A review of important heavy metals toxicity with special emphasis on nephrotoxicity and its management in cattle

Abstract

Toxicity with heavy metals has proven to be a significant hazard with several health problems linked to it. Heavy metals bioaccumulate in living organisms, pollute the food chain, and possibly threaten the health of animals. Many industries, fertilizers, traffic, automobile, paint, groundwater, and animal feed are sources of contamination of heavy metals. Few metals, such as aluminum (Al), may be eliminated by the elimination processes, but other metals like lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Ca) accumulate in the body and food chain, leading to chronic toxicity in animals. Even if these metals have no biological purpose, their toxic effects are still present in some form that is damaging to the animal body and its appropriate functioning. Cadmium (Cd) and Pb have negative impacts on a number of physiological and biochemical processes when exposed to sub-lethal doses. The nephrotoxic effects of Pb, As, and Cd are well known, and high amounts of naturally occurring environmental metals as well as occupational populations with high exposures have an adverse relationship between kidney damage and toxic metal exposure. Metal toxicity is determined by the absorbed dosage, the route of exposure, and the duration of exposure, whether acute or chronic. This can lead to numerous disorders and can also result in excessive damage due to oxidative stress generated by free radical production. Heavy metals concentration can be decreased through various procedures including bioremediation, pyrolysis, phytoremediation, rhizofiltration, biochar, and thermal process. This review discusses few heavy metals, their toxicity mechanisms, and their health impacts on cattle with special emphasis on the kidneys.

Oxidative Stress in Pregnancy

“…ROS, including hydroperoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and singlet oxygen, are generated as a result of Pb poisoning [172]. Lead generates ROS, which leads to oxidative stress that causes cellular damage and can cause neurodegeneration and kidney and liver damage [173][174][175]. Oxidative stress as a mechanism of Pb toxicity in the kidney shows that Pb exposure causes an increase in apoptosis in the kidney [175].…”

“…Lead generates ROS, which leads to oxidative stress that causes cellular damage and can cause neurodegeneration and kidney and liver damage [173][174][175]. Oxidative stress as a mechanism of Pb toxicity in the kidney shows that Pb exposure causes an increase in apoptosis in the kidney [175]. Pb has been shown to inhibit the activity of 5aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, resulting in hemoglobin oxidation and lipid peroxidation, which can lead to erythrocyte hemolysis [176].…”

Emerging insights into the impacts of heavy metals exposure on health, reproductive and productive performance of livestock

“…These reviews have elucidated the mechanisms by which heavy metals enter the animal body, their accumulation in tissues, and the resultant adverse effects on health. Some studies have highlighted the detrimental effects of heavy metals on immune function, oxidative stress, and reproductive functions in different livestock species ( Garcia et al, 2017 ; Wang et al, 2019 ; Patel et al, 2021 ; Tahir and Alkheraije, 2023 ). Heavy metal contamination in livestock environments poses not only health risks to animals but also potential hazards to human consumers through the food chain.…”

Industrial impact on sustainable dairy farms: Essential elements, hazardous metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in forage and cow's milk

“…In particular, HMs and metalloids, such as arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg), are toxic to humans and animals. Previous researchers have evaluated the risk to human health of these metals, and found that Zn and Cr in soil and dust falls increase the probability of cancer by up 50 % [ 11 , 12 ]. They are not biodegradable and can form free radicals that alter DNA and lipid peroxidation, eventually causing carcinogenic processes, autoimmune inflammation, and tissue toxicity in the nervous system, liver and kidneys [ 13 ].…”