Cellular absorption and cytotoxic mitigation of heavy metals in mining vegetables in southwest China: mechanistic insights and health implications

The existing health risk assessment models often rely on total concentrations of contaminants, neglecting cellular absorption, leading to an overestimation of risks due to a lack of toxicological verification. In this study, the content, bioaccessibility, and health risk evaluation of Cr, Ni, Cu, and As in vegetables from mining areas in Southwest China were examined. The cytotoxicity and gastric absorption of heavy metals and underlying mechanisms as well as the toxic mitigation approach after consumption of risky vegetables were explored. Our results showed that the heavy metals in cabbage, celery, and garlic seedlings were within the safety limit, even though grown in contaminated soils. The bioaccessibility of As, Cu, Ni, and Cr in vegetables in the gastric phase is from 6.92% to 81.15%, with mint having the highest bioaccessible concentrations of Cr (32.7 μg/kg), Cu (540.1 μg/kg), and As (103.9 μg/kg). The Hazard Quotient and Hazard Index values of the bioaccessible metals suggested an unacceptable cancer risk. Besides, the vegetable extracts increased cell apoptosis and tight junction disruption. Unexpectedly, the high-risk mint extract with the greatest bioaccessibility didn't cause cytotoxicity but inhibited cell apoptosis and enhanced cellular tight junction, evidenced by the upregulation of zonula occludens-1, Occludin, and Claudin 3, and a decrease in cellular heavy metal uptake. Furthermore, the mint extract could alleviate garlic seedling extract-induced cytotoxicity, indicating that the special substance in mint has protective effects. Taken together, special components in vegetables, cellular uptake, and toxicity of heavy metals should be considered in the accurate assessment of health risks.