Disruption of essential metal homeostasis in the brain by cadmium and high-fat diet

Analyses of human cohort data support the roles of cadmium and obesity in the development of several neurocognitive disorders. To explore the effects of cadmium exposure in the brain, mice were subjected to whole life oral cadmium exposure. There were significant increases in cadmium levels with female animals accumulating more metal than males (p < 0.001). Both genders fed a high fat diet showed significant increases in cadmium levels compared to low fat diet fed mice (p < 0.001). Cadmium and high fat diet significantly affected the levels of several essential metals, including magnesium, potassium, chromium, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc and selenium. Additionally, these treatments resulted in increased superoxide levels within the cortex, amygdala and hippocampus. These findings support a model where cadmium and high fat diet affect the levels of redox-active, essential metal homeostasis. This phenomenon may contribute to the underlying mechanism(s) responsible for the development of neurocognitive disorders.