Biometals最新文献

Cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) ions are highly toxic elements present in the water, soil and sediments of the Yucatan Peninsula. The use of Cd- and Pb-resistant microorganisms as natural biosorbents could be considered an innovative strategy for the bioremediation of ecosystems contaminated with these ions. In this investigation, halophilic bacteria of the genus Brachyobacterium were identified that were tolerant to high concentrations of metal ions isolated from the coasts of Isla Arena, Mexico. Sediment parameters showed pH values ​​ > 7.6 and < 8.5; temperatures > 30 °C and < 33 °C; salinity > 2.0% and < 4.2%; conductivity > 2411 µs/cm and < 8240 µs/cm; and total solids > 1204 ppm and < 4193 ppm. Isolates S1p and S1a were genetically identified as Brachybacterium paraconglomeratum and Brachybacterium saurashtrense, both with 99.7% identity, according to the software employed. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ​​indicated a tolerance of 1656 mg/L of Pb for both strains; while for Cd, the tolerance values ​​were 591 mg/L and 236 mg/L for S1p and S1a, respectively. Additionally, FT-IR analysis demonstrated that, most likely the functional groups involved in this metal-bacteria interaction are OH-, NH-, and/or COOH-, associated with proteins, lipids and fatty acids in cell walls of bacteria, as also reported by other authors. In this study, we observed that, at a pH of 6.5 and a time of 48 h, a maximum biosorption capacity of 58 mg/L was obtained. This work presents the biosorption capacity of cadmium and leads ions from halophilic bacteria of the genus Brachybacterium isolated from undisturbed sites and opens the possibility of exploring this methodology in other scenarios.

The most prevalent neurodegenerative illness is Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aluminium chloride (AlCl₃) is a heavy metals that produces several neurodegenerative diseases, commonly AD. AlCl₃ easily goes through the blood-brain barrier and reaches to brain. In this study, we reviewed literature, highlighting the various molecular mechanisms targeting AlCl₃-induced neurodegenerative disorders like AD in numerous in vivo and in vitro models. AlCl₃ can cause conformational changes in the beta-sheet of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide that lead to the aggregation of Aβ in the brain's neuronal cells. AlCl₃ can also decrease the expression of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), which is essential for evading tau aggregation and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) formation. It can increase acetylcholinesterase (AChE) levels in the brain, which can produce cognitive impairment. AlCl₃ also produces calcium (Ca²⁺) and iron dyshomeostasis in neuronal cells. It activates various inflammatory mediators such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). In addition, AlCl₃ can increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which induce telomere degradation, may initiate telomere dysfunction that can initiate neuroinflammation, and induce cellular senescence. AlCl₃ may increase the expression of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3β), which produces various cognitive impairments, leading to AD. Various therapeutic techniques like chelation, antioxidant, and drug therapy are used to treat AD, but a better-targeted approach and a deeper understanding of the molecular basis of Alzheimer's due to AlCl₃ intoxication are crucial. AlCl₃-induced neurotoxicity involves mitochondrial disruption, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and DNA impairment, necessitating further research for treatment against aluminium (Al)-induced AD. AlCl₃ can cause neurodegenerative diseases like AD, but understanding its molecular mechanisms is challenging due to its interaction with biological systems.

In this study, the bioaccumulation levels, the geochemical distributions and the ecotoxicological risk levels of potential toxic elements (PTEs: Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Hg and Pb) were determined in water and fish (Rainbow trout) collected from 15 different ponds in the Black Sea coastal basin. Among the PTEs in muscle tissue, Fe was determined to be at the highest level, while Cd and Co were at the lowest level. It was observed that As and Mn were above the maximum permissible levels. Water Quality Index (WQI) values were excellent at all stations, and no pollution levels were detected that would threaten human health according to the Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) and the Heavy Metal Evaluation Index. The metal pollution index level in fish produced in inland waters in the study area was less than 2 (0.78), indicating that there may not be a potential health risk due to the bioaccumulation pattern. However, the target hazard coefficient (THQ) for As was > 1 at all stations except S1 and S15, and the hazard index was > 1 at all stations except S1, suggesting the possibility of non-carcinogenic adverse health effects. When evaluated in terms of total cancer risk level, it suggests that there may be a cancer risk due to metal accumulation in all stations except S1.

