Oggiano Riccardo, Pisano Andrea, Sabalic Angela, Farace Cristiano, Fenu Grazia, Lintas Simone, Forte Giovanni, Bocca Beatrice, Madeddu Roberto
Department of Biomedical Science - Histology, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
National Institute of Biostructures and Biosystems, Rome, Italy.
Neurol Sci. 2021 Feb;42(2):531-537. doi: 10.1007/s10072-020-04957-7. Epub 2020 Dec 5.
The present review represents an update about the knowledge of the possible role of Cadmium (Cd) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) initiation and its progression. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that occurs in adulthood; its etiology is unknown and leads to death within a few years from its appearance. Among the various possible causes that can favor the development of the disease, heavy metals cannot be excluded. Cadmium is a heavy metal that does not play a biological role, but its neurotoxicity is well known. Numerous in vitro studies on cell and animal models confirm the toxicity of the metal on the nervous system, but these data are not accompanied by an epidemiological evidence, and, thus, an unclear correlation between Cd and the onset of the disease can be pointed out. On the other hand, a possible multifactorial and synergic mechanism in which Cd may have a role can explain the ALS onset. More efforts in new clinical, biochemical, and epidemiological studies are necessary to better elucidate the involvement of Cd in this lethal disease.
本综述是关于镉（Cd）在肌萎缩侧索硬化症（ALS）发病及进展中可能作用的知识更新。ALS是一种成年期发生的神经退行性疾病；其病因不明，发病后几年内会导致死亡。在可能促进该疾病发展的各种原因中，重金属不能被排除。镉是一种无生物学作用的重金属，但其神经毒性是众所周知的。众多关于细胞和动物模型的体外研究证实了该金属对神经系统的毒性，但这些数据缺乏流行病学证据支持，因此，镉与疾病发病之间的相关性尚不清楚。另一方面，镉可能参与其中的一种多因素协同机制可以解释ALS的发病。需要在新的临床、生化和流行病学研究方面做出更多努力，以更好地阐明镉在这种致命疾病中的作用。
