Metal ions affecting the kidney

Abstract

This chapter provides a succinct summary of the nephrotoxic effects of a number of metals/metalloids on an individual or mixture basis. There is a discussion of routes of exposure, mechanisms of uptake by renal cells and the potential impact of nanomaterials on these processes. An emphasis is placed on the toxicity of these metals/ metalloids to individual cell types in the kidney and the application of biomarkers for the early detection of kidney cell injury prior to the onset of an overt clinical state such as end-stage renal disease. The issue of interactions between nephrotoxic metals in mixture exposures is discussed in relation to the application of molecular biomarkers for early detection of renal cell injury.