Molecular mechanisms of lead toxicity

Abstract

Lead is a ubiquitous xenobiotic metal and because of its widespread industrial use is one of the most serious environmental pollutants. Lead is highly toxic and exposure to even low doses can produce adverse effects on all living organisms. In humans, lead exposure can affect virtually all body systems, resulting in severe health problems. On a molecular level, lead can alter or interfere with the activity of proteins and nucleic acids, ultimately resulting in changes in cell metabolism and physiology leading to pathologic states. Lead can also affect the functions of macromolecules, directly or indirectly, by inducing oxidative stress, which is regarded as a primary factor in pathophysiology of lead exposure.

Therapeutic potential of curcumin against lead-induced toxicity: A review

“…Oxidative stress is a major biomarker in the development of several disorders in disease manifestation such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, hepatic inflammation, chronic cardiac disease, neurodegenerative diseases and others 32 . However, at the molecular level it is difficult to limit lead toxicity on cellular damage 33 . The enzymatic functions of proteins and other cellular activities are affected by the presence of lead in the system 30 .…”

“…In addition, the induction of oxidative stress and damage of nucleic acids are other mechanisms of lead toxicity and exposure, which can result in several clinical symptoms of toxicity. Hence, the magnitude of exposure and cell types depends on the mechanism of toxicity and the levels of lead exposure (Figure 3) [33][34][35] .…”

“…Reactive oxygen species are by-products of biochemical processes in aerobic organisms and ROS concentration is regulated by the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione (GSH), super oxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) under normal conditions 12 . The imbalance between the production and scavenging of ROS results to oxidative stress, which could lead to ROS detoxification system impairment and increased production of ROS 1,33,34 . However, during oxidative stress, overproduction of free radicals results in negative effects on cells, tissues, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis 1,12,33 .…”

“…The imbalance between the production and scavenging of ROS results to oxidative stress, which could lead to ROS detoxification system impairment and increased production of ROS 1,33,34 . However, during oxidative stress, overproduction of free radicals results in negative effects on cells, tissues, inflammatory responses, and apoptosis 1,12,33 . Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are the primary results of increased production of ROS in the body system 36 .…”

Inorganic nutrients and heavy metals in some wild edible plants consumed by rural communities in Northern Uganda: Implications for human health

“…Pb has been used worldwide for centuries and is present in products such as car batteries, gasoline and paints leading to increased toxicity in humans [ 23 ]. In blood, Pb toxicity disrupts the functions of the digestive, circulatory, central nervous, respiratory and reproductive systems and everyday activities of enzymes [ 26 ]. Children are at a higher toxicity risk than adults because their body tissues are still young and susceptible to Pb contamination [ 27 ].…”