97 / 2019-10-16 15:38:07

A review of nephrotoxicity of microcystins

Nephrotoxicity,Microcystins,Apoptosis,Oxidative stress,Mechanisms

Abstract
The occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms has increased significantly in many regions of the world in the last century due to water eutrophication. Cyanobacterial blooms-produced microcystins (MCs) are secondary metabolites which can accumulate in the food chain and contaminate water, thus posing a potential threat to the health of aquatic animals, mammals, and even humans. MCs toxicity affects not only the liver but also the other organs, i.e., the kidney. This review focuses on the renal toxicity of MCs. Toxicity of MCs is primarily governed by the inhibition of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A (PP1 and PP2A) and disturbance of cellular phosphorylation balance. MCs exposure is related to excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress, leading to cytoskeleton disruption, mitochondria dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, cell apoptosis and DNA damage. Epidemiological studies have shown that MC-LR ingested by drinking water and aquatic products is significantly associated with renal impairment in the population. Pathological studies showed that the glomerulus collapsed, the tubular lumen was narrow, and the epithelial cells of the wall were turbid, swollen, necrotic and degeneration. However, further researches are needed for detailed studies on signaling pathways and the downstream pathways of nephrotoxicity of MCs.