Exposure of human glioblastoma cells to thimerosal inhibits the thioredoxin system and decreases tumor growth-related factors.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common, aggressive, and fatal primary malignant brain tumor in adults. The therapeutic efficacy of temozolomide (TMZ) is limited owing to frequent treatment resistance. The latter is in part related to the overexpression of redox systems such as the thioredoxin system. This system is fundamental for cell survival and proliferation, regulating hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1α) activity, in turn controlling vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which is indispensable for tumor invasiveness, angiogenesis and microenvironment maintenance. HIF-1α can also be regulated by the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), an oncogene stimulated by pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. The thioredoxin system has several known inhibitors including mercury compounds such as Thimerosal (TmHg) which readily crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and accumulates in the brain. Though previously used in various applications epidemiological evidence on TmHg's neurotoxicity is lacking. The objective of this study was to verify whether thimerosal is a suitable candidate for hard repurposing to control glioblastoma; therefore, the effects of this molecule were evaluated in human GBM (U87) cells. Our novel results show that TmHg decreased cellular viability (>50%) and migration (up to 90% decrease in wound closure), reduced thioredoxin reductase (TrxR/TXNRD1) and thioredoxin (Trx) activity, and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Moreover, TmHg reduced HIF-1α expression (35%) as observed by immunofluorescence. Co-exposure of U87 cells to TmHg and TMZ reduced HIF-1α, VEGF, and phosphorylated STAT3. Consequently, TmHg alone or combined with chemotherapeutic drugs can reduce neoangiogenesis and ameliorate glioblastoma progression and treatment.

Assessment of thimerosal effects in sublethal concentrations on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos exploring NMR-based metabolomics profile.

Thimerosal, a preservative commonly used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry, has raised concerns regarding its potentially toxic effects as an organic mercury compound. Within this context, using an NMR-based metabolomics profile and chemometric analysis, zebrafish embryos were used as an in vivo model to study the effects of thimerosal in metabolic profiles after exposure to sublethal concentrations of the mercury compound. The thimerosal concentrations of 40 and 80 nM were employed, corresponding to 40% and 80% of the LC50, respectively, for zebrafish embryos. The most significant alterations in the metabolic profile included changes in carbohydrates, amino acids, nucleotides, trimethylamine-N-oxide, ethanolamine, betaine, and ethanol. Furthermore, thimerosal exposure affects various metabolic pathways, impairing the nervous system, disrupting protein metabolism, and potentially causing oxidative damage. Therefore, adopting a metabolomics approach in this investigation provided insights into the potentially implicated metabolic pathways contributing to the deleterious effects of thimerosal in biological systems.

The emerging role of α7nAChRs/caspase-3/Nrf-2 signaling pathway in citicoline improved autistic behavior induced by thimerosal in mice.

AIMS: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a global concern,affecting around 75 million individuals.Various factors contribute to ASD,including mercury-containing preservatives like thimerosal (Thim) found in some vaccines.This study explored whether citicoline could be a therapeutic option for Thim-induced neuronal damage in a mouse model of ASD.Additionally,the study investigated the effects of citicoline on the α7nAChRs/Akt/Nrf2/caspase-3 pathway,which may be involved in the development of ASD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study separated newborn mice into four groups.The control group received saline injections,while the Thim group received intramuscular injections of 3000 µg Hg/kg Thim on days 7,9,11,and 15 after birth.The two citicoline groups were administered Thim followed by intraperitoneal injections of 250 mg/kg or 500 mg/kg citicoline for three weeks.Afterward,various parameters were assessed, including growth,behavior,brain histopathology,oxidative stress,apoptotic,and inflammatory markers. KEY FINDINGS: Untreated Thim-exposed mice exhibited significant brain damage,which was substantially alleviated by citicoline treatment.This beneficial effect was associated with increased expressions and concentrations of brain α7nAChRs and Akt, increased brain content of Nrf2, and the hippocampus contents of acetylcholine. Citicoline treatment decreased the brain levels of oxidative stress markers (MDA and NO),the apoptotic marker caspase-3,and pro-inflammatory markers (NF-κB,TNF-α,and IL-1ß). The drug also increased the brain GPx activity. SIGNIFICANCE: Based on the results of this study,the α7nAChRs pathway appears to be essential for the therapeutic effectiveness of citicoline in treating Thim-induced ASD in mice.

Does acute exposure to thimerosal, an organic mercury compound, affect the mitochondrial function of an infant model?

