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Heavy Metals Toxicity: Mechanism, Health Effects, and Therapeutic Interventions
Yu-Feng Cheng1, Yu-Jia Zhao1, Ce Chen2
1Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Guizhou Province and Laboratory Animal Centre Zunyi Medical University Zunyi Guizhou China.
Medcomm
|August 22, 2025
Summary
Heavy metals (HMs) are toxic environmental pollutants that harm human health by disrupting cellular processes and causing DNA damage. Strategies like chelation therapy and exposure reduction can mitigate these adverse effects.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Toxicology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Heavy metals (HMs) like chromium, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead are significant environmental pollutants.
- Their toxicity poses a serious threat to human health through various biochemical disruptions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of HM biochemical properties and their effects.
- To discuss HM impacts at cellular, molecular, and genetic levels.
- To review therapeutic strategies and future research directions for HM toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of biochemical properties and toxicological effects of HMs.
- Analysis of cellular, molecular, and genetic mechanisms of HM toxicity.
- Synthesis of current therapeutic strategies and future research needs.
Main Results:
- HMs interfere with enzyme activity, protein synthesis, and energy metabolism.
- They disrupt cell membranes, cellular signaling, DNA integrity, and gene expression.
- HM exposure is linked to adverse effects on the nervous, renal, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems, and increased cancer risk.
Conclusions:
- Understanding HM toxicity mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- Multidisciplinary approaches and integrated interventions are needed to alleviate health risks.
- Further research should focus on elucidating toxicity mechanisms, improving treatments, and strengthening prevention.
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