Peraza MA, Ayala-Fierro F, Barber DS, Casarez E, Rael LT.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of
Arizona, Tucson 85721-0207, USA. peraza@toxic.pharm.arizona.edu
There is growing evidence that micronutrient intake has a significant effect
on the toxicity and carcinogenesis caused by various chemicals. This paper
examines the effect of micronutrient status on the toxicity of four
nonessential metals: cadmium, lead, mercury, and arsenic. Unfortunately, few
studies have directly examined the effect of dietary deficiency or
supplementation on metal toxicity. More commonly, the effect of dietary
alteration must be deduced from the results of mechanistic studies. We have
chosen to separate the effect of micronutrients on toxic metals into three
classes: interaction between essential micronutrients and toxic metals during
uptake, binding, and excretion; influence of micronutrients on the metabolism
of toxic metals; and effect of micronutrients on secondary toxic effects of
metals. Based on data from mechanistic studies, the ability of micronutrients
to modulate the toxicity of metals is indisputable. Micronutrients interact
with toxic metals at several points in the body: absorption and excretion of
toxic metals; transport of metals in the body; binding to target proteins;
metabolism and sequestration of toxic metals; and finally, in secondary
mechanisms of toxicity such as oxidative stress.
Therefore, people eating a diet deficient in micronutrients will be
predisposed to toxicity from nonessential metals.
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