Biochemical and physiological effect of silver bioaccumulation

Abstract

Recent studies have shown that silver is no longer restricted to just being found in soil and natural waters. The metal and its various forms are used in medicine as nanoparticles for various applications. After assimilating and reviewing a considerable volume of literature, it can be safely stated that silver displays different extents of bioaccumulation depending on the ecosystem involved. Aquatic ecosystems were revealed to be less prone to the toxic effects of the metal due to the buffering capacity of water and its dissolved contents. Evidence suggests that even though bioaccumulation is possible in terrestrial animals, biomagnification is not. Humans are more prone to bioaccumulation due to the use of silver nanoparticles in medicine. The toxic effects of silver are attributed to the formation of free silver (I) ions (Ag+). Biochemical effects are brought about by interactions with proteins, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and intracellular signalling pathways. Physiological effects are manifestations of biochemical effects in different regions of the body. Literature has shown that by means of physiological and biochemical effects, silver bioaccumulation gives rise to both benign and harmful disease, namely argyria, cardiovascular disease and respiratory disease.