BACKGROUND: Thimerosal (TM) is a toxic, organometallic mercury compound (which releases ethyl-mercury-containing compounds in aqueous solutions) used as a preservative in vaccines. Mitochondria are organelle which are highly vulnerable to many chemical compounds, including mercury (Hg) and its derivatives. METHOD: Wistar rats (at 21 days of age) were used to model a child's TM exposure following childhood vaccination, divided in two groups: TM exposed (20 µg/kg/day) and unexposed controls (saline solution), both for 24 h. Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry was used to quantify the amounts of mercury in tissues. The electron transport chain (ETC) from isolated mitochondria was evaluated using an oxygen electrode. The mitochondrial membrane potential and H2O2 production were analyzed using selective fluorescence probes. The activity of some enzymes (SOD, CAT, GPx, and AChE) and secondary markers of oxidative stress (GSH, GSSG, total free thiol) were also examined in tissues. RESULTS: Hg accumulation in the brain and liver was higher in exposed animals when compared to the control. Liver-isolated mitochondria showed that TM improved respiratory control by 23%; however, states 3 and 4 of the ETC presented a decrease of 16% and 37%, respectively. Furthermore, brain-isolated mitochondria presented an improvement of 61% in respiratory control. Brain enzyme activities were significantly impacted in TM-exposed rats compared to unexposed rats as follows: decreases in SOD (32%) and AChE (42%) and increases in GPx (79%) and CAT (100%). GPx enzyme activity in the liver was significantly increased (37%). Among secondary oxidative stress markers, the brain's total reduced thiol (SH) concentration was significantly increased (41%). CONCLUSION: Acute TM treatment exposure in a Wistar rat model mimicking TM exposure in an infant following childhood vaccination significantly damaged brain bioenergetic pathways. This study supports the ability of TM exposure to preferentially damage the nervous system.

The association of cysteine to thiomersal attenuates its apoptosis-mediated cytotoxicity in zebrafish.

Thiomersal (TM) is an excellent preservative that is used in a wide variety of products, like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and vaccines, etc. Its usage has been in decline because of safety concerns. Since vaccine production is on the rise, its use may increase further in low-income and developing countries, as a cost-effective vaccine preservative. Further, Thiomersal is still being used as an essential component in various pharmaceutical preparations. In this light, the present study addresses its mechanism of toxicity in zebrafish and unveils a novel strategy for lessening its negative effects by conjugating cysteine to it, while retaining its antibacterial efficacy. We show that the mitochondrial membrane potential is destabilised by TM, leading to the induction of apoptosis. Interestingly, TM-cysteine conjugate (at a ratio of 1:1) showed no toxicity in zebrafish, whereas TM alone was highly toxic. Importantly, assaying for the bactericidal activity, tested using Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), revealed that the conjugate retains the antibacterial activity, demonstrating that the TM-cysteine conjugate is a safer alternative to TM as a vaccine preservative, and in all the other products that still use TM.

Sex-specific impacts of thimerosal on the behaviors and brain monoaminergic systems in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Thimerosal (THI) is the most widely used form of organic mercury in pharmaceutical and personal care products, and has become a major source of ethylmercury pollution in aquatic ecosystems. However, knowledge about its potential risk to aquatic species is limited. In this study, zebrafish were exposed to THI for 7 days, and variations in their behavioral traits, brain monoaminergic neurotransmitter contents, and related gene expression were investigated. After the 7-day exposure, THI reduced locomotor activity and thigmotaxis in males but not females. Exposure to THI increased the social interaction between females but decreased that between males. The THI exposure also significantly reduced the serotonin (5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, dopamine (DA), and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid contents in the brain of males, but only significantly decreased the DA content in females. Correlation analysis revealed that the neurochemical alterations in the brain of zebrafish play critical roles in the behavioral abnormalities induced by THI exposure. Moreover, THI also significantly altered the expression of some genes associated with the synthesis, metabolism, and receptor binding of 5-HT and DA in the brain of zebrafish. The differences in these gene expressions between female and male zebrafish exposed to THI seem to be an important mechanism underlying their sex-specific responses to this chemical. This is the first report on the sex-specific effects of THI on behaviors and brain monoaminergic neurotransmitter contents in zebrafish, which can further improve our understanding of its toxic effects on teleost.

Preservative contact allergy in occupational dermatitis: a machine learning analysis.

