Journal of Drug Metabolism & Toxicology
Open Access

Abstract

Liver and Cadmium Toxicity

Veronica Souza Arroyo, Karina Mart�nez Flores, Leticia Bucio Ortiz, Luis Enrique Gomez-Quiroz and Mar�a Concepcion Gutierrez-Ruiz

Cadmium (Cd) is an important environmental pollutant. This metal presents a serious threat for both, humans and animals health. The environmental risk can lead to the absorption of large quantities of Cd and its toxic action on the organism. It adversely affects some organs in humans and animals, including the liver, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, and testis. The liver and kidneys, which are the primary organs involved in the elimination of this metal, are especially sensitive to its toxic effects. The liver is the main target organ of Cd toxicity following both acute and chronic exposure. This review presents the current state of knowledge related to the cellular mechanisms of Cd toxicity in the liver. Different mechanisms are discussed: the disruption of the cellular antioxidant system and the decrease in thiol status, the generation of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress, the interference of biological metal homeostasis, involvement of inflammatory mediators, disruption of cell adhesion and cell damage leading to apoptosis.