ijms-logo

Journal Browser

Journal Browser

Toxicology Research in Heavy Metals Metabolism

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: closed (15 December 2023) | Viewed by 4548

Special Issue Editor

Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, 70111 Szczecin, Poland
Interests: metabolism of trace elements; toxic elements; ecotoxicology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In connection with the development of our civilization, the presence of toxic heavy metals in the human environment is consistently increasing. Five toxic metals, including lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and chromium, are particularly poisonous and are relatively widespread. Due to their high affinity for sulfur, which is a component of sulfhydryl groups, in the human body, they cause changes in enzyme activity, which in turn have a profound impact on most biochemical processes. In the development of research on toxic heavy metals, it is especially important to identify the molecular mechanisms that cause negative effects in the body. Therefore, I invite researchers interested in the toxicology of heavy metals to submit papers that will deepen our knowledge of this very current topic. As a result, more effective preventive, diagnostic and therapeutic measures can be taken regarding diseases caused by heavy metal toxicity.

Prof. Dr. Dariusz Chlubek
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • heavy metals
  • toxicity
  • toxicology
  • ecotoxicology

Published Papers (2 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Other

29 pages, 13760 KiB  
Article
Microglia and Astroglia—The Potential Role in Neuroinflammation Induced by Pre- and Neonatal Exposure to Lead (Pb)
by Magdalena Gąssowska-Dobrowolska, Mikołaj Chlubek, Agnieszka Kolasa, Patrycja Tomasiak, Jan Korbecki, Katarzyna Skowrońska, Maciej Tarnowski, Marta Masztalewicz and Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(12), 9903; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24129903 - 08 Jun 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1611
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is one of the postulated mechanisms for Pb neurotoxicity. However, the exact molecular mechanisms responsible for its pro-inflammatory effect are not fully elucidated. In this study, we examined the role of glial cells in neuroinflammation induced by Pb exposure. We investigated how [...] Read more.
Neuroinflammation is one of the postulated mechanisms for Pb neurotoxicity. However, the exact molecular mechanisms responsible for its pro-inflammatory effect are not fully elucidated. In this study, we examined the role of glial cells in neuroinflammation induced by Pb exposure. We investigated how microglia, a type of glial cell, responded to the changes caused by perinatal exposure to Pb by measuring the expression of Iba1 at the mRNA and protein levels. To assess the state of microglia, we analyzed the mRNA levels of specific markers associated with the cytotoxic M1 phenotype (Il1b, Il6, and Tnfa) and the cytoprotective M2 phenotype (Arg1, Chi3l1, Mrc1, Fcgr1a, Sphk1, and Tgfb1). Additionally, we measured the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α). To assess the reactivity and functionality status of astrocytes, we analyzed the GFAP (mRNA expression and protein concentration) as well as glutamine synthase (GS) protein level and activity. Using an electron microscope, we assessed ultrastructural abnormalities in the examined brain structures (forebrain cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus). In addition, we measured the mRNA levels of Cxcl1 and Cxcl2, and their receptor, Cxcr2. Our data showed that perinatal exposure to Pb at low doses affected both microglia and astrocyte cells’ status (their mobilization, activation, function, and changes in gene expression profile) in a brain-structure-specific manner. The results suggest that both microglia and astrocytes represent a potential target for Pb neurotoxicity, thus being key mediators of neuroinflammation and further neuropathology evoked by Pb poisoning during perinatal brain development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicology Research in Heavy Metals Metabolism)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Other

Jump to: Research

16 pages, 3948 KiB  
Hypothesis
Iron Deficiency and Nephrotoxic Heavy Metals: A Dangerous Interplay?
by Pien Rawee, Daan Kremer, Ilja M. Nolte, Henri G. D. Leuvenink, Daan J. Touw, Martin H. De Borst, Stephan J. L. Bakker, Mark R. Hanudel and Michele F. Eisenga
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(6), 5315; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24065315 - 10 Mar 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2358
Abstract
Heavy metals are common in our environment, and all individuals are exposed to them to some extent. These toxic metals have several harmful effects on the body, including the kidney, which is a very sensitive organ. Indeed, heavy metal exposure has been linked [...] Read more.
Heavy metals are common in our environment, and all individuals are exposed to them to some extent. These toxic metals have several harmful effects on the body, including the kidney, which is a very sensitive organ. Indeed, heavy metal exposure has been linked to an increased risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its progression, which may be explained by the well-established nephrotoxic effects of these metals. In this hypothesis and narrative literature review, we will shed light on the potential role that another highly common problem in patients with CKD, iron deficiency, may play in the damaging effects of heavy metal exposure in this patient group. Iron deficiency has previously been linked with an increased uptake of heavy metals in the intestine due to the upregulation of iron receptors that also take up other metals. Furthermore, recent research suggests a role of iron deficiency in the retention of heavy metals in the kidney. Therefore, we hypothesize that iron deficiency plays a crucial role in the damaging effects of heavy metal exposure in patients with CKD and that iron supplementation might be a strategy to combat these detrimental processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicology Research in Heavy Metals Metabolism)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop