Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods 

About: Toxicology Mechanisms and Methods is an academic journal published by Informa. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Oxidative stress & Medicine. It has an ISSN identifier of 1537-6516. Over the lifetime, 1524 publications have been published receiving 24286 citations.

The effects of heavy metals on human metabolism.

Abstract: As technology continues to advance, heavy metals in drinking water have exceeded recommended limits from regulators around the world. The main source of human exposure to heavy metals is from contaminated drinking water. The effects of drinking water contaminated with heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead, nickel, cadmium and mercury, have gradually caught the attention of the relevant departments and personnel. It is well known that occupational exposure to heavy metals occurs as a result of using these metals in a variety of industrial processes in and/or a variety of materials, including color pigments and alloys. A series of adverse effects on human metabolism has resulted from exposure to heavy metal-contaminated drinking water, which has been recorded from around the world. The general mechanism of heavy metal toxicity is through the production of reactive oxygen species, the appearance of oxidative damage, and subsequent adverse effects on health. Therefore, water contaminated with heavy metals causes high morbidity and mortality worldwide. In order to address concern regarding the health effects of different heavy metals, this paper reviews its sources, distribution and effects of heavy metal on human metabolism.HIGHLIGHTSThe accumulation of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium and nickel will destroy the main metabolic process of human body.Redox reactions in biological systems are caused by carcinogenic metal ions such as nickel and arsenic. The free radicals produced by these reactions cause oxidative damage to proteins and DNA.The accumulation of heavy metals eventually produces reactive oxygen species that can cause oxidative stress, which may lead to the production of various diseases.

In Silico Tools for Sharing Data and Knowledge on Toxicity and Metabolism: Derek for Windows, Meteor, and Vitic

Abstract: Lhasa Limited is a not-for-profit organization that exists to promote the sharing of data and knowledge in chemistry and the life sciences. It has developed the software tools Derek for Windows, Meteor, and Vitic to facilitate such sharing. Derek for Windows and Meteor are knowledge-based expert systems that predict the toxicity and metabolism of a chemical, respectively. Vitic is a chemically intelligent toxicity database. An overview of each software system is provided along with examples of the sharing of data and knowledge in the context of their development. These examples include illustrations of (1) the use of data entry and editing tools for the sharing of data and knowledge within organizations; (2) the use of proprietary data to develop nonconfidential knowledge that can be shared between organizations; (3) the use of shared expert knowledge to refine predictions; (4) the sharing of proprietary data between organizations through the formation of data-sharing groups; and (5) the use of pr...

Dose-dependent in-vivo toxicity assessment of silver nanoparticle in Wistar rats

Abstract: This study aims to suggest the limits of silver nanoparticle (AgNP) uses for medicinal purpose and was performed to explore the effect of various doses of silver nanoparticle in rats. Four different doses of AgNP (4, 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) were injected intravenously. For safety evaluation of injected AgNP, body weight, organ coefficient, whole blood count, and biochemistry panel assay for liver function enzyme (AST, ALT, ALP, and GGTP), comet assay, ROS, and histological parameter were performed; 10–12 week old animals were randomly divided into groups of six individuals each for control, and doses of 40, 20, 10, and 4 mg/kg AgNP injected. Significant changes were observed (p 20 mg/kg) is toxic.

Oxidative stress and cardiac hypertrophy: a review.

Abstract: Cardiac hypertrophy (CH) is an adaptive response of the heart to pressure overload. It is a common pathological feature in the natural course of some major cardiovascular diseases, like, hypertension and myocardial infarction. Cardiac hypertrophy is strongly associated with an increased risk of heart failure and sudden cardiac death. The complex and dynamic pathophysiological mechanisms of CH has been the focus of intense scientific investigation, in an effort to design preventive and curative strategies. Oxidative stress has been identified as one of the key contributing factors in the development of cardiac hypertrophy. In this review, evidences supporting the oxidative stress as a cause of cardiac hypertrophy with emphasis on mitochondrial oxidative stress and possible options for pharmacological interventions have been discussed. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) also activate a broad variety of hypertrophy signaling kinases and transcription factors, like, MAP kinase, NF K-B, etc. In addition to profound...

Brain regional heterogeneity and toxicological mechanisms of organophosphates and carbamates.

Abstract: The brain is a well-organized, yet highly complex, organ in the mammalian system. Most investigators use the whole brain, instead of a selected brain region(s), for biochemical analytes as toxicological endpoints. As a result, the obtained data is often of limited value, since their significance is compromised due to a reduced effect, and the investigators often arrive at an erroneous conclusion(s). By now, a plethora of knowledge reveals the brain regional variability for various biochemical/neurochemical determinants. This review describes the importance of brain regional heterogeneity in relation to cholinergic and noncholinergic determinants with particular reference to organophosphate (OP) and carbamate pesticides and OP nerve agents.