Occupational dermatoses impose a significant socioeconomic burden. Allergic contact dermatitis related to occupation is prevalent among healthcare workers, cleaning service personnel, individuals in the beauty industry and industrial workers. Among risk factors, the exposure to preservatives is frequent, since they are extensively added in products for occupational use. The goal of this study is to investigate the contact allergy patterns in order to understand the linkage among hypersensitivity to preservatives, occupational profiles, patients' clinical and demographic characteristics. Patch test results were collected from monosensitized patients to Formaldehyde 2%, KATHON 0.02%, thimerosal 0.1%, and MDBGN 0.5%; information was also collected for an extended MOAHLFA (Male-Occupational-Atopic-Hand-Leg-Face-Age) index. To assess the relationship between allergen group and occupational-related ACD, the chi-square test for independence was utilized. To uncover underlying relationships in the data, multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and categorical principal components analysis (CATPCA), which are machine learning approaches, were applied. Significant relationships were found between allergen group and: occupation class, atopy, hand, leg, facial, trunk, neck, head dermatitis, clinical characteristics, ICDRG 48 h and ICDRG 72 h clinical evaluation. MCA and CATPCA findings revealed a link among allergen group, occupation class, patients' demographic and clinical characteristics, the MOAHLFA index, and the ICDRG scores. Significant relationships were identified between the allergen group and various manifestations of dermatitis. The utilization of machine learning techniques facilitated the discernment of meaningful patterns in the data.

Toxicological effects of thimerosal on rat kidney: a histological and biochemical study / Efeitos toxicológicos do timerosal no rim de rato: um estudo histológico e bioquímico

Thimerosal is an organomercurial compound, which is used in the preparation of intramuscular immunoglobulin, antivenoms, tattoo inks, skin test antigens, nasal products, ophthalmic drops, and vaccines as a preservative. In most of animal species and humans, the kidney is one of the main sites for mercurial compounds deposition and target organs for toxicity. So, the current research was intended to assess the thimerosal induced nephrotoxicity in male rats. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were categorized into four groups. The first group was a control group. Rats of Group-II, Group-III, and Group-IV were administered with 0.5µg/kg, 10µg/kg, and 50µg/kg of thimerosal once a day, respectively. Thimerosal administration significantly decreased the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione (GSH), and protein content while increased the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels dose-dependently. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, urobilinogen, urinary proteins, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels were substantially increased. In contrast, urinary albumin and creatinine clearance was reduced dose-dependently in thimerosal treated groups. The results demonstrated that thimerosal significantly increased the inflammation indicators including nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activities, DNA and histopathological damages dose-dependently. So, the present findings ascertained that thimerosal exerted nephrotoxicity in male albino rats.

O timerosal é um composto organomercurial, utilizado na preparação de imunoglobulina intramuscular, antivenenos, tintas de tatuagem, antígenos de teste cutâneo, produtos nasais, gotas oftálmicas e vacinas como conservante. Na maioria das espécies animais e nos humanos, o rim é um dos principais locais de deposição de compostos de mercúrio e órgãos-alvo de toxicidade. Assim, a presente pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a nefrotoxicidade induzida pelo timerosal em ratos machos. Vinte e quatro ratos albinos machos adultos foram categorizados em quatro grupos. O primeiro grupo era um grupo de controle. Ratos do Grupo II, Grupo III e Grupo IV receberam 0,5µg / kg, 10µg / kg e 50µg / kg de timerosal uma vez ao dia, respectivamente. A administração de timerosal diminuiu significativamente as atividades de catalase (CAT), superóxido dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), glutationa redutase (GR), glutationa (GSH) e conteúdo de proteína, enquanto aumentou as substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) e peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) níveis dependentes da dose. Os níveis de nitrogênio ureico no sangue (BUN), creatinina, urobilinogênio, proteínas urinárias, molécula de lesão renal-1 (KIM-1) e lipocalina associada à gelatinase de neutrófilos (NGAL) aumentaram substancialmente. Em contraste, a albumina urinária e a depuração da creatinina foram reduzidas de forma dependente da dose nos grupos tratados com timerosal. Os resultados demonstraram que o timerosal aumentou significativamente os indicadores de inflamação, incluindo fator nuclear kappaB (NF-κB), fator de necrose tumoral-α (TNF-α), interleucina-1β (IL-1β), níveis de interleucina-6 (IL-6) e atividades da ciclooxigenase-2 (COX-2), DNA e danos histopatológicos dependentes da dose. Portanto, os presentes achados verificaram que o timerosal exerceu nefrotoxicidade em ratos albinos machos.