Metallo-herb complex (MHC) is a promising frontier in biomedical research, combining the unique pharmacological potential of phyto elements with the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of metal ions. Recently, MHC has been growing rapidly because of its biodiversity activities and bio-environmental friendliness. Keeping this in mind, our review article illustrates different strategies for the formation of MHC. This study presents the different metals which are used for the production of MHC, and also illustrates the factors affecting for the production of MHC. Plant secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, and polysaccharides serves as effective ligands, providing chelating sites to metal ions, resulting metal coordination and improves pharmacological activities. We also present the different synthesis methods using plant secondary metabolites that have been employed to develop these complexes. MHC formation is a one-step reaction and increases bioavailability and elicits different pharmacological activities like antidiabetic activity, antioxidant, antiviral activity, antimicrobial activity, anticancer activity, anti-inflammatory activity, hepatoprotective activity, and neuroprotective activity. MHC is used in drug delivery and biomedical research and opens new avenues for the development of novel, effective, and biocompatible therapeutic agents.

Curcumin, a potent polyphenolic compound found in turmeric, and cobalt, an essential elemental metal, have garnered attention in recent years due to their diverse pharmacological activities and biological significance. This review aims to explore the interactions between curcumin and cobalt, shedding light on their therapeutic potential in various health conditions and their implications for toxicity. Curcumin and cobalt exhibit distinct pharmacological properties, with curcumin demonstrating a wide range of therapeutic effects across different health conditions. Cobalt, on the other hand, is essential for biological processes but can also lead to toxicity at elevated levels. The formation of metal-curcumin complexes, particularly the cobalt-curcumin complex, presents an intriguing avenue for enhancing the bioavailability and efficacy of curcumin and unveiling novel properties with potential applications in cancer treatment, antimicrobial activity, and radioprotection. Moreover, this review delves into the mechanisms underlying curcumin's ability to counteract the toxic effects of cobalt and discusses the challenges and innovative approaches to improving curcumin's efficacy in mitigating metal toxicity. Through in vitro and in vivo studies, researchers have demonstrated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial effects of cobalt-curcumin complexes, highlighting their promising therapeutic potential. The present review discusses how curcumin can counterbalance the toxic effects of cobalt through metal complex formation, offering new insights into potential therapeutic interventions for heavy metal poisoning.

Lead (Pb) contamination in phosphate mining wasteland soils severely inhibits plant growth and compromises ecological safety, thereby necessitating long-term remediation strategies to restore ecosystem functions. Pot experiments were conducted to evaluate the synergistic effects of microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) and magnesium polypeptide (MP) amendments on celery growth and the restructuring of rhizosphere microbial communities. Under Pb stress (200 mg/kg), Pb accumulation in celery was significantly reduced by the combined MICP-MP treatment, with concentrations decreasing to 4.49, 0.26, and 1.93 mg/kg in roots, stems, and leaves, respectively; concurrently, plant growth and development were promoted. Correlation analysis revealed that the remediation-induced enhancement of soil physicochemical properties acted as a primary environmental driver, showing a significant negative correlation with exchangeable Pb content. The transformation of Pb from high-risk, bioavailable exchangeable forms to low-risk, stable fractions, such as carbonate-bound and Fe/Mn oxide-bound forms, was successfully promoted by the treatment, concomitant with enhanced soil physicochemical properties and biological activity. Furthermore, rigorous compositional analysis demonstrated that the MICP-MP treatment significantly enriched beneficial bacterial taxa, such as Nocardiopsis and Planococcus. These shifts in community composition played a key role in enhancing the soil bacterial community's adaptation to Pb stress. In summary, Pb-induced phytotoxicity was alleviated, and rhizosphere microbial stability and assembly were modulated by the MICP-peptide combination, providing new insights into plant-microbe interactions under heavy metal stress.

