Figure 4.

Cadmium, a metalloestrogen, increases the risk of breast cancer by stimulating cell proliferation due to its estrogenic properties, as well as by producing oxidative stress through mitochondrial damage. Melatonin could reduce the risk of breast cancer in individuals exposed to Cd from contaminated food, smoke, or occupational hazards. Melatonin, acts as a specific inhibitor of Cd-induced ERα-mediated transcription in estrogen response elements. Furthermore, melatonin downregulates the hTERT expression induced by Cd and increases the synthesis of metallothioneins, which are proteins involved in Cd detoxification. Moreover, melatonin prevents against Cd-induced oxidative stress.