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Review
. 2015 Feb;143(2):242-55.
doi: 10.1093/toxsci/kfu233.

Molecular mechanisms of acrolein toxicity: relevance to human disease

Akshata Moghe  1 , Smita Ghare  1 , Bryan Lamoreau  1 , Mohammad Mohammad  1 , Shirish Barve  2 , Craig McClain  3 , Swati Joshi-Barve  4
Affiliations
Review

Molecular mechanisms of acrolein toxicity: relevance to human disease

Akshata Moghe et al. Toxicol Sci. 2015 Feb.

Abstract

Acrolein, a highly reactive unsaturated aldehyde, is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant and its potential as a serious environmental health threat is beginning to be recognized. Humans are exposed to acrolein per oral (food and water), respiratory (cigarette smoke, automobile exhaust, and biocide use) and dermal routes, in addition to endogenous generation (metabolism and lipid peroxidation). Acrolein has been suggested to play a role in several disease states including spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and neuro-, hepato-, and nephro-toxicity. On the cellular level, acrolein exposure has diverse toxic effects, including DNA and protein adduction, oxidative stress, mitochondrial disruption, membrane damage, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and immune dysfunction. This review addresses our current understanding of each pathogenic mechanism of acrolein toxicity, with emphasis on the known and anticipated contribution to clinical disease, and potential therapies.

Keywords: DNA adducts; antioxidants; apoptosis; environmental; exposure; inflammation; oxidative injury.

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Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
The sources and metabolic fate of acrolein. GSH: glutathione; CEMA: 2-carboxyethylmercapturic acid; HPMA: 3-hydroxypropylmercapturic acid; OPMA: S-(3-oxopropyl)-N-acetylcysteine.
FIG. 2.
FIG. 2.
Effects of acrolein on DNA.
FIG. 3.
FIG. 3.
Effects of acrolein on immune responses.
FIG. 4.
FIG. 4.
Toxicity mechanisms and organ systems affected by acrolein (images courtesy Google).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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