Mercury toxicity and detection using chromo-fluorogenic chemosensors

Mercury (Hg), this non-essential heavy metal released from both industrial and natural sources entered into living bodies, and cause grievous detrimental effects to the human health and ecosystem. The monitoring of Hg2+ excessive accumulation can be beneficial to fight against the risk associated with mercury toxicity to living systems. Therefore, there is an emergent need of novel and facile analytical approaches for the monitoring of mercury levels in various environmental, industrial, and biological samples. The chromo-fluorogenic chemosensors possess the attractive analytical parameters of low-cost, enhanced detection ability with high sensitivity, simplicity, rapid on-site monitoring ability, etc. This review was narrated to summarize the mercuric ion selective chromo-fluorogenic chemosensors reported in the year 2020. The design of sensors, mechanisms, fluorophores used, analytical performance, etc. are summarized and discussed

Unusual PLS application for Pd(ii) sensing in extremely acidic solutions

An economic and extremely selective device for Pd(ii) determination in very acidic solutions, TazoC-Mar@ is presented. The sensor was prepared via an ion exchange technique of an azoic ligand, (2-(tetrazolylazo)-1,8 dihydroxy naphthalene-3,6,-disulphonic acid), named TazoC, on a Macroporous Strong Anion Exchange Resin, namely Marathon® (Dow Chemical-USA). The TazoC-Mar@ rapidly forms complexes with palladium(ii) ions, which give an intense blue colour to the solid phase, even at low pH. The reaction is highly selective and no other metal ions react with the device at this pH. Moreover, the quantification of Pd(ii) is reliable when applying partial least squares regression (PLS) to relate the signal to the metal ion concentration. The regression model gives a good fit and correct predictions of Pd(ii) concentrations in unknown samples. The method presented here is highly sensitive with an LOD and LOQ equal to 0.2 nM and 0.5 nM, respectively

Simple solid-phase spectrophotometric method for free iron(III) determination

A simple and rapid solid-phase spectrophotometric procedure to determine free Fe(III) in environmental and biological samples is proposed. In particular, a deferoxamine (DFO) self assembled monolayer on mesoporous silica (DFO SAMMS) is developed and here applied as a sensor for iron(III). The solid product became brownish when put in contact with iron(III) solutions; so an immediate application as colorimetric sensor is considered. In order to optimize the DFO SAMMS synthesis and to obtain the best product for iron(III) sensing, a factorial experimental design is performed selecting the maximum absorption at 425 nm as response. The robustness of the spectrophotometric method is also proved

Arsenic toxicity: Molecular targets and therapeutic agents

High arsenic (As) levels in food and drinking water, or under some occupational conditions, can precipitate chronic toxicity and in some cases cancer. Millions of people are exposed to unacceptable amounts of As through drinking water and food. Highly exposed individuals may develop acute, subacute, or chronic signs of poisoning, characterized by skin lesions, cardiovascular symptoms, and in some cases, multi-organ failure. Inorganic arsenite(III) and organic arsenicals with the general formula R-As2+ are bound tightly to thiol groups, particularly to vicinal dithiols such as dihydrolipoic acid (DHLA), which together with some seleno-enzymes constitute vulnerable targets for the toxic action of As. In addition, R-As2+-compounds have even higher affinity to selenol groups, e.g., in thioredoxin reductase that also possesses a thiol group vicinal to the selenol. Inhibition of this and other ROS scavenging seleno-enzymes explain the oxidative stress associated with arsenic poisoning. The development of chelating agents, such as the dithiols BAL (dimercaptopropanol), DMPS (dimercapto-propanesulfonate) and DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid), took advantage of the fact that As had high affinity towards vicinal dithiols. Primary prevention by reducing exposure of the millions of people exposed to unacceptable As levels should be the prioritized strategy. However, in acute and subacute and even some cases with chronic As poisonings chelation treatment with therapeutic dithiols, in particular DMPS appears promising as regards alleviation of symptoms. In acute cases, initial treatment with BAL combined with DMPS should be considered

A review on coordination properties of thiol-containing chelating agents towards mercury, cadmium, and lead

The present article reviews the clinical use of thiol-based metal chelators in intoxications and overexposure with mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb). Currently, very few commercially available pharmaceuticals can successfully reduce or prevent the toxicity of these metals. The metal chelator meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is considerably less toxic than the classical agent British anti-Lewisite (BAL, 2,3-dimercaptopropanol) and is the recommended agent in poisonings with Pb and organic Hg. Its toxicity is also lower than that of DMPS (dimercaptopropane sulfonate), although DMPS is the recommended agent in acute poisonings with Hg salts. It is suggested that intracellular Cd deposits and cerebral deposits of inorganic Hg, to some extent, can be mobilized by a combination of antidotes, but clinical experience with such combinations are lacking. Alpha-lipoic acid (alpha-LA) has been suggested for toxic metal detoxification but is not considered a drug of choice in clinical practice. The molecular mechanisms and chemical equilibria of complex formation of the chelators with the metal ions Hg2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ are reviewed since insight into these reactions can provide a basis for further development of therapeutics

The aging kidney—as influenced by heavy metal exposure and selenium supplementation

