paints, electronic waste, batteries, pigments, and plastics, into the environment that pose a risk to human health. Therefore, it is imperative to eliminate accumulated heavy metal ions from the body and the environment. Heavy metal toxicity can lead to decreased energy levels and impair the functioning of vital organs, such as the brain, lungs, kidneys, liver, and blood. Prolonged exposure can result in progressive physical, muscular, and neurological degeneration that resembles conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and muscular dystrophy. Polysaccharides operate through mechanisms such as chelation, antioxidant defense, immunomodulation, and tissue repair. Polysaccharides involved in heavy metal removal include methionine and cysteine, together with N-acetylcysteine, an acetylated form of cysteine, S-adenosylmethionine, a metabolite of methionine, α-lipoic acid, and the tripeptide glutathione (GSH). These compounds effectively bind with harmful heavy metals to create a stable complex and defend biological targets from metal ions, thus decreasing their harmful effects and causing them to be excreted from the body. This review also highlights the importance of polysaccharides' ability to mitigate oxidative stress, enhance immune responses, and support tissue repair processes. Polysaccharides are ubiquitous in nature and take part in diverse processes, making them potential natural therapies for heavy metal-related diseases. This review discusses the effectiveness of natural polysaccharides and the mechanisms that allow them to bind with heavy metals to alleviate their effects from the body and the environment. Polysaccharides have inherent features that enable them to function as pharmacological agents and regulate the immune response.
PubMed: 38540843
DOI: 10.3390/foods13060853 -
Toxics Mar 2024Mercury (Hg) pollution is a global public health concern because of its adverse effects on the environment and health. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been... (Review)
Review
Mercury (Hg) pollution is a global public health concern because of its adverse effects on the environment and health. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been associated with Hg levels and outcomes. The aim of this review was to describe the research and discuss the evidence on the genetic susceptibility of Hg-exposed individuals to the development of neurocognitive disorders. A systematic review was performed to identify the genes/SNPs associated with Hg toxicokinetics and that, therefore, affect neurological function in exposed populations. Observational and experimental studies were identified by screening three databases. Thirteen articles were included (quality score 82-100%) and 8124 individuals were evaluated. Hg exposure was mainly fish consumption (77%) and, in 31% of the studies, the Hg levels exceeded the reference limits. Genetic susceptibility to higher Hg levels and neurotoxicity risk in Hg poisoning were associated with eight ( rs1800435, rs2740574, rs776746, rs2257401, rs1695, rs8052394, rs2270836, and rs11643815) and three ( rs8052394, rs2270837, and rs10636) SNPs, respectively, and rs8052394 was associated with both outcomes. The rs8052394 SNP may be used as a susceptibility biomarker to identify individuals at greater risk for higher Hg levels and the development of neurocognitive disorders in metal-exposed populations.
PubMed: 38535959
DOI: 10.3390/toxics12030226 -
Toxics Mar 2024Widespread contamination of the Amazon basin with mercury has been reported to occur since at least the mid-80s due to heavy gold mining activity. Although initial...
Widespread contamination of the Amazon basin with mercury has been reported to occur since at least the mid-80s due to heavy gold mining activity. Although initial studies have indicated that this may lead to deleterious neurological consequences to the indigenous populations living in the region, further research is needed to better characterize the neurological burden of such long-term exposure. With this aim, a cross-sectional exploratory study has been conducted with the Yanomami indigenous population residing in a northern Amazon region. All participants underwent a structured interview; detailed neurological examination, including assessment for cognitive, motor, coordination, and sensory functions; and laboratorial testing for serum hemoglobin, blood glucose, and methylmercury levels in hair samples. This study enrolled 154 individuals of 30.9 ± 16.8 years of age, of which 56.1% were female. Mean methylmercury levels in hair were 3.9 ± 1.7 µg/g. Methylmercury levels in hair > 6.0 µg/g were found in 10.3%. Among participants with hair methylmercury levels ≥ 6.0 μg/g, the prevalences of peripheral neuropathy and reduced cognitive performance were, respectively, 78.8% (95%CI 15-177%, = 0.010) and 95.9% (95%CI 16-230.8%, = 0.012) higher than those of individuals with lower levels. These results suggest that chronic mercury exposure may lead to significant and potentially irreversible neurotoxicity to Yanomami population living in the northern Amazon basin.
PubMed: 38535945
DOI: 10.3390/toxics12030212 -
South African Medical Journal =... Dec 2023Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that may cause neurological, respiratory, gastrointestinal and dermatological illnesses. Previously described neurological...
