Biometals最新文献

{"title":"Oxalic acid in root exudates confers lead tolerance in Medicago sativa L. via rhizosphere chelation and cellular detoxification.","authors":"Changyin Li, Huaixin Wu, Xinmei Song, Xi Yang, Chunyun Jia, Changfeng Liu","doi":"10.1007/s10534-026-00877-9","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10534-026-00877-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Root exudates help plants mitigate heavy metal stress. This study investigated organic acid changes in Medicago sativa L root exudates under lead (Pb) stress and the mechanisms by which exogenous oxalic acid alleviates Pb toxicity. Hydroponic experiments were conducted with Pb concentrations of 0, 5, 50, and 150 mg·L^-1. Organic acids were analyzed via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography. Seedling growth, physiological indices (chlorophyll, root viability, malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species, antioxidant enzymes, osmolytes), and subcellular Pb distribution were measured. Pb stress dose-dependently enhanced oxalic acid secretion. Exogenous oxalic acid (especially 5 mM) significantly increased seed germination, root viability. Compared with Pb alone, 5 mM oxalic acid increased vigor index by 316%, reduced hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion by 55% and 50%, decreased malondialdehyde by 48%, and enhanced superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase activities. It also increased leaf protein content, improved osmotic adjustment, and protected chlorophyll synthesis (total chlorophyll recovered by 37%). Furthermore, oxalic acid reduced root Pb content by 47.1% and promoted Pb immobilization in root cell walls (Pb decreased by 51.9% in cytoplasm and 65.0% in organelles). These findings provide a multi-level mechanistic framework for understanding how oxalic acid enhances Pb tolerance in alfalfa, offering insights that may inform strategies for using root exudates to improve phytoremediation efficiency.</p>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148719733","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Mediation effects of thyroid hormones in the associations between essential metal elements and anxiety or depression symptoms in the elderly.","authors":"Juanhua Li, Wenqi Wang, Yang Peng, Ning Qin, Jiemei Li, Ying Wei, Biwen Wang, Huaicai Zeng, Han Li, Lu Cheng","doi":"10.1007/s10534-026-00875-x","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10534-026-00875-x","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To investigate essential metals' association with anxiety/depression symptoms in the elderly, and explore serum thyroid hormones' potential mediating role in this association. Study included 416 Shenzhen elderly. The Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were utilized to evaluate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Essential metals in urine were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), while thyroid hormone information was sourced from medical records. Mediation analysis assessed serum thyroid hormones' mediating effect in the link between essential metals and anxiety/depression. Urinary zinc (Zn) level was negatively linked to the risk of anxiety symptoms [odds ratio (OR) = 0.308, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.133, 0.665; third vs. first tertile]. The urinary iron (Fe), Zn and selenium (Se) levels were negatively correlated with the risk of depressive symptoms (Fe: OR = 0.367, 95% CI: 0.173, 0.742; Zn: OR = 0.353, 95% CI: 0.160, 0.734; Se: OR = 0.488, 95% CI: 0.244, 0.949; all third vs. first tertile). The Bayesian kernel machine regression analysis (BKMR) revealed a negative relationship between the mixed exposure to essential metals and symptoms of anxiety and depression. Mediation analysis showed that total thyroxine (TT4) did not significantly mediate the link between urinary copper (Cu) levels and anxiety, with a mediation effect size of 0.020 (95% CI: -0.053, 0.000) and an estimated mediation proportion of 41.95%. Zn was negatively associated with anxiety, while Fe, Zn, and Se were negatively associated with depression. The mediation effect of TT4 on the association between urinary Cu and anxiety was not statistically significant, although the estimated mediation proportion was 41.95%.