Toxic metal exposure as a possible risk factor for COVID-19 and other respiratory infectious diseases

Abstract

Multiple medical, lifestyle, and environmental conditions, including smoking and particulate pollution, have been considered as risk factors for CO rona VI rus D isease 2019 (COVID-19) susceptibility and severity. Taking into account the high level of toxic metals in both particulate matter (PM2.5) and tobacco smoke, the objective of this review is to discuss recent data on the role of heavy metal exposure in development of respiratory dysfunction, immunotoxicity, and severity of viral diseases in epidemiological and experimental studies, as to demonstrate the potential crossroads between heavy metal exposure and COVID-19 severity risk. The existing data demonstrate that As, Cd, Hg, and Pb exposure is associated with respiratory dysfunction and respiratory diseases (COPD, bronchitis). These observations corroborate laboratory findings on the role of heavy metal exposure in impaired mucociliary clearance, reduced barrier function, airway inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. The association between heavy metal exposure and severity of viral diseases, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus has been also demonstrated. The latter may be considered a consequence of adverse effects of metal exposure on adaptive immunity. Therefore, reduction of toxic metal exposure may be considered as a potential tool for reducing susceptibility and severity of viral diseases affecting the respiratory system, including COVID-19.

PM2.5, NO2, wildfires, and other environmental exposures are linked to higher Covid 19 incidence, severity, and death rates

“…Some researchers have postulated that exposure to incense sticks (Amoatey et al 2020 ), pesticides (Rajak et al 2021 ), and heavy metals (Skalny et al 2020 ) may increase risk of Covid 19 morbidity and mortality. It has been hypothesized that pesticides exposure may increase risk of Covid 19 by damaging the respiratory, immune, cardiovascular, hepatic, and nervous systems (Rajak et al 2021 ).…”

“…It has been hypothesized that pesticides exposure may increase risk of Covid 19 by damaging the respiratory, immune, cardiovascular, hepatic, and nervous systems (Rajak et al 2021 ). Many toxic heavy metals can damage the immune system, and human and animal studies have reported that toxic heavy metal exposure can increase risk of respiratory infections like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza (Skalny et al 2020 ). Some researchers have suggested that indoor incense exposure may increase Covid 19 risks (Amoatey et al 2020 ).…”

The effects of some essential and toxic metals/metalloids in COVID-19: A review

“… Calder, 2020 Calder et al, 2020 Celik et al, 2021 Chaturvedi et al, 2004 Culbertson and Culotta, 2021 de Almeida Brasiel, 2020 de Jesus and de Araú jo Andrade, 2020 Ersö z and Y ı lmaz, 2021 Grzywa-Celiń ska et al, 2020 Hultman and Pollard, 2015 Moghaddam et al, 2020 Muhammad et al, 2021 Rahman and Idid, 2021 Skalny et al, 2020 Vogel-Gonzá lez et al, 2021 Zeng et al, 2021 .…”

Assessment of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Al(III) Removal Capacity of Bacteria from Food and Gut Ecological Niches: Insights into Biodiversity to Limit Intestinal Biodisponibility of Toxic Metals

“…The metal is nephrotoxic and may induce various health disorders, such as damage to bones (osteoporosis), kidney tubules, the brain, and the testis [ 9 , 10 , 11 ]. It has also been suggested that Cd is involved in metabolic diseases and susceptibility to respiratory tract infections [ 12 , 13 ]. A Cd intake of 23.2 μg/day (less than half the safe intake, according to current guidelines) might increase the risk of chronic kidney disease, mortality from heart disease, cancer at any site, and Alzheimer’s disease [ 14 ].…”