The effects of heavy metals on biochemical processes in the human body (review)

Research article:  The effects of heavy metals on biochemical processes in the human body (review)

Author: R.I. Ibrahimov

Azerbaijan Medical University, 23 Bakikhanov Str., Baku AZ 1022, Azerbaijan For correspondence: iri-71@mail.ru

Accepted for publication: 05 June 2020

Abstract: Environment and human health are closely related. Heavy metals are priority pollutants, as they are highly toxic to living organisms in relatively low concentrations. The World Health Organizati- on considers them to be the most dangerous xenobiotics for human health. The paper reviews rese- arch on the toxic effects of heavy metals on biochemical processes in the human body and the clini- cal analysis of diseases caused by them. The author has presented the various mechanisms of heavy metal toxicity at the molecular level and shown the role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of di- seases of the cardiovascular, nervous and respiratory systems, associated with the action of heavy metals, on a sufficiently large material. The analysis of literature data demonstrates the significant role and necessity of further study of biochemical mechanisms of the development of pathological processes under chronic exposure to various toxic heavy metals in order to develop effective met- hods of chronic diseases treatment.

Keywords: Heavy metals, bioaccumulation, toxicity, biochemical disorders, complexing ability, oxidative stress 

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