Metal homeostasis is essential for maintaining physiological balance and
ensuring proper cellular function in the human body. Essential metals such as iron,
zinc, copper, calcium, and magnesium play pivotal roles in enzymatic activity,
neurotransmission, gene expression, and antioxidant defense. However, even slight
disturbances in their regulation can trigger pathological processes, including oxidative
stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inflammation. The body maintains metal
homeostasis through a finely tuned network of transporters, storage proteins, and
regulatory pathways that control absorption, distribution, and excretion. Disruption of
these mechanisms due to genetic factors, environmental exposure, or disease can lead
to serious health outcomes, particularly neurodegenerative disorders. Understanding
the intricate mechanisms of metal uptake, trafficking, and cellular
compartmentalization is vital for developing targeted diagnostics and therapies. This
section delves into the molecular pathways of metal regulation and highlights their
significance in health and disease, offering insights into how restoring homeostasis
may serve as a therapeutic strategy against metal-induced pathologies.
Keywords: Absorption, Metal homeostasis, Metal transporters, Metal imbalance, Neurotransmission.