</p>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148720166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Concomitant induction of apoptosis and suppression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by a Cu(II)-flavonoid complex in colorectal cancer.","authors":"Sibel Cinar-Asa, Hasene Mutlu-Genckal, Ferda Ari","doi":"10.1007/s10534-026-00870-2","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-026-00870-2","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Notwithstanding progress in chemotherapy, cancer recurrence resulting from metastasis continues to be a significant challenge. Consequently, targeting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has emerged as a viable approach to impede metastasis and enhance therapy success. In colorectal cancer, current initiatives focus on discovering new agents that are both efficacious and less harmful to normal cells. Plant-derived flavonoids and metal-based compounds exhibit significant medicinal potential. This research examined the anticancer efficacy of a Cu(II)-flavonoid complex comprising quercetin and 1,10-phenanthroline ligands in colorectal cancer cell lines HCT-116 and HT-29. The sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay assessed cell viability, yielding IC₅₀ values of 3.19 μM for HCT-116 and 1.81 μM for HT-29 after 48 h, but the individual ligands demonstrated no similar cytotoxicity. The compound exhibited lower cytotoxicity to normal colon cells (CCD-18Co) than toward colorectal cancer cells (HCT-116 and HT-29). Apoptosis induction was verified with Hoechst 33342, Annexin-V-FITC, and propidium Iodide staining, supplemented by M30-antigen ELISA, and further corroborated by the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK and elevated levels of apoptotic protein markers such as cleaved caspase-8 and parp-1. Flow cytometry revealed G₀/G₁ phase arrest, indicating caspase-dependent apoptotic cell death. The compound also impeded epithelial-mesenchymal transition, as demonstrated by a dose-dependent reduction in migration and invasion in wound healing and Matrigel invasion experiments. Western blot analysis revealed elevated levels of E-cadherin and reduced levels of N-cadherin, vimentin, and snail. The Cu(II)-flavonoid combination demonstrates significant anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic, and anti-metastatic properties in colorectal cancer cells, while exhibiting lower cytotoxic effects in normal colon cells. This underscores its potential as a viable candidate for additional molecular and in vivo assessment of the complex in colorectal cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148683085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Iron (III) emissions from seawater desalination plants: a new, hitherto overlooked contribution to the iron cycle in coastal seas?","authors":"Frithjof C. Küpper,&nbsp;Mohammed Khalid Massoud,&nbsp;Eleni Avramidi,&nbsp;Ricardo Cruz-López,&nbsp;Kyoko Yarimizu,&nbsp;Martin C. Feiters,&nbsp;Vasilis Louca,&nbsp;Dimitrios Xevgenos","doi":"10.1007/s10534-026-00861-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10534-026-00861-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Due to the poor solubility of iron (III) and strong regional differences in terrestrial, riverine or airborne input, iron is a limiting micronutrient in much of the world ocean. Because of increasing living standards and climate change, rainfall is becoming more intermittent, which exacerbates drought conditions. As a result, seawater desalination has a vital and growing role in providing drinking water in many hot and arid regions of the world. Most seawater desalination plants use ferric or ferrate salts as flocculants for removing phyto- and bacterioplankton and suspended organic matter prior to the actual desalination process. Consequently, such seawater desalination plants release large amounts of suspended iron in conjunction with organic matter into coastal waters, with potentially significant consequences for the availability of this micronutrient in coastal marine ecosystems. This review paper provides important background information about the role of iron as a micronutrient in marine ecosystems, its role in the inorganic biochemistry of marine life, as well as key features of its use in seawater desalination, before providing a perspective by exploring potential implications for the physiology and biochemistry of marine life and marine ecosystem functioning.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":"39 in","pages":"1247 - 1265"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10534-026-00861-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148683052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Zinc sulfate modulates the C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cell line secretome and NFκB signaling during inflammation to influence selected immune cell responses.","authors":"Edson Naoto Makiyama, Iolanda Silva Rafael Pizzolato-Cezar, Sumara de Freitas, Ricardo Ambrósio Fock","doi":"10.1007/s10534-026-00869-9","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-026-00869-9","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Zinc (Zn) is essential for immune cell function, while mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exert immunomodulatory effects primarily through the secretion of soluble factors. Considering the ability of MSCs and Zn to modulate the immune and inflammatory systems, this study investigated, in vitro, the effects of Zn supplementation on MSC responses to inflammatory stimuli