Aluminium as a Metalloestrogen: Toxicological Pathways, Endocrine Disruption and Systemic Health Implications.

Abstract

Aluminium (Al) is the most abundant metal in the Earth's crust and a common environmental contaminant due to industrial processes, recycling and consumer goods. Aluminium can enter the human body via the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and skin routes, as well as through injection, although this is not essential for biological function. It can then accumulate in different organs. Its physicochemical properties enable it to displace vital metals, bind to biomolecules and interfere with cellular processes, leading to genotoxicity, oxidative stress and protein misfolding. Aluminium toxicity impacts various body systems, such as neurodegeneration, bone disorders, heart conditions, endocrine disruption and reproductive issues. Notably, Al acts as a metalloestrogen, mimicking or disrupting estrogen receptor signaling. This interference affects the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and changes estrogen-dependent processes in both males and females. This review explores Al's systemic toxicology and its emerging function as an endocrine disruptor, highlighting its dual nature as both a sustainable industrial resource and a common biological toxin. The findings highlight important public health issues and suggest the need for further research into how Al interacts with estrogen receptors to improve prevention and treatment.