SOURCES:
Can be found in soil and river sediments, air, and jewelry. Used as a catalyst in the automotive, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. It’s resistance to oxidation makes it important in the manufacturing of laboratory equipment. It is also used as a chemotherapeutic agent.
PHYSIOLOGIC EFFECTS:
Platinum binds to DNA and interferes with transcription and replication resulting in apoptosis.
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Metallic forms are inert, but the complex salts can produce conjunctivitis, urticaria, dermatitis, and eczema with dermal exposure. Nephrotoxicity and thrombocytopenia are seen with platinum chemotherapeutic agents. Respiratory exposures can produce wheezing and shortness of breath.
References:
Hayes AW. Principles and methods of toxicology. Crc Press; 2007.
Goyer RA, Clarkson TW. Toxic effects of metals. Casarett and Doull’s toxicology: the basic science of poisons. 1996;5:696-698.
Hato SV, Khong A, de Vries IJM, Lesterhuis WJ. Molecular pathways: the immunogenic effects of platinum-based chemotherapeutics. Clin Cancer Res. 2014;20(11):2831-2837.
Platinum
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