Toxicodynamics of Lead, Cadmium, Mercury and Arsenic- induced kidney toxicity and treatment strategy: A mini review

• Published in: Toxicology reports 2018-01, Vol.5, p.704-713
• Main Authors: Rana, Mohammad Nasiruddin, Tangpong, Jitbanjong, Rahman, Md. Masudur
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antioxidant; Heavy metals; Kidney toxicity; Oxidative stress; Proteinuria
• ISSN: 2214-7500; 2214-7500
• DOI: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2018.05.012

•Oxidative Stress is the key mechanism involved in Lead, Mercury, Cadmium and Arsenic-induced kidney toxicity.•Proteinuria is common to all heavy metals as manifestation of kidney damage.•Chelation therapy is recommended based on the dose size of heavy metals, though fatal drawbacks limit their success.•Possible effectiveness of plants and plants derived compound against heavy metals is due to their antioxidant activity.•Other possible effectiveness of plant includes protecting integrity of mitochondria, Ca2+ homeostasis and apoptosis regulation. Environmental pollution has become a concerning matter to human beings. Flint water crisis in the USA pointed out that pollution by heavy metal is getting worse day by day, predominantly by Lead, Cadmium, Mercury and Arsenic. Despite of not having any biological role in flora and fauna, they exhibit detrimental effect following exposure (acute or chronic). Even at low dose, they affect brain, kidney and heart. Oxidative stress has been termed as cause and effect in heavy metal-induced kidney toxicity. In treatment strategy, different chelating agent, vitamins and minerals are included, though chelating agents has been showed different fatal drawbacks. Interestingly, plants and plants derived compounds had shown possible effectiveness against heavy metals induced kidney toxicity. This review will provide detail information on toxicodynamics of Pb, Cd, Hg and As, treatment strategy along with the possible beneficiary role of plant derived compound to protect kidney.