Prevalencia y causas de ceguera en Perú: encuesta nacional / National survey on the prevalence and causes of blindness in Peru

OBJETIVO: Estimar la prevalencia de ceguera y deficiencia visual en adultos de Perú y precisar sus causas, evaluar la cobertura y la calidad de los servicios de cirugía de catarata y determinar las barreras que impiden acceder a esos servicios. MÉTODOS: Estudio poblacional transversal con muestreo aleatorio por conglomerado en dos pasos de personas de 50 años o más, representativo de todo el país, mediante la metodología estándar de la Evaluación Rápida de Ceguera Evitable. Se midió la agudeza visual y se examinó el cristalino y el polo posterior por oftalmoscopía directa. Se calculó la cobertura de cirugía de catarata y se evaluó su calidad, además de las causas de tener una agudeza visual < 20/60 y las barreras para acceder a ese tratamiento. RESULTADOS:Se examinaron 4 849 personas. La prevalencia de ceguera fue 2,0% (intervalo de confianza de 95%: 1,5-2,5%). La catarata fue la causa principal de ceguera (58,0%), seguida por el glaucoma (13,7%) y la degeneración macular relacionada con la edad (11,5%). Los errores de refracción no corregidos fueron la principal causa de deficiencia visual moderada (67,2%). La cobertura de cirugía de catarata fue de 66,9%, y 60,5% de los ojos operados de catarata logró una AV ≥ 20/60 con la corrección disponible. Las principales barreras para someterse a la cirugía de catarata fueron el alto costo (25,9%) y no saber que el tratamiento es posible (23,8%). CONCLUSIONES: La prevalencia de ceguera y deficiencia visual en Perú es similar a la de otros países latinoamericanos. La baja cobertura de cirugía de catarata y el envejecimiento poblacional indican que para aumentar el acceso a estos servicios se debe mejorar la educación de la población en salud ocular y la capacidad resolutiva de los servicios oftalmológicos y de cirugía de catarata, y reducir su costo.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of blindness and visual impairment among adults in Peru and to determine their causes, to evaluate the coverage and quality of the cataract surgical services and to investigate the barriers that inhibit access to these services. METHODS: A cross-sectional population study with two-stage random cluster sampling of individuals of ≥ 50 years old, representative of the entire country, using the standard methodology of the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness. Visual acuity was assessed and the condition of the lens and posterior pole examined by direct ophthalmoscopy. Cataract surgical coverage was calculated. Its quality, as well as the causes of visual acuity < 20/60 and the barriers to accessing surgical treatment were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 4 849 people were examined. Blindness prevalence was 2.0% (confidence interval of 95%: 1.5-2.5%). The main causes of blindness were cataract (58.0%), glaucoma (13.7%) and age-related macular degeneration (11.5%). Uncorrected refraction errors were the principal cause of moderate visual impairment (67.2%). Cataract surgical coverage was 66.9%. 60.5% of the eyes operated for cataracts achieved a visual acuity ≥ 20/60 with available correction. The main barriers to cataract surgery were the high cost (25.9%) and people being unaware that treatment was possible (23.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of blindness and visual impairment in Peru is similar to that of other Latin American countries. Given the low cataract surgical coverage and the aging of the population, access to the services could be improved by increasing the population education on eye health and the response capacity of the ophthalmological and cataract surgical services, and by reducing the costs of the latter.

Timerosal en las vacunas: ¿blanco, negro, o más bien todo lo contrario? / Thimerosal in vaccines: white, black, or quite the opposite?

El presente artículo tiene por objetivo analizar la controversia ocurrida en Chile, especialmente durante los últimos meses, en relación a un proyecto de ley que busca prohibir la fabricación, importación, comercialización o distribución de vacunas que contengan dentro de sus compuestos, en cualquier nivel de concentración, timerosal o compuestos organomercúricos. Sin constituir una síntesis formal de toda la investigación existente, se analiza la evidencia científica que los distintos actores han utilizado, las razones de la controversia y las anomalías en el proceso de toma de decisión sanitaria.

This article analyzes the recent controversy regarding the introduction of a bill to Chilean Congress that aims to ban thiomersal and/or any trace of organomercurial compounds from vaccines in the country. Rather than providing a formal overview of all available evidence, this analysis focuses on the reasons behind the controversy, the scientific evidence invoked by both sides in the debate, and the anomalies in the healthcare decision-making process.

