A Narrative Review of Metallomic Studies: Revealing the Toxic Metal Burden in Tobacco Smokers

Flieger, Wojciech; Stankiewicz, Magdalena; Dzierżyński, Eliasz; Gawlik, Piotr; Pietrzyk, Łukasz; Łańcut, Mirosław; Walczak, Filip; Szymkiewicz, Anna; Flieger, Jolanta

doi:10.3390/ijms262311617

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A Narrative Review of Metallomic Studies: Revealing the Toxic Metal Burden in Tobacco Smokers

by

Wojciech Flieger

^1,2,*

,

Magdalena Stankiewicz

³,

Eliasz Dzierżyński

^1,2,

Piotr Gawlik

^1,2,

Łukasz Pietrzyk

²,

Mirosław Łańcut

⁴

,

Filip Walczak

⁵,

Anna Szymkiewicz

⁵ and

Jolanta Flieger

^6,*

¹

Department of Plastic Surgery, St. John’s Cancer Center, Jaczewskiego 7, 20-090 Lublin, Poland

²

Institute of Health Sciences, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1 H, 20-708 Lublin, Poland

³

Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Lublin, 20-059 Lublin, Poland

⁴

Experimental Research Center, John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Konstantynów 1 H, 20-708 Lublin, Poland

⁵

Holycross Cancer Center, Department of Genetic Engineering, Artwinskiego 3, 25-734 Kielce, Poland

⁶

Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a (Collegium Pharmaceuticum), 20-093 Lublin, Poland

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(23), 11617; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311617 (registering DOI)

Submission received: 14 October 2025 / Revised: 25 November 2025 / Accepted: 28 November 2025 / Published: 30 November 2025

(This article belongs to the Section Biochemistry)

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Abstract

Metallomics, which studies the role of metals in biological processes, is crucial for understanding the impact of elements on human health. It requires an integrated approach combining quantitative and functional methods, supported by advanced analytical techniques. A comprehensive understanding of metallomics considers the accumulation, speciation, and distribution of metals. In recent decades, an increasing number of studies have focused on determining metal levels in human tissues, particularly in the context of chronic diseases and developmental disorders. Levels of macro- and microelements, both essential and toxic, play a fundamental role in both physiological and pathological processes. Given the increasing health risks associated with addictions such as smoking, understanding the mechanisms of toxicity based on metallomic studies is crucial. This literature review synthesizes current advances in analytical techniques used to determine trace elements in biological samples, the accumulation of toxic metals, and the disruption of element homeostasis in tobacco smokers. The aim of this study is to identify key risks from tobacco-related metal exposure, thereby providing a deeper understanding of the long-term health consequences. The obtained results may constitute the basis for future directions of metallomic research.

Keywords: toxic metals; elemental homeostasis; bioaccumulation; elemental analysis; tobacco smokers

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MDPI and ACS Style

Flieger, W.; Stankiewicz, M.; Dzierżyński, E.; Gawlik, P.; Pietrzyk, Ł.; Łańcut, M.; Walczak, F.; Szymkiewicz, A.; Flieger, J. A Narrative Review of Metallomic Studies: Revealing the Toxic Metal Burden in Tobacco Smokers. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26, 11617. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311617

AMA Style

Flieger W, Stankiewicz M, Dzierżyński E, Gawlik P, Pietrzyk Ł, Łańcut M, Walczak F, Szymkiewicz A, Flieger J. A Narrative Review of Metallomic Studies: Revealing the Toxic Metal Burden in Tobacco Smokers. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025; 26(23):11617. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311617

Chicago/Turabian Style

Flieger, Wojciech, Magdalena Stankiewicz, Eliasz Dzierżyński, Piotr Gawlik, Łukasz Pietrzyk, Mirosław Łańcut, Filip Walczak, Anna Szymkiewicz, and Jolanta Flieger. 2025. "A Narrative Review of Metallomic Studies: Revealing the Toxic Metal Burden in Tobacco Smokers" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 26, no. 23: 11617. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311617

APA Style

Flieger, W., Stankiewicz, M., Dzierżyński, E., Gawlik, P., Pietrzyk, Ł., Łańcut, M., Walczak, F., Szymkiewicz, A., & Flieger, J. (2025). A Narrative Review of Metallomic Studies: Revealing the Toxic Metal Burden in Tobacco Smokers. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26(23), 11617. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms262311617

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A Narrative Review of Metallomic Studies: Revealing the Toxic Metal Burden in Tobacco Smokers

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