Mercury is a highly toxic heavy metal that may cause neurological, respiratory, gastrointestinal and dermatological illnesses. Previously described neurological manifestations of mercury toxicity are symmetrical, and include a pancerebellar syndrome, generalised seizures and encephalopathy. Mercury is used in the gold mining process, and in artisanal or illicit gold mining, often without necessary protection. Here we describe the cases of two artisanal gold miners from western Johannesburg, South Africa, who presented with atypical neurological manifestations of mercury toxicity. Patient 1 presented with focal seizures, an asymmetrical cerebellar syndrome and an acute encephalopathy. Patient 2 had unilateral cerebellar ataxia. Both patients had toxic mercury levels, with no other cause identified for their symptoms. Patient 1 responded well to chelation therapy, but patient 2 refused admission and further medical treatment. The neurological manifestations of mercury toxicity are typically symmetrical, whereas our two patients presented with markedly asymmetrical features. It is important to maintain a high index of suspicion for mercury poisoning, even in patients with atypical and unilateral or asymmetrical presentations. A prompt diagnosis and the commencement of early chelation therapy have the potential to produce good outcomes.
Topics: Humans; Mercury; Occupational Exposure; Gold; South Africa; Brain Diseases; Miners
PubMed: 38525630
DOI: 10.7196/SAMJ.2023.v113i12.1127 -
The Science of the Total Environment May 2024Health hazards caused by metal exposure in household dust are concerning environmental health problems. Exposure to toxic metals in household dust imposes unclear but...
Health hazards caused by metal exposure in household dust are concerning environmental health problems. Exposure to toxic metals in household dust imposes unclear but solid health risks, especially for children. In this multicenter cross-sectional study, a total of 250 household dust samples were collected from ten stratified cities in China (Panjin, Shijiazhuang, Qingdao, Lanzhou, Luoyang, Ningbo, Xi'an, Wuxi, Mianyang, Shenzhen) between April 2018 and March 2019. Questionnaire was conducted to gather information on individuals' living environment and health status in real-life situations. Multivariate logistic regression and principal component analysis were conducted to identify risk factors and determine the sources of metals in household dust. The median concentration of five metals in household dust from 10 cities ranged from 0.03 to 73.18 μg/g. Among the five heavy metals, only chromium in household dust of Mianyang was observed significantly both higher in the cold season and from the downwind households. Mercury, cadmium, and chromium were higher in the third-tier cities, with levels of 0.08, 0.30 and 97.28 μg/g, respectively. There were two sources with a contribution rate of 38.3 % and 25.8 %, respectively. Potential risk factors for increased metal concentration include long residence time, close to the motorway, decoration within five years, and purchase of new furniture within one year. Under both moderate and high exposure scenarios, chromium showed the highest level of exposure with 6.77 × 10 and 2.28 × 10 mg·kg·d, and arsenic imposed the highest lifetime carcinogenic risk at 1.67 × 10 and 3.17 × 10, respectively. The finding highlighted the priority to minimize childhood exposure of arsenic from household dust.
Topics: Child; Humans; Environmental Monitoring; Social Conditions; Arsenic; Dust; Cities; Cross-Sectional Studies; Metals, Heavy; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Chromium; China; Risk Assessment
PubMed: 38494014
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171669 -
Food and Chemical Toxicology : An... Apr 2024The mucilage phenomenon observed in the Sea of Marmara in 2021, has raised public concern about seafood safety. Mediterranean mussels serve as a vehicle in food chain,...
The mucilage phenomenon observed in the Sea of Marmara in 2021, has raised public concern about seafood safety. Mediterranean mussels serve as a vehicle in food chain, enabling the transfer of pollutants. Farmed and wild mussels were collected from 4 different stations throughout the fishing season. Biotoxins causing amnesic, paralytic, or diarrhetic shellfish poisonings (ASP, PSP, or DSP) were examined during monthly samplings. Potential health risks posed by cadmium, lead and arsenic were assessed. Health risks were evaluated considering 150 g/week mussel consumption, accounting for the different age groups of consumers (50, 60, 70 kg). Estimated Weekly Intake calculations of metals were determined to be lower than Provisional Tolerable Weekly Intake at all age groups throughout the sampling period in all stations. Target Hazard Quotient of mussels captured from Istanbul Strait was always determined <1, while it was equal to 1 for 50 kg individuals in Gelibolu samples. All THQ were >1. Target carcinogenic Risk was evaluated for Pb and iAs, which were found to be negligible and acceptable, respectively. No biotoxins responsible for ASP, PSP, or DSP were detected. Hg levels were under detectable limits. Excluding Cd, the results did not reveal any risks associated with mussel consumption during mucilage.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Cadmium; Food Contamination; Bivalvia; Seafood; Mercury; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Environmental Monitoring; Water Pollutants, Chemical
PubMed: 38432438
DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114558