Title:Endothelium: A Target for Harmful Actions of Metals
VOLUME: 16 ISSUE: 3
Author(s):Dalton V. Vassallo*, Giulia A. Wiggers, Alessandra S. Padilha and Maylla R. Simões
Affiliation:Cardiac Electromechanical and Vascular Reactivity Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Av. Marechal Campos, 1468, Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Cardiovascular Physiology Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Pampa, BR 472, Km 592, Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul, Cardiac Electromechanical and Vascular Reactivity Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Av. Marechal Campos, 1468, Vitoria, Espirito Santo, Cardiac Electromechanical and Vascular Reactivity Laboratory, Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo, Av. Marechal Campos, 1468, Vitoria, Espirito Santo
Keywords:Heavy metals, endothelium, mercury, lead, cadmium, vascular reactivity.
Abstract:The use of heavy metals is closely linked to the history of mankind. They have been used
as important materials in a wide variety of human activities such as manufacturing utensils and
tools. Such extended use has significantly increased professional and environmental exposure to
mercury, lead and cadmium. These metals are known to produce hypertension in humans and animals
and, among other effects, they can also affect endothelial function. Results described here
suggest that mercury, lead and cadmium affect vascular reactivity, even at low doses or concentrations.
Several vascular actions are mediated by the endothelium via increasing the production of
free radicals and angiotensin II by local ACE stimulation. These results provide further evidence
that these toxic metals, even at low doses, are an environmental risk factor to the exposed population.
These results also suggest that continuous exposure to these metals, followed by their absorption
and progressive accumulation in the body, may be hazardous to cardiovascular function. Therefore,
the current reference values, which are considered safe, need to be reduced.
