Two recent studies provide insight into the negative consequences of metal exposures. The first study by RG Sangani has been the first to demonstrate metals in air pollution can negatively alter the normal coagulation properties of blood which may contribute to disease. He shows that "except for nickel, all metal sulfates shortened the whole-blood coagulation time. Iron and zinc were two metals with the greatest capacity to reduce the coagulation time at test levels. This support a past study by Baccarelli that reported alterations in coagulation time, more specifically, hypercoagulability to short-term exposure to air pollutants. This condition may complicate cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as well, contribute to other complications in a wide variety of health conditions.
The second study provides further clarification of recent findings of metal toxicity and provides more support that ammonia accumulation may influence environmental diseases. In addition, it also supports the idea that defiencies in Nrf2 may augment the effects because one role for Nrf2 is protection of astrocytes. It has been notes in the past, important pathways exist between peripheral organs such as the liver and the brain. As NIOSH recently discovered through a recent study this antioxidant system along with the AhR plays an important role in determining the responses to oxidative chemicals, heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic chemicals. They also point out that effective biomarkers that target this this receptor may be used to identify the relative toxicity of an " occupational chemical" and should be able to be expanded determining toxicities to a large variety of chemicals.
"When reading the following, one must at least consider what health effects occur in limited exposures and their impact on those more vulnerable. A recent study demonstrated new findings of toxic heavy metal exposures that may lead to extremely detrimental effects. As Butterworth explains, "changes to astrocytes (Alzheimer type II astrocytosis) are a major feature of hepatocerebral disorders. Neurological symptoms include Parkinsonism, cognitive dysfunction, and ataxia. (All conditions which I have suggested could be important indicators of environmental toxicity.) Pathophysiologic mechanisms responsible for cerebral dysfunction and neuronal cell death in hepatocerebral disorders include ammonia toxicity and neurotoxic effects of metals such as copper, manganese, and iron. Molecular mechanisms of neurotoxicity include oxidative/nitrosative stress, glutamate (NMDA)-receptor-mediated excitotoxicity, and neuroinflammatory mechanisms.....Management and treatment of hepatocerebral disorders include chelation therapy (Wilson's Disease), the use of ammonia-lowering agents (lactulose, antibiotics, ornithine aspartate) and liver transplantation." Because liver injury can occur from chronic toxic exposures, some of the mechanisms above need to be considered when "formulating a toxic exposure footprint". Also, consideration of any genetic tendencies in families and chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease may potentiate liver injury should be discussed with a physician.
Notes:
I recently posted a link that discusses the hazards of copper and one should look diligently for alternative sources of metal exposures including drinking from copper pipes." The following article is short and a must read http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7018340136
HEIRS H&H
Baccarelli, A., Zanobetti, A., Martinelli, I., Grillo, P., Hou, L., Giacomini, S., Bonzini, M., Lanzani, G., Mannucci, P. M., Bertazzi, P. A., and Schwartz, J. (2007). Effects of exposure to air pollution on blood coagulation. Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH, 5(2):252-260. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/1053682
Sangani, R. G., Soukup, J. M., and Ghio, A. J. (2010). Metals in air pollution particles decrease whole-blood coagulation time. Inhalation toxicology. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/7074904
Butterworth, R. F. (2010). Metal toxicity, liver disease and neurodegeneration. Neurotoxicity research. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/7074949
Butterworth, R. F. (2010). Metal toxicity, liver disease and neurodegeneration. Neurotoxicity research. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/7074949
Ma, Qiang. February 10, 2010. Protection Against Occupational Disease by Xenobiotic-Activated Receptors.NIOSH. Retrieved on April 23, 2010. http://wwwtest.cdc.gov/niosh/programs/manuf/noragoals/projects/927ZGFU.html
No comments:
Post a Comment