Cadmium, lead and mercury in human kidneys

Abstract

The development of civilization and economic activities affect the increase in the number and variety of xenobiotics, including some heavy metals in the environment. Hence, human is constantly exposed to many harmful substances in air, water, soil and food. It is well known that cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and mercury (Hg) are the most toxic socalled heavy metals (density ¤4.5 g/cm3) [1]. The critical organs accumulating these metals are kidneys, which are involved in the detoxification process. The concentration of metals in the kidneys is affected by environmental factors, such as smoking, diet, or amalgam dental fillings (mercury), and some biological factors – as age and gender. Recently, research was conducted on the impact of the Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) on the concentration of these metals in kidneys. Patients with kidney cancer accumulate less cadmium than healthy ones. Therefore it is very important to monitor the concentrations of highly toxic metals in the excretory organ, particularly in patients with nephrological disorder