and the subsequent modulation of macrophages and lymphocytes. Using the C3H10T1/2 line as a MSC model, we determined that 1 µM ZnSO₄ enhanced MSC metabolic activity without affecting viability or cell-cycle distribution, whereas higher concentrations reduced cell viability. Under lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation, Zn inhibited NFκB phosphorylation and increased AMPK phosphorylation, indicating anti-inflammatory and adaptive metabolic responses. Similarly, under TNF-α stimulation, Zn also reduced NFκB phosphorylation. Zn supplementation altered MSC secretory profiles, reducing IL-6, IL-10, and nitric oxide (NO) production while increasing TGF-β and prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂) levels, indicating that Zn modifies MSC-derived soluble factor production under inflammatory conditions. Conditioned media from Zn-treated MSCs attenuated IL-6 and IL-12 production in macrophages, indicating a reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine response, whereas lymphocyte responses were unaffected. Importantly, Zn modulation of cytokine production was observed under LPS stimulation but not under TNF-α exposure, suggesting that Zn preferentially interferes with signaling pathways triggered by microbial stimuli. Overall, this study provides mechanistic insight into how Zn affects the secretory profile and inflammatory signaling pathways of C3H10T1/2 cells. These findings support further studies in primary MSCs to determine whether Zn supplementation may represent a useful strategy for modulating MSC-mediated immune regulation in therapeutic settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148668073","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Molecular and cellular mechanisms of lead-induced neurotoxicity: comparative insights from rodent and zebrafish models","authors":"Sayed Mohammed Firdous,&nbsp;Durga Maity,&nbsp;Souvik Marick","doi":"10.1007/s10534-026-00857-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10534-026-00857-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Lead is a persistent environmental heavy metal and a potent neurotoxin that continues to threaten global public health despite regulatory restrictions. Chronic and developmental exposure, particularly during early life, leads to persistent structural and functional disturbances in the central nervous system. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms underlying lead-induced neurotoxicity, integrating molecular, cellular, histopathological, and behavioral evidence from both rodent and zebrafish models. The review further summarizes blood–brain barrier disruption, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, synaptic impairment, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, neurotransmitter dysregulation, and neurodevelopmental alterations associated with lead exposure in experimental animal models. Lead crosses the blood–brain barrier by mimicking essential divalent cations such as Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Fe²⁺, thereby disrupting calcium signalling and impairing neuronal communication. Once in the brain, lead induces oxidative stress through excessive reactive oxygen species generation, mitochondrial dysfunction, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and depletion of antioxidant defenses. Lead also impairs synaptic plasticity by altering NMDA receptor subunit composition, reducing synaptic protein expression, and dysregulating genes involved in neurodevelopment. In parallel, it activates both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways and enhances neuroinflammatory signaling through microglial and astrocytic activation, further contributing to neuronal injury. Experimental studies demonstrate hippocampal degeneration, Purkinje cell loss, synaptic ultrastructural alterations, impaired long-term potentiation, and cognitive dysfunction in rodents. Zebrafish models reveal disrupted neurodevelopment, altered expression of gfap, huC, neurexin, and antioxidant-related genes, behavioral abnormalities, and circadian rhythm disturbances. Overall, the study indicates that lead neurotoxicity arises from interconnected mechanisms involving oxidative stress, synaptic dysfunction, apoptosis, mitochondrial impairment, and neuroinflammation. A comprehensive understanding of these pathways is essential for early risk assessment, therapeutic target identification, and the development of effective neuroprotective interventions against lead-induced brain injury.