Arsenic toxicity following Ayurvedic medication

Alternative forms of medicine like Ayurveda have witnessed a rise in global popularity over the recent decades. Drugs used in Ayurveda, particularly those of mineral origin can lead to toxic effects due to heavy metal overdose. Here, we report the case of a 53-year-old woman who presented with glove-and-stocking paresthesia and scaly plaques following the institution of Ayurvedic drugs containing arsenic for dermatitis. She also had a loss of distal proprioception and a hyperesthetic response to pinprick. Her blood analysis showed elevated arsenic levels; 12 times the acceptable upper limit, with normal lead, cadmium, mercury, and chromium levels. The drug was immediately stopped and there was a gradual but incomplete resolution of the paresthesia and distal weakness over the next several months. The risk of heavy metal toxicity should be briefed to the patient before the start of mineral Ayurvedic drugs. Monitoring serum levels while on these medications might help identify toxicities early and can result in the commencement of therapy at an early stage

Advances in reproductive toxicity of uranium and its mechanism / 局解手术学杂志

Objective Uranium, as a heavy metal material, has been used in civil and military activities in China, but it has also caused environmental pollution and human injury.In order to understand and mitigate this injury, scholars studied the damage effect of uranium through building animal models, and found that when uranium enters the animal body, it will accumulate in the body and cause damage to the body, among which the main accumulation organs are kidneys, bones, reproductive organs and so on.Sensitive organs of the role of reproductive organs is uranium, which attracted the attention of the experts, and expand the uranium exposed reproductive toxicity research.They found that the degree of toxicity of uranium is related to the time, dose and mode of uranium exposure, under certain exposure conditions, by changing the sex hormone levels in vivo, the expression of genes or proteins related to the reproductive disorders and excessive produce the mechanism, such as oxidative stress on the toxicity effect, decrease of childbirth pregnant, related to germ cell pathological histology change, and produce genetic reproductive toxicity to the offspring etc., which affect the reproductive system function, damage the health of the body.

Granulomatous Lung Disease: A Novel Complication following Metallosis from Hip Arthroplasty / 대한고관절학회지

A case of a female patient with local and systemic complications of metallosis, following catastrophic wear of a revised hip arthroplasty, is presented. The patient had a history of a fractured ceramic-on-ceramic implant, exchanged with a metal-on-polyethylene prosthesis. Systemic complications included sarcoidosis-like reactions, presenting as granulomatous lung disease, along with chorioretinitis, erythema nodosum, and cardiomyopathy. High local and circulating cobalt and chromium levels established the diagnosis. The patient underwent extensive debridement and implant revision. One year postoperatively, she had no respiratory symptoms or functional impairment. Local and systemic complications of metallosis after hip arthroplasty should be promptly recognized and treated operatively.

Phosphorus amendment competitively prevents chromium uptake and mitigates its toxicity in Spinacea oleracea L.

In this study, we assessed the role of phosphorus in preventing chromium uptake by plants. Two-factor complete randomized pot experiment (5x5 pattern) was conducted hydroponically with Spinacea oleracea L. (spinach), for 28 days in green house. Five concentrations of Cr (2.0, 3.5, 5.0, 6.5 and 8.0 mM), each amended with five concentrations of phosphorus (25, 50, 75, 100 and 125 mM) were supplied. With the phosphorus amendment in the growth medium, accumulation of chromium decreased up to 55% in root and 50% in shoot tissues. A 1.8-fold enhancement in total chlorophyll and 2-fold increase in the biomass of root and shoot were observed due to phosphorus amendment. Levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase and malondialdehyde were reduced by 27, 11.7, 38.1 and 45.5% in root tissues; and 27, 17.4, 32.3 and 35.1%, in shoot tissues, respectively. In conclusion, the phosphorus amendment has been shown not only to moderate the Cr-toxicity in S. oleracea but also enrich chlorophyll content as well as the biomass.

Effect of Consumption of Heavy Metals Contaminated Fish (Tilapia Oreochromis) on Metabolic Parameters in Rabbits.

This research paper presents the biochemical effect of the consumption of heavy metals contaminated fish on metabolic parameters in rabbit. Total glucose, cholesterol, protein and levels of alkaline phosphate, alkaline aminotransferase (ALT) together with aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the serum were measured. Compared with the control a significant decrease of total protein and total cholesterol (p< 0.01) was ascertained in the serum of the experimental groups. Total glucose level was level was significantly increased in the serum of the experimental (p< 0.01). The values of alkaline phosphate, ALT and AST significantly increased in the serum of the groups. The above results on the biochemical consumption profile indicate the toxic effect of the consumption of these contaminated fishes in rabbits.

Toxic effects of mercury, lead and gadolinium on vascular reactivity

Heavy metals have been used in a wide variety of human activities that have significantly increased both professional and environmental exposure. Unfortunately, disasters have highlighted the toxic effects of metals on different organs and systems. Over the last 50 years, the adverse effects of chronic lead, mercury and gadolinium exposure have been underscored. Mercury and lead induce hypertension in humans and animals, affecting endothelial function in addition to their other effects. Increased cardiovascular risk after exposure to metals has been reported, but the underlying mechanisms, mainly for short periods of time and at low concentrations, have not been well explored. The presence of other metals such as gadolinium has raised concerns about contrast-induced nephropathy and, interestingly, despite this negative action, gadolinium has not been defined as a toxic agent. The main actions of these metals, demonstrated in animal and human studies, are an increase of free radical production and oxidative stress and stimulation of angiotensin I-converting enzyme activity, among others. Increased vascular reactivity, highlighted in the present review, resulting from these actions might be an important mechanism underlying increased cardiovascular risk. Finally, the results described in this review suggest that mercury, lead and gadolinium, even at low doses or concentrations, affect vascular reactivity. Acting via the endothelium, by continuous exposure followed by their absorption, they can increase the production of free radicals and of angiotensin II, representing a hazard for cardiovascular function. In addition, the actual reference values, considered to pose no risk, need to be reduced.

Microsomal Ca2+ flux modulation as an indicator of heavy metal toxicity.

Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphatee (IP3), an intracellular messenger, releases Ca2+ from microsomes. Ca2+ plays a major role in regulating various cellular events like neural transmission and regulation of hormones and growth factors. Aluminum (Al), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) were reported to alter Ca2+-regulated events thereby causing neurotoxicity. Hence, an attempt was made characterize IP3 mediated Ca2+ release from rat brain microsomes under the influence of Al, Pb and Hg. Different concentrations of metals were tested over a designated time scale and their effects on IP3 mediated Ca2+ release from microsomes were monitored using Fura-2 technique. All the three metals inhibited IP3 mediated Ca2+ release, Pb being more potent. The order of potency of these three metals was Pb>Hg>Al. Except for Al, both Hg and Pb independently released Ca2+ from microsomes. Re-uptake of Ca2+ into microsomes was inhibited by all the three metals, Pb being more potent. Microsomal Ca2+-ATPase activity was also inhibited by all the three metals. These results suggest that neurotoxicity exerted by Al, Pb and Hg may be due to the interference of these metals with IP3 mediated calcium release and also interfering with the microsomal Ca2+ sequestration mechanism. Differential effects of heavy metal induced changes in Ca2+ flux can be used as an index of relative toxicity.