Introduction: Most of the molybdenum (Mo) is used in metallurgical applications, the tetrathiomolybdate form is an experimental chelating agent for Wilson's disease. Human data of acute Mo exposure are lacking and, no report of no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) has been described until now. Case-study: We report a case of acute occupational exposure to molybdenum, with the related plasma and urine molybdenum concentrations, caused by an accidental ingestion of a sip of an anti-corrosion liquid for metal containing sodium molybdate. Our purpose was to evaluate potential systemic toxicity of molybdenum and to evaluate the dose-response/dose-effect relationship. We estimated the amount of ingested molybdenum to make a mg/kg relationship and performed repeated urine and plasma molybdenum determinations. The patient was hospitalized for three days to monitor possible development of acute symptoms/biochemical alterations. Discussion: We estimated the amount of the sip around 50 ml, with an estimation of a total of 5 gr of sodium molybdate that, for the patient bodyweight of 80 kg, would mean 62,5 mg/kg of ingested Mo. Blood and urine samples collected 2 hours after ingestion showed 50 mcg/L (reference range: 0.43 – 1.8 mcg/L) and 630 mcg/L (refence range: up to 116 mcg/L) of Mo respectively, confirming acute exposure. The patients remained asymptomatic confirming that an estimated oral dose of Mo of 62.5 mg/kg was not associated with adverse effects. Conclusions: Our value, being extrapolated by a single case, will require further confirmations from other studies to allow a full evaluation of a NOAEL. Nevertheless, it does not preclude its use in evaluating the probable absence of adverse effect in the context of acute Mo exposure.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common comorbidity associated with hypertension that occurs more often in primary aldosteronism (PA). Our work aims to investigate the prevalence of MetS and its determinants in unilateral PA and bilateral PA, as confirmed by adrenal venous sampling (AVS). Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. We investigated metabolic indicators in 160 cases of PA, categorized by AVS—82 with unilateral PA and 78 with bilateral PA. A control group of 80 non-PA patients with essential hypertension, matched for age and sex, was also included. Results: Unilateral PA had a higher aldosterone–renin ratio and lower serum potassium levels than bilateral PA. Nevertheless, bilateral PA exhibited a higher prevalence of MetS (41% vs. 30.5%; p = 0.001), obesity, BMI, LDL hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia than unilateral PA. Conclusions: Bilateral PA presents a greater incidence of MetS than unilateral PA, in spite of the latter showing a higher aldosterone–renin ratio and lower serum potassium levels. The results suggest that the mechanisms underlying MetS may differ between unilateral and bilateral PA.