Aluminum toxicity and oxidative stress

Abstract Aluminum is present in everyday life in several ways since it has high strength, ductility, and ability to conduct energy and heat. This metal is the third most abundant in the earth’s crust, being present in large quantities in soil and water. It has been shown that aluminum accumulates in various tissues of mammals, such as the brain, bones, liver, and kidney. Several studies have indicated neuropathological, neurobehavioral, neurophysical, and neurochemical changes after exposure to aluminum. Although the exact mechanism of aluminum toxicity is not known, different studies have suggested that aluminum potentiates oxidative stress and inflammatory events triggering tissue damage. This chapter seeks to display the present status of knowledge about effects of aluminum on biochemical homeostasis and how exposure to this metal can trigger events associated with oxidative stress.