Heavy Metals and Human Health: Mechanistic Insight into Toxicity and Counter Defense System of Antioxidants

Heavy metals, which have widespread environmental distribution and originate from natural and anthropogenic sources, are common environmental pollutants. In recent decades, their contamination has increased dramatically because of continuous discharge in sewage and untreated industrial effluents. Because they are non-degradable, they persist in the environment; accordingly, they have received a great deal of attention owing to their potential health and environmental risks. Although the toxic effects of metals depend on the forms and routes of exposure, interruptions of intracellular homeostasis include damage to lipids, proteins, enzymes and DNA via the production of free radicals. Following exposure to heavy…

• NR
  National Research Foundation
• MO
  Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning

  Award: 2014R1A2A2A01006324
• NR
  National Research Foundation of Korea

  Awards: 2014R1A2A2A01006324, NRF-2013R1A1A2059308