Thimerosal in childhood vaccines contributes to accumulating mercury toxicity in the kidney |
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Authors: | Maria Fernanda Hornos Carneiro Christudas Morais Fernando Barbosa Jr |
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Institution: | 1. Centre for Kidney Disease Research, University of Queensland, School of Medicine, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, Australia;2. Laboratório de Toxicologia e Essencialidade de Metais, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeir?o Preto, Universidade de S?o Paulo, Ribeir?o Preto, SP, Brazil;3. Laboratório de Toxicologia e Essencialidade de Metais, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeir?o Preto, Universidade de S?o Paulo, Ribeir?o Preto, SP, Brazil |
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Abstract: | Mercury (Hg) is a hazardous chemical that accumulates in many cells and tissues, thereby producing toxicity. The kidney is a key target organ for Hg accumulation and toxicity. The contributing factors to Hg accumulation in humans include: (1) elemental and inorganic Hg exposure, often occurring by inhalation of Hg vapors; (2) exposure to methyl Hg (meHg), for example, through contaminated seafood; and (3) exposure to ethyl mercury (etHg) via thimerosal-containing vaccines. Systematic investigations on the toxic effects of etHg/thimerosal on the nervous system were carried out, and etHg/thimerosal emerged as a possible risk factor for autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. There is, however, little known about the mechanisms and molecular interactions underlying toxicity of etHg/thimerosal in the kidney, which is the focus of the current review. Susceptible populations such as infants, pregnant women, and the elderly are exposed to etHg through thimerosal-containing vaccines, and in-depth study of the potential adverse effects on the kidney is needed. In general, toxicity occurring in association with different forms of Hg is related to: intracellular thiol metabolism and oxidative stress reactions; mitochondrial function; intracellular distribution and build-up of calcium; apoptosis; expression of stress proteins; and also interaction with the cytoskeleton. Available evidence for the etHg-induced toxicity in the kidney was examined, and the main mechanisms and molecular interactions of cytotoxicity of etHg/thimerosal exposure in kidney described. Such accumulating knowledge may help to indicate molecular pathways that, if modulated, may better handle Hg-mediated toxicity. |
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Keywords: | thimerosal ethyl mercury kidney apoptosis oxidative stress |
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