Tag: metals

Serum concentrations of some metals and steroids in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome with reference to neurological and cognitive abnormalities

Abstract:

Chronic fatigue syndrome is defined by the Atlanta Centers for Disease Control (Atlanta, GA, USA) as debilitating fatigue lasting for longer than 6 months. Symptoms include disturbances of cognition. Certain factors have in the past been shown to influence cognition, including metals such as aluminum, iron, and zinc; and steroids such as dehydroepiandrosterone.

In the present study, concentrations of these factors were determined in the serum and plasma of patients and their age- and gender-matched healthy controls (10 women and 5 men in each group). In addition, copper, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, cortisol, cholesterol, hemoglobin, ferritin and transferrin concentrations, as well as transferrin genetic subtypes were determined in both groups.

The results indicate that patients had significantly increased serum aluminum and decreased iron compared to controls. In the females, serum iron and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate were significantly decreased and correlated. Total cholesterol was significantly increased, and significantly negatively correlated with dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate. There were no differences in zinc, copper, cortisol, hemoglobin, transferrin and ferritin concentrations, or in transferrin genetic subtypes.

 

Source: van Rensburg SJ, Potocnik FC, Kiss T, Hugo F, van Zijl P, Mansvelt E, Carstens ME, Theodorou P, Hurly PR, Emsley RA, Taljaard JJ. Serum concentrations of some metals and steroids in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome with reference to neurological and cognitive abnormalities. Brain Res Bull. 2001 May 15;55(2):319-25. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11470334

 

Metal-specific lymphocytes: biomarkers of sensitivity in man

Abstract:

Many patients attribute their health problems to amalgam and other dental metals. In genetically susceptible indviduals, mercury and gold may function as haptens and elicit allergic and autoimmune reactions.

The frequency of metal-induced lymphocyte responses was examined in 3,162 patients in three European laboratories using MELISA(R), an optimized lymphocyte proliferation test. The patients suffered from local and systemic symptoms attributed to dental restorations. The effect of dental metal removal was studied in 111 patients with metal hypersensitivity and symptoms resembling Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS).

After consultation with a dentist the patients decided to replace their metal restorations with non-metallic materials. The changes in health and in vitro lymphocyte reactivity were studied by inquiries and follow-up MELISA(R). Lymphocyte reactivity was also analyzed in 116 healthy subjects with no complaints of metal allergy.

A significant number of patients had metal-specific lymphocytes in the blood. Nickel was the most common sensitizer, followed by inorganic mercury, gold, phenylmercury, cadmium and palladium. As compared to lymphocyte responses in healthy subjects, the CFS group had significantly increased responses to several metals, especially to inorganic mercury, phenylmercury and gold.

Following dental metal removal, 83 patients (76%) reported long-term health improvement. Twenty-four patients (22%) reported unchanged health and two (2%) reported worsening of symptoms. Following dental metal replacement, the lymphocyte reactivity to metals decreased as well.

We propose that an inflammatory process induced by metals may modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis) and trigger multiple non-specific symptoms characterizing CFS and other chronic conditions like myalgic encephalitis (ME) and multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS).

 

Source: Stejskal VD, Danersund A, Lindvall A, Hudecek R, Nordman V, Yaqob A, Mayer W, Bieger W, Lindh U. Metal-specific lymphocytes: biomarkers of sensitivity in man. Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 1999;20(5):289-298. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11460087

 

MELISA-an in vitro tool for the study of metal allergy

Abstract:

The sensitizing properties of metals widely used in medical and dental care have been studied with the help of an optimized lymphocyte proliferative assay, MELISA. MELISA (memory lymphocyte immuno-stimulation assay) was originally developed for the screening of allergenic epitopes of drugs and other chemicals of low molecular weight, but has recently been adapted for the study of metal-induced sensitization.

The patients studied suffered from various oral mucosal problems which were suspected to be caused by the release of metal ions from dental restorations. They were also troubled by chronic fatigue persisting over many years. One patient was also occupationally exposed to metals while working in a dental practice. Healthy subjects without any discomfort due to metal devices served as controls. In addition to metals used in dentistry, lymphocyte responses to organic mercurials used widely as preservatives in vaccines, eye/nose drops and contact lense fluids were studied.

The results indicated that mercurials, as well as other metals such as gold or palladium, induce strong lymphocyte proliferative responses in patients with oral or systemic symptoms, but not in similarly exposed unaffected subjects.

The results of MELISA performed with a pair of identical twins with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) indicated that metal-specific responses may be dependent on the genetics of the patient. Thus, many metals that are today accepted for use in medicine and dentistry carry a definite sensitizing risk for certain genetically predisposed individuals. Therefore, the use of these metals should be limited in the future.

 

Source: Stejskal VD, Cederbrant K, Lindvall A, Forsbeck M. MELISA-an in vitro tool for the study of metal allergy. Toxicol In Vitro. 1994 Oct;8(5):991-1000. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20693060