Metabolomics of heavy metal exposure

Abstract

Heavy metal toxicity poses significant risks to environmental and human health, necessitating advanced analytical and integrative approaches for assessment and mitigation. Herein we review the use of high-resolution metabolomics, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS), and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) to identify metabolic disruptions associated with heavy metal exposure. NMR, due to a non-destructive nature and ability to provide quantitative and structural information, has emerged as a vital tool in identifying biomarkers and elucidating metabolic disruptions caused by heavy metals. Integrating genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and lipidomics with metabolomics has significantly enhanced the understanding of gene-environment interactions. Systems biology and computational modeling bridge experimental data with predictive insights, simulating complex interactions and identifying intervention points. Furthermore, this chapter explores advanced instrumentation and the role of interdisciplinary collaboration as metabolomics, enriched by NMR and multi-omics integration, holds the potential to manage the heavy metal toxicity, paving the way for precision medicine and environmental resilience.

Keywords: Biomarker discovery; Computational modeling; Environmental policy; Heavy metal toxicity; Multi-omics approaches.