The aging process in the kidneys has been well studied. It is known that the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) declines with age in subjects older than 50–60 years. However, there is still insufficient knowledge regarding the response of the aged kidney to environmental toxicants such as mercury, cadmium, and lead. Here, we present a review on the functional decline and proposed mechanisms in the aging kidney as influenced by metal pollutants. Due to the prevalence of these toxicants in the environment, human exposure is nearly unavoidable. Further, it is well known that acute and chronic exposures to toxic metals may be detrimental to kidneys of normal adults, thus it may be hypothesized that exposure of individuals with reduced GFR will result in additional reductions in renal function. Individuals with compromised renal function, either from aging or from a combination of aging and disease, may be particularly susceptible to environmental toxicants. The available data appear to show an association between exposure to mercury, cadmium and/or lead and an increase in incidence and severity of renal disease in elderly individuals. Furthermore, some physiological thiols, as well as adequate selenium status, appear to exert a protective action. Further studies providing improved insight into the mechanisms by which nephrotoxic metals are handled by aging kidneys, as well as possibilities of therapeutic protection, are of utmost importance

Salicylamide derivatives for iron and aluminium sequestration. From synthesis to complexation studies

This paper presents an easy, fast and economic synthesis of chelating agents for medical, environmental and analytical applications, and the evaluation of the stability of their complexes with Fe3+ and Al3+. Complex formation equilibria with Cu2+ and Zn2+ metal ions were also studied to evaluate if the chelating agents can perturb the homeostatic equilibria of these essential metal ions. Effective chelating agents for metal ions, in addition to their well-known medical uses, find an increasing number of applications in environmental remediation, agricultural applications (supplying essential elements in an easily available form), and in analytical chemistry as colorimetric reagents. Besides the stability of the complexes, the lack of toxicity and the low cost are the basic requisites of metal chelating agents. With these aims in mind, we utilized ethyl salicylate, a cheap molecule without toxic effects, and adopted a simple synthetic strategy to join two salicylate units through linear diamines of variable length. Actually, the mutual position of the metal binding oxygen groups, as well as the linker length, affected protonation and complex formation equilibria. A thorough study of the ligands is presented. In particular, the complex formation equilibria of the three ligands toward Fe3+, Al3+, Zn2+ and Cu2+ ions were investigated by combined potentiometric and spectrophotometric techniques. The results are encouraging: all the three ligands form stable complexes with all the investigated metal ions, involving the oxygen donor atoms from the 2-hydroxybenzamido unit, and nitrogen atoms in copper and zinc coordination

A family of kojic acid derivatives aimed to remediation of Pb2+ and Cd2+

The present work analyzes the complex formation ability towards Pb2+ and Cd2+ of a series of kojic acid derivatives that join the chelating properties of the pyrone molecules and those of polyamines, with the aim of evaluating how the different effects of oxygen and nitrogen coordinating groups act on the stability of metal complexes. Experimental research is carried out using potentiometric and spectrophotometric techniques supported by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Actually, a different coordination mechanism toward Pb2+ and Cd2+ was proved: in the case of Pb2+, coordination takes place exclusively via the oxygen atoms, while the contribute of the nitrogen atoms appears relevant in the case of Cd2+. Lead complexes of all the studied ligands are characterized by significantly stronger stability than those of cadmium. Finally, on the basis of the measured complex formation stabilities, some of the proposed molecules seems promising effective ligands for lead and cadmium ion decorporation from polluted soils or waste waters

The Role of Magnesium in Pregnancy and in Fetal Programming of Adult Diseases

Magnesium is an essential trace metal and a necessary factor for multiple biochemical functions in humans. Its role in biology is fundamental in over 600 enzymatic reactions implicated in protein synthesis, mitochondrial functions, neuromuscular activity, bone formation, and immune system competence. Magnesium status is relevant in fetal development during gestation and in the newborn growth during the perinatal period. Moreover, magnesium is able to influence fetal programming and disease presentation in childhood or adulthood. The aim of this review is to focus on this metal homeostasis, analyzing its normal values, the causes of hypomagnesemia, the interaction with drugs and other conditions, and the diseases associated with magnesium value alteration during pregnancy, in order to study its role in fetal programming of adult diseases. The data here reported clearly indicated the existence of a connection between magnesium status and human pathology starting from intrauterine life and extending into childhood and adulthood

Trace elements and the carotid plaque: the GOOD (Mg, Zn, Se), the UGLY (Fe, Cu), and the BAD (P, Ca)?

Multiple epidemiological studies have suggested that industrialization and progressive urbanization should be considered one of the main factors responsible for the rising of atherosclerosis in the developing world. In this scenario, the role of trace metals in the insurgence and progression of atherosclerosis has not been clarified yet. In this paper, the specific role of selected trace elements (magnesium, zinc, selenium, iron, copper, phosphorus, and calcium) is described by focusing on the atherosclerotic prevention and pathogenesis plaque. For each element, the following data are reported: daily intake, serum levels, intra/extracellular distribution, major roles in physiology, main effects of high and low levels, specific roles in atherosclerosis, possible interactions with other trace elements, and possible influences on plaque development. For each trace element, the correlations between its levels and clinical severity and outcome of COVID-19 are discussed. Moreover, the role of matrix metalloproteinases, a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases, as a new medical therapeutical approach to atherosclerosis is discussed.Data suggest that trace element status may influence both atherosclerosis insurgence and plaque evolution toward a stable or an unstable status. However, significant variability in the action of these traces is evident: some - including magnesium, zinc, and selenium - may have a protective role, whereas others, including iron and copper, probably have a multi-faceted and more complex role in the pathogenesis of the atherosclerotic plaque. Finally, calcium and phosphorus are implicated in the calcification of atherosclerotic plaques and in the progression of the plaque toward rupture and severe clinical complications. In particular, the role of calcium is debated. Focusing on the COVID-19 pandemia, optimized magnesium and zinc levels are indicated as important protective tools against a severe clinical course of the disease, often related to the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to cause a systemic inflammatory response, able to transform a stable plaque into an unstable one, with severe clinical complications