Acrylamide and Related α,β-Unsaturated Carbonyl Derivatives

Acrylamide is a weak electrophile and a member of a large class of structurally related type-2 alkenes that includes acrolein and other well-known toxicants. Human exposure occurs through occupation, pollution, diet, and cigarette smoking and can result in mental status changes, ataxia, and skeletal muscle weakness. Acrylamide neurotoxicity appears to be mediated by early nerve terminal dysfunction in the peripheral and central nervous systems. Although the precise mechanism is unknown, acrylamide can inhibit presynaptic protein function by forming covalent bonds (adducts) with sulfhydryl thiolate groups on corresponding cysteine residues. Some evidence also suggests that acrylamide is a developmental toxicant and a possible carcinogen.