title: Pro-inflammatory properties of cadmium.
abstract: Cadmium is a toxic and carcinogenic heavy metal that nowadays constitutes a serious environmental health problem. The aim of this study is to review the effects of cadmium on selected inflammatory mediators and markers, such as NF-κB and AP-1 transcription factors, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β cytokines, IL-8 or MIP-2 chemokine, MPO, iNOS, MMPs and COX-2 enzymes, PGE(2) (product of COX-2 enzyme), ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and PECAM-1 adhesion molecules, and CRP. The research strategy identified articles available in Medline, published between 1998 and 2012; we included both in vivo and in vitro studies carried out on humans and rodents. Most of the reviewed research findings suggest that cadmium in micromolar concentrations (especially in the 1-10 μM range) causes up-regulation of the mediators and markers of inflammation, and appears to have pro-inflammatory properties. However, it is worth mentioning that a contradictory or even opposite hypothesis exists, which suggests cadmium to be an anti-inflammatory factor. Further research including detailed histological analyses should solve this discrepancy. Nevertheless, it appears that the main reason for these contradictory findings is the experimental setup: different biological systems analyzed and different doses of cadmium applied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hygiene, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Olszowski
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Baranowska-Bosiacka
authors.forename: Izabela
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gutowska
authors.forename: Dariusz
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chlubek
mesh_terms: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D002104:Cadmium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental / Q000633:toxicity; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D004782:Environmental Health; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism; D016239:MEDLINE
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D015415:Biomarkers; D002274:Carcinogens, Environmental; D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D002104:Cadmium