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":"39 5","pages":"1467 - 1489"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148652786","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exogenous hesperidin orchestrates antioxidant defense, osmolyte metabolism, and nutrient homeostasis to mitigate heavy metal toxicity in canola","authors":"Sherjeel Hashmat,&nbsp;Humaira Yasmeen,&nbsp;Bakhrom Jobborov,&nbsp;Muhammad Imran,&nbsp;Mohammed S. Alotaibi,&nbsp;Hossam S. El-Beltagi,&nbsp;Usman Zulfiqar,&nbsp;Amna Batool,&nbsp;Umer Farooq","doi":"10.1007/s10534-026-00851-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10534-026-00851-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Heavy metal contamination of agricultural soils severely impairs plant physiological function by disrupting nutrient uptake, photosynthesis, and redox homeostasis. Previous studies have established that heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), and copper (Cu) induce oxidative stress, membrane damage, and metabolic imbalance in plants, and that flavonoids can act as antioxidants to mitigate some of these effects. However, the specific mechanistic role of hesperidin in regulating plant physiological responses under heavy metal stress in canola remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of exogenous hesperidin application on canola (<i>Brassica napus</i> L.) exposed to Cd, Cr, Pb, and Cu stress. Hesperidin treatment enhanced enzymatic antioxidant systems, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD), as well as non-enzymatic antioxidants, thereby reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and stabilizing membrane integrity. In addition, hesperidin regulated osmolyte metabolism (proline and soluble sugars) and restored ion homeostasis, leading to improved nutrient acquisition and photosynthetic efficiency. These coordinated responses demonstrate that hesperidin functions as a physiological regulator, integrating antioxidant defense and metabolic adjustment to confer resilience against heavy metal toxicity. The novelty of this work lies in identifying hesperidin’s dual role in modulating both redox balance and osmolyte metabolism, thereby providing new mechanistic insight into flavonoid-mediated stress tolerance. Our findings highlight hesperidin as a potential biotechnological tool to improve crop performance and resilience in contaminated environments.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":"39 5","pages":"2079 - 2103"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148617817","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of copper overload on mitochondrial parameters in GBM-1, U-87 MG, and C6 glioma cell lines","authors":"Giovanna Tassinari,&nbsp;Lorena Aparecida de Souza,&nbsp;Nikole Aguiar de Souza,&nbsp;Yasmin Radowitz Mendonça,&nbsp;Lara Stoeberl,&nbsp;Madson Silveira de Melo,&nbsp;Evelise Maria Nazari,&nbsp;Carla Inês Tasca,&nbsp;Cláudia Beatriz Nedel,&nbsp;Viviane Glaser","doi":"10.1007/s10534-026-00863-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10534-026-00863-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Over the years, there has been growing interest in developing new therapies for glioblastoma, and copper compounds have emerged as promising therapeutic targets due to their antitumoral properties. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the effects of high copper levels on cell viability, mitochondrial physiology, PINK1 content, and the expression of PGC-1α and TFAM in distinct glioma cell lines, mainly considering the heterogeneity of tumoral cells. GBM-1, U-87 MG, and C6 cells CuSO₄ exposure (0–1200 µM) was performed for 24 h, and cell viability was assessed using the MTT reduction and Neutral Red (NR) assays. NADH dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome c oxidase activities, and the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were measured to analyze mitochondrial physiology. PINK1 was evaluated by immunofluorescence, while PGC-1α and TFAM expression were assessed by real-time RT-PCR in U-87 MG and C6 cells. Copper exposure reduced cell viability in the cell lines (MTT and NR), except in U-87 MG with the NR assay. High copper levels decreased succinate dehydrogenase activity in GBM-1, U-87 MG, and C6 cells. Cytochrome c oxidase activity was decreased in the C6 cell line. Moreover, reductions in ΔΨm and increases in PINK1 immunostaining were observed across the three cell lines. Finally, an increase in PGC-1α mRNA was observed in C6 cells, and TFAM expression has risen in U-87 MG. In conclusion, high copper levels decrease glioma cell viability in vitro, and mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to this effect, resulting in PINK1 and TFAM or PGC-1α increase as compensatory mechanisms to copper cytotoxicity.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div><p>Exposure to high copper levels (CuSO₄) promotes mitochondrial dysfunction in glioma cells, including loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), and impairment of respiratory chain activity, besides increasing PINK1. Indeed, U-87 MG cells display increased TFAM expression, and C6 cells exhibit increased PGC-1α expression, consistent with activation of mitochondrial biogenesis pathways. Created in BioRender.com</p></div>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":"39 5","pages":"2177 - 2191"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s10534-026-00863-1.