Mechanisms and individuality in chromium toxicity in humans

With regards to health, chromium (Cr) is an ambiguous chemical element. Although it is considered to be an important micronutrient, it also is connected with several pathologies, including carcinogenicity. The mechanism of action of Cr and its compounds in humans is not yet fully understood. Current...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied toxicology 2020-09, Vol.40 (9), p.1183-1197
Main Authors: Pavesi, Thelma, Moreira, Josino Costa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Carcinogenesis
Carcinogenicity
Carcinogens
Chemical elements
Chromium
chromium susceptibility
chromium toxicity
DNA repair
formation of DNA‐Cr
formation of DNA‐protein‐Cr adducts
Genomic instability
polymorphism
Toxicity
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Summary:With regards to health, chromium (Cr) is an ambiguous chemical element. Although it is considered to be an important micronutrient, it also is connected with several pathologies, including carcinogenicity. The mechanism of action of Cr and its compounds in humans is not yet fully understood. Currently, three possible mechanisms have been proposed for carcinogenesis: Cr(VI)‐induced multistage carcinogenesis, genomic instability, and epigenetic modification. Therefore, in addition to the toxicity of this metal and its ions, human susceptibility to Cr‐induced pathologies depends on external factors and individual characteristics, such as enzymatic polymorphisms, carriers, endogenous reducing system, adduct formation and stability, and efficiency of DNA repair mechanisms, among other factors. In fact, the variability of individual molecular constitutive factors, such as individual polymorphisms, creates an individualized environment for Cr toxicity. This mini‐review contemplates the essential variables in this process. Chromium (Cr) is related to several pathologies including carcinogenicity. In addition to the toxicity, human susceptibility to Cr‐induced pathologies depends on external factors and individual characteristics, such as enzymatic polymorphisms, carriers, endogenous reducing system, adduct formation and stability, and efficiency of DNA repair mechanisms, among other factors. The variability of individual molecular constitutive factors, such as individual polymorphisms, creates an individualized environment for Cr toxicity. This mini‐review contemplates the essential variables in this process.
ISSN:0260-437X
1099-1263
DOI:10.1002/jat.3965