Perspectives in Endocrine Toxicity of Heavy Metals—A Review

• Published in: Biological trace element research Vol. 160; no. 1; pp. 1 - 14
• Main Author: Rana, S. V. S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer-Verlag 01.07.2014; Springer US; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: adrenal glands; animal ovaries; Animals; antioxidants; Arsenic; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biotechnology; Cadmium; copper; diabetes mellitus; Endocrine Glands - metabolism; Endocrine Glands - pathology; Endocrine system; Endocrine System Diseases - chemically induced; Environmental health; Female; genetic markers; Heavy Metal Poisoning; Heavy metals; homeostasis; Hormones; Hormones - metabolism; Humans; insulin; lead; Life Sciences; Male; Mercury; Metals, Heavy - metabolism; Metals, Heavy - toxicity; Nickel; Nutrition; occupational exposure; Oncology; pancreas; Poisoning - metabolism; Poisoning - pathology; protective effect; Reproduction; reproductive performance; reproductive toxicology; steroidogenesis; testes; Thyroid; thyroid hormones; Toxicity; Testis; Ovary; Reproductive and endocrine toxicity; Adrenals; Lead; Mercury cadmium; Pancreas; Thyroid
• ISSN: 0163-4984; 1559-0720; 1559-0720
• DOI: 10.1007/s12011-014-0023-7

An attempt has been made to review the endocrine/hormonal implications of a few environmentally significant metals, viz, lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, arsenic and nickel, in man and animals. Special emphasis has been given to the adrenals, thyroid, testis, ovary and pancreas. Toxic metals can cause structural and functional changes in the adrenal glands. Their effects on steroidogenesis have been reviewed. It has been reported that thyroid hormone kinetics are affected by a number of metallic compounds. Occupational exposure to a few of these metals can cause testicular injury and sex hormone disturbances. Protective effects of a few antioxidants on their reproductive toxicity have also been discussed. Information gathered on female reproductive toxicity of heavy metals shows that exposure to these metals can lead to disturbances in reproductive performance in exposed subjects. Certain metals can cause injury to the endocrine pancreas. Exposure to them can cause diabetes mellitus and disturb insulin homeostasis. The need to develop molecular markers of endocrine toxicity of heavy metals has been suggested. Overall information described in this review is expected to be helpful in planning future studies on endocrine toxicity of heavy metals.