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Metals in medicine are used in organic systems for diagnostic and treatment purposes. [1] Inorganic elements are also essential for organic life as cofactors in enzymes called metalloproteins . When metals are under or over-abundant in the body, equilibrium must be returned to its natural state via interventional and natural methods.
Metal ions and metallic compounds are often used in medical treatments and diagnoses. [18] Compounds containing metal ions can be used as medicine, such as lithium compounds and auranofin. [19] [20] Metal compounds and ions can also produce harmful effects on the body due to the toxicity of several types of metals. [18]
The medical uses of silver include its use in wound dressings, creams, and as an antibiotic coating on medical devices. [ 2 ] [ 3 ] [ 4 ] Wound dressings containing silver sulfadiazine or silver nanomaterials may be used to treat external infections.
Many metals, particularly heavy metals are toxic, but some are essential, and some, such as bismuth, have a low toxicity. Metals in an oxidation state abnormal to the body may also become toxic: chromium(III) is an essential trace element, but chromium(VI) is a carcinogen. Only soluble metal-containing compounds are toxic.
The human body has complex homeostatic mechanisms which attempt to ensure a constant supply of available copper, while eliminating excess copper whenever this occurs. However, like all essential elements and nutrients, too much or too little nutritional ingestion of copper can result in a corresponding condition of copper excess or deficiency ...
Lead poisoning, also known as plumbism and saturnism, is a type of metal poisoning caused by lead in the body. [2] Symptoms may include abdominal pain, constipation, headaches, irritability, memory problems, infertility, numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. [1]
Copper toxicity (or Copperiedus) is a type of metal poisoning caused by an excess of copper in the body. Copperiedus could occur from consuming excess copper salts, but most commonly it is the result of the genetic condition Wilson's disease and Menke's disease, which are associated with mismanaged transport and storage of copper ions.
Bioresorbable (also called biodegradable or bioabsorbable) metals are metals or their alloys that degrade safely within the body. [1] The primary metals in this category are magnesium-based [ 2 ] [ 3 ] and iron-based alloys, [ 4 ] although recently zinc has also been investigated.