Tag Archives: DNA-damaging effect

Biochemical mechanisms of free-radical damage to the nuclear genome by cadmium

I. M. Trakhtenberg1, Y. I. Gubsky2, E. L. Levitsky3, I. F. Belenichev4

1Institute of Occupational Medicine, National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
2Insitute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
3Palladin Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv;
e-mail: levitsky@biochem.kiev.ua;
4Zaporozhye State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine

Cadmium, has been used for many years in industry and agriculture. Its active use is associated with a danger to human health due to a significant toxic effect on the body. The purpose of the review was to analyze the literature data and the results of our own experimental research on the biochemical mechanisms of the toxic effect of cadmium on the nuclear chromatin of cells, primarily the liver. Based on this analysis, the concept that the toxicity of cadmium is associated with damage caused by cadmium-induced free radicals was confirmed. The reactive oxygen species formed in this way are active damaging agents that cause toxic effects, including mutagenic, which ultimately leads to apoptosis and cell death.