The Role of Metal Ions in Biological Systems and Medicine

Abstract

Metals play crucial roles in life processes. It is increasingly recognized that metals are involved in cellular and subcellular functions. With the application of new and sophisticated machines to study biologie al and biochemical systems the true role of inorganic salts in living systems can be revealed. Inorganic chemistry is not the "Dead Chemistry" that some people may think. Today, it is known that metals are important ingredients in life, just as the organic molecules. For instance, the divalent magnesium and calcium ions play important regulatory roles in cells. Metallothionins are ~roteins rich in metal ions found in living systems. The divalent cations Zn 2 +, Ca 2 + and Mg + prevent cytotoxicity and in vivo antagonize Cd-induced carcinogenesis. Lack of body iron is common in cancer patients and it is associated with complications in surgery and in animal experiments. The transport of iron and other metal ions by the blood plasma is achieved through the formation of protein complexes. Copper is recognized as an essential metalloelement and is primarily associated with copper-dependent cellular enzymes. Metals are also used as inorganic drugs for many diseases. The cisplatin (cis-Pt(NH3hCI2) is the first member of a new c1ass of potent antitumor drugs belonging to metal coordination complexes which are being introduced in Medicine. The emphasis in this chapter, however will mainly be on the metal-molecule interactions and the chemistry and structure of metal-complexes.