search by
Copyright @ Pol J Cosmetol
Pol J Cosmetol 2008, 11(2): 84-88pl,en  Biological activity of elements in aspect of skin physiology and use in cosmetology. Part III. Toxic elementsRomuald Czerpak, Agata Jabłońska-Trypuć Zakład Nauk Biologicznych, Wyższa Szkoła Kosmetologii i Ochrony Zdrowia w Białymstoku Summary It is said that toxic elements have harmful effect however, some of them, in trace amounts, can be used in the treatment of certain diseases and as disinfectants, pesticides, and conservative factors. In trace amounts, such elements as rubidium, beryllium, strontium, cadmium, thallium, mercury, arsenic, etc. are beneficial for growth and human metabolic processes. Heavy metals inhibit the activity of enzymes, peptide and protein hormones, and transmitters in the active transport through cellular membranes. They also stimulate the formation of free radicals, which act mutagenically while biding with DNA. They have harmful effect on the liver, kidneys, and the circulatory, nervous, reproductive, muscular, and skeletal systems. They accumulate in various tissues and parenchymatous organs and are the cause of various neoplasm formations. Key words: cadmium, mercury, lead, heavy metals, toxic elements |