Extensive growth in the production of nanoparticles (NPs) together with increased usage in a variety of consumer products has introduced potential health risks amongst organisms, humans and ecosystems. Unique physico-chemical properties of nanoparticles facilitate their entry, bioaccumulation and subsequent interaction with biounterfaces in diverse cellular systems. These nano bio-interfaces occur in different cells/organ systems and contribute to selective toxicity through a cross talk amongst couple of mechanisms viz. oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, DNA damage and redox signaling pathways. Present review describes the role of these mechanisms especially in teratogenicity induced by metallic nanoparticles. Available data suggests that generation of ROS and oxidative stress are the predominant mechanisms of NP induced materno-fetal toxicity. They do trigger inflammatory responses in the fetus and lead to structural abnormalities. Exposure to NPs induces apoptosis and DNA damage that result in fetal cytotoxicity. Autophagy has been recognized as a major form of cell death encountered during pregnancy in NP treated models. It may involve oocytogenesis, implantation, placentation, embryogenesis and preterm delivery. Vascular signaling and toll like receptors are also involved in the feto-toxicity of NPs. It is concluded that mechanism based high throughput in vitro screening of NPs can predict the genesis of teratogenicity. A better understanding of teratogenicity induced by NPs is not only essential for health risk assessment but also for the design and synthesis of novel and safer nanomaterials.

Bread wheat is the staple food, but the concentration of mineral micronutrient, Copper (Cu) is relatively low with limited bioavailability. This study investigates the various copper-associated proteins in bread wheat using high-throughput systematic bioinformatics approaches. The wheat proteome was investigated for putative copper-associated proteins, and 47 Copper-binding proteins (CBPs) and 24 Copper transporter proteins (CTPs) were shortlisted. Out of these proteins, 11 were reported as common proteins and predicted to perform both functions. The identified 60 putative proteins showed diverse coordination geometry when bound to Cuprous (Cu⁺) and Cupric (Cu²⁺) ions. The Cysteine, Histidine, Glutamate, and Aspartate (CHED) amino acid residues were mostly found in the binding pockets of the proteins bound to copper. Functional classification and subcellular localisation of these proteins were also performed using sequence-based and annotation-based tools. Proteins were segregated based on their family, subfamily, functional classes and gene ontology (GO) terms, and a comprehensive report was prepared. A network analysis of the shortlisted proteins was also done, and network clusters were made using annotation tools. This report highlights the diverse roles of copper-associated proteins in the proper functioning of the plant and explains their importance in the major functions performed by the plant cell, like energy production, photosynthesis, plant growth and development, and maintaining homeostasis.

Macroelements and microelements/ trace elements are vital for human physiological processes. Alterations in these elements have been linked to various pathological conditions, including colorectal cancer (CRC), a significant cause of cancer-related mortality. This study investigated the concentrations of macroelements and microelements across different stages of CRC and compared them with non-neoplastic colon tissues. Additionally, four toxic elements (Hg, As, Cd, and Pb) were analysed in these tissues. Sixty tissue samples were prospectively collected from patients undergoing CRC resections and large bowel mucosal tissue samples without tumour (n=10) were also collected. The concentrations of 21 elements, including macro and microelements, were quantified using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Data analysis was performed using RStudio and SPSS software version 30. Significant differences in the concentrations of K, Mg, P, Si, Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, and Co were observed across different colorectal cancer and non-neoplastic tissues. Heavy metals such as Hg, Cd, and As were undetectable in all tissues, except for one control sample containing 2.44 µg/g of Pb. The Cu/Zn ratio was significantly lower in advanced CRC (stages III-IV) compared to early stages (I-II). Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Si, Cr, P, and Co concentrations were significantly associated with CRC stages. Fe levels are also associated with metastasis and tumour site. Tumour size was linked to Na, K, and Mg, while disease spread (localised vs. advanced) was associated with K, Mn, Zn, Si, Cr, and P. These findings highlight dynamic alterations in element concentrations across different stages of CRC. This elemental profiling could form the basis of future research into stage-specific biomarkers or prognostic indicators in CRC.