Can melatonin ameliorate smoking-related cadmium-induced decreases in bone mineral density?

Abstract

Cadmium, an environmental toxin, is associated with a range of adverse health effects including decreased bone mineral density and osteoporosis, due to its induction of oxidative stress, leading to DNA damage, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Notably, cadmium is found at concentrations 4-5x higher in the blood of smokers versus non-smokers. Experiments performed in human cancer cells indicate that melatonin may directly protect against cadmium-induced tissue damage via regulation of mitochondrial activity. Further, recent evidence has demonstrated that melatonin can improve bone health for individuals with osteoporosis and partially protect against cadmium-associated inhibition of bone repair. Here we review these data and argue that the effects and therapeutic potential of melatonin treatment against the negative impacts of cadmium toxicity on bone mineral density should be investigated.