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148583261","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nano-enabled strategies for iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia: iron-based nanoparticles for supplementation, bioavailability, and food fortification–a narrative review","authors":"Eslem Çınar,&nbsp;Su Beyde,&nbsp;Kaan Zıkşahna,&nbsp;Rumeysa Adıyıl,&nbsp;Murat Ihlamur","doi":"10.1007/s10534-026-00865-z","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10534-026-00865-z","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remain highly prevalent worldwide and are associated with substantial morbidity, especially among infants, children, women of reproductive age, and individuals with chronic diseases. Conventional oral iron salts and food fortification strategies are often limited by gastrointestinal side effects, poor adherence, and unfavorable sensory changes in fortified foods. Nano-enabled iron formulations have been proposed to overcome these limitations by improving bioavailability while preserving tolerability and product quality. This narrative review summarizes in vitro, in vivo and human studies on iron oxide, iron oxyhydroxide, ferric phosphate, ferric pyrophosphate and ferrous sulfate nanoparticles used for oral supplementation or food fortification in the context of iron deficiency and IDA. Overall, nano-sized iron sources tend to show improved iron bioaccessibility and relative bioavailability than their bulk or conventional counterparts, particularly for poorly soluble compounds, and several preparations appear to reduce gastrointestinal intolerance and sensory changes in foods. Early human data suggest that selected nano-iron formulations can approach the hematological efficacy of ferrous sulfate while offering technological advantages for incorporation into complex food matrices. However, most evidence still derives from short-term or preclinical studies, and important gaps remain regarding long-term safety, organ-specific accumulation, effects on the gut microbiota and performance in diverse at-risk populations. Future work should prioritize well-designed clinical trials, standardized physicochemical and toxicological characterization, and clear regulatory guidance to support the safe and effective integration of nano-enabled iron formulations into nutritional strategies against iron deficiency.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":"39 5","pages":"1505 - 1529"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148576644","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The toxic footprint of lead exposure: oxido-inflammatory biomarkers in urban populations of Niger Delta, Nigeria","authors":"Eudora Obioma Nwanaforo,&nbsp;Cecilia N. Obasi,&nbsp;Prosper Manu Abdulai,&nbsp;Chiara Frazzoli,&nbsp;Orish Ebere Orisakwe","doi":"10.1007/s10534-026-00864-0","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s10534-026-00864-0","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Lead (Pb) exposure is still a major public health concern in southern Nigeria’s urban and industrial areas. This study examined the relationship between blood lead levels (BLLs) and biomarkers related to oxido-inflammatory, antioxidant, renal, and apoptosis in adult residents of Port Harcourt, Aba, and Owerri. Atomic absorption spectrophotometry was used in this cross-sectional study to detect lead in venous blood samples. Biomarkers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and caspase-3 (CASP3), were quantified using standard spectrophotometric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. ANOVA, t-tests, Kruskal–Wallis tests with post-hoc comparisons, and Spearman correlation (α = 0.05) were among the statistical analyses performed. Aba had higher mean BLLs (2.8–4.2 µg/dL), which varied significantly between cities (p &lt; 0.05). BLLs showed significant positive correlations with MDA (ρ = 0.39), HO-1 (ρ = 0.41), IFN-γ (ρ = 0.36), and KIM-1 (ρ = 0.42) (p &lt; 0.05), suggesting increased oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and early renal involvement. The majority of sex-based differences were not statistically significant (p &gt; 0.05), while antioxidant indicators showed inconsistent patterns. In regions with greater BLLs, CASP3 levels were slightly elevated. Measurable changes in oxidative, inflammatory, and renal indicators were linked to elevated BLLs. These results highlight the necessity of more stringent environmental monitoring and focused public health initiatives to lower lead exposure in Nigerian urban populations.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":491,"journal":{"name":"Biometals","volume":"39 5","pages":"2193 - 2203"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-07-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148576739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}