Zinc as a countermeasure for cadmium toxicity.

Abstract

Cadmium (Cd) is an important environmental pollutant and long-term Cd exposure is closely related to autoimmune diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and hepatic dysfunction. Zinc (Zn) is an essential metal that plays key roles in protein structure, catalysis, and regulation of their function. Numerous studies have shown that Zn can reduce Cd toxicity; however, the underlying mechanisms have not been extensively explored. Preclinical studies have revealed direct competition for sarcolemmal uptake between these two metals. Multiple sarcolemmal transporters participate in Cd uptake, including Zn transporters, calcium channels, and DMT1 (divalent metal transporter 1). Zn also induces several protective mechanisms, including MT (metallothionein) induction and favorable redox homeostasis. This review summarizes current knowledge related to the role of Zn and metal transporters in reducing Cd toxicity and discusses potential future directions of related research.

• Authors: Hai-Tao Yu, Juan Zhen, Ji-Yan Leng, Lu Cai, Hong-Lei Ji, Bradley B Keller
• Journal: Acta pharmacologica Sinica (Acta Pharmacol Sin) Vol. 42 Issue 3 Pg. 340-346 (Mar 2021) ISSN: 1745-7254 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 32284539 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Antioxidants
• Cation Transport Proteins
• Reactive Oxygen Species
• Cadmium
• Metallothionein
• Zinc

Topics

• Animals
• Antioxidants (metabolism, pharmacology)
• Cadmium (metabolism, toxicity)
• Cation Transport Proteins (metabolism)
• Cell Line, Tumor
• Humans
• Metallothionein (metabolism)
• Reactive Oxygen Species (metabolism)
• Zinc (metabolism, pharmacology)