Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known heavy metal and environmental toxicant and pollutant worldwide, being largely present in every kind of item such as plastic (toys), battery, paints, ceramics, contaminated water, air, soil, food, fertilizers, and cigarette smoke. Nowadays, it represents an important research area for the scientific community mainly for its effects on public health. Due to a half-life ranging between 15 and 30 years, Cd owns the ability to accumulate in organs and tissues, exerting deleterious effects. Thus, even at low doses, a Cd prolonged exposure may cause a multiorgan toxicity. Mitochondria are key intracellular targets for Cd-induced cytotoxicity, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. The present review is aimed to clarify the effects of Cd on mitochondria and, particularly, on the mitochondrial electron transport chain.
Highlights
Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal without known biological function in humans
The metabolic energy derived from oxidation of carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids is used to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through a process called oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) (Milenkovic et al, 2017)
Four protons are transported from the matrix across the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) per two electrons passed from NADH to Q (Sazanov, 2015)
Summary
Received: 09 September 2020 Accepted: 05 November 2020 Published: 30 November 2020. Citation: Branca JJV, Pacini A, Gulisano M, Taddei N, Fiorillo C and Becatti M (2020) Cadmium-Induced Cytotoxicity: Effects on Mitochondrial. Cadmium (Cd) is a well-known heavy metal and environmental toxicant and pollutant worldwide, being largely present in every kind of item such as plastic (toys), battery, paints, ceramics, contaminated water, air, soil, food, fertilizers, and cigarette smoke. Nowadays, it represents an important research area for the scientific community mainly for its effects on public health. Mitochondria are key intracellular targets for Cd-induced cytotoxicity, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully elucidated. The present review is aimed to clarify the effects of Cd on mitochondria and, on the mitochondrial electron transport chain
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