Heavy Metal Exposure on Health
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Toxicology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 August 2025 | Viewed by 67
Special Issue Editor
Interests: sex gender physiology; neurological diseases; bioactive compounds; drug delivery system; in vitro toxicology; metal toxicity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Heavy metals are chemical elements characterized by high density and toxicity, even at low concentrations. Human exposure to these substances has significantly increased due to industrialization, mining activities, pesticide use, and rising environmental pollution. Their widespread presence in water, soil, and air poses a serious threat to public health, with harmful effects that can manifest both in the short and long term. Their toxicity operates through various biological mechanisms, including oxidative stress, enzyme inhibition, disruption of cell signalling, DNA damage. This Special Issue aims to provide an indepth examination of the complex biological and molecular mechanisms through which heavy metal exposure induces toxicity and contributes to the development of various diseases. Specifically, it will explore the interactions between heavy metals and cellular systems, with a focus on oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, epigenetic alterations, and DNA damage key factors in the onset of neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, oncological, and metabolic disorders.
At the same time, this collection of studies seeks to investigate innovative strategies to mitigate the harmful effects of toxic metal exposure. Emerging therapeutic approaches will be analysed, including the use of chelating agents, antioxidants, and epigenetic modulation strategies, as well as preventive interventions aimed at reducing environmental exposure and identifying early biomarkers of toxicity.
We therefore invite the scientific community to contribute with comprehensive reviews, original research studies, and innovative perspectives that can expand our understanding of this issue and pave the way for new solutions to protect human and environmental health.
Dr. Rosanna Mallamaci
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- heavy metals
- toxic metal exposure
- oxidative stress
- mitochondrial dysfunction
- epigenetic alterations
- physiological and molecular pathways of cellular toxicology
- biomarkers of toxicity
- chelating agents
- antioxidants
- therapies or treatments
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