J'accuse desde la bioética: análisis de la discusión sobre el timerosal en Chile / A bioethical j’accuse: analysis of the discussion around thiomersal in Chile

El Poder Legislativo chileno propone una ley que elimine el timerosal como preservante de las vacunas parenterales del Programa Nacional de Inmunizaciones, proyecto que el Poder Ejecutivo se ha propuesto vetar. El mundo científico informa mayoritariamente que la sospecha de neurotoxicidad atribuida al timerosal es infundada. Pese a ello, las autoridades médicas han oscilado entre sostener que la precaución sugiere apoyar la ley y en otros momentos han manifestando que es más precautorio mantener los programas de vacunación actualmente vigentes. Estas contradicciones y oposiciones ilustran que materias que conciernen a la ciudadanía, requieren una reflexión bioética acabada sobre las políticas públicas sanitarias. Han quedado claro las deficiencias de la deliberación política y la falta de participación social en decisiones que, dado el grado de incertidumbre involucrada en temas como inmunización, requieren no sólo la inclusión de la ciudadanía sino el respeto de la autonomía individual para aceptar o rechazar la inclusión en los programas de vacunación propuestos por las políticas sanitarias. La participación ciudadana en nuestro país se ve severamente limitada por la falta de instrumentos sociales como el plebiscito, el ombudsman y, especialmente, la desidia en crear la Comisión Nacional de Bioética exigida por la Ley 20.120 de 2006, una de cuyas funciones más importantes es mediar deliberativamente entre legos, expertos y políticos en la generación de políticas sanitarias legitimadas por la participación ciudadana.

Chilean legislators have voted to ban vaccines preserved with thiomersal, an initiative that the Executive has vetoed. Most scientific evidence has dismissed the alleged toxicity of this substance, in accordance with the formal and publicly expressed opinion of local experts, and yet, medical authorities have issued contradictory statements. Some have argued that the principle of precaution suggests eliminating thiomersal preserved vaccines; others have declared that current vaccines should be maintained to protect the population. From the perspective of bioethics, this polemic is another example of the shortcoming of the deliberation process leading to controversial laws in lieu of including citizens in the discussion of regulations that harbor uncertainties, and respect for individual autonomy to accept or reject public immunization programs. The Chilean legal system has been unwilling to implement participatory democratic procedures like plebiscites or institutions such as the ombudsman. In 2006 a law was enacted that creates a National Commission of Bioethics, but successive governments have failed to create such a commission, which is an efficient social instrument to conduct deliberation on bioethical issues that require a balanced participation of the public, experts, and politicians.

La evidencia acerca de la controversia de las vacunas que contienen timerosal y su asociación con el autismo / Addressing the controversy regarding the association between thimerosal-containing vaccines and autism

La vacunación es una de las medidas de mayor impacto en la salud pública para la reducción de la morbimortalidad infantil. El timerosal es un compuesto orgánico del mercurio utilizado como preservante de los frascos multidosis. Eventualmente, en el Perú, surgen olas de controversia acerca de la seguridad de estas vacunas, asociándolas especialmente con el autismo. Como resultado de estas controversias, se han propuesto, incluso, leyes que prohíben este tipo de vacunas, lo que tendría un importante impacto en los costos y en los aspectos logísticos de la estrategia nacional de vacunación. En este artículo se revisa la literatura sobre las principales controversias acerca de las vacunas que contienen timerosal y su supuesta asociación con el autismo. Se realiza una aproximación histórica sobre estas controversias, se hace una actualización de la evidencia científica disponible al momento, y se revisa la posición de los organismos internacionales más importantes con respecto a este tema. Se concluye que la evidencia científica no apoya la noción que exista una asociación entre el uso del timerosal en las vacunas con los trastornos del espectro autista en niños.

Vaccination is one of the most important public health interventions in the reduction childhood morbidity and mortality. Thimerosal is an organic mercury compound used as preservante in multi-dose vials. Often in Peru, there are waves of controversy about the safety of this type of vaccines, mainly arguing that there is an association between them and autism. As a result of these controversies, there have been some voices asking for laws banning thimerosal-containing vaccines, which would have a large impact in costs and the logistic aspects of the public vaccination programs. The aim of this article is to review the literature for the main controversies about thimerosal in vaccines and its supposed association to autism. We made an historical review about these controversies given the available scientific evidence and the statements from important international organizations. We concluded that the current available evidence do not support an association between thimerosal and childhood neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism.

Comparative evaluation of phenol and thimerosal as preservatives for a candidate vaccine against American cutaneous leishmaniasis

For decades thimerosal has been used as a preservative in the candidate vaccine for cutaneous leishmaniasis, which was developed by Mayrink et al. The use of thimerosal in humans has been banned due to its mercury content. This study addresses the standardization of phenol as a new candidate vaccine preservative. We have found that the proteolytic activity was abolished when the test was conducted using the candidate vaccine added to merthiolate (MtVac) as well as to phenol (PhVac). The Montenegro's skin test conversion rates induced by MtVac and by PhVac was 68.06 percent and 85.9 percent, respectively, and these values were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The proliferative response of peripheral mononuclear blood cells shows that the stimulation index of mice immunized with both candidate vaccines was higher than the one in control animals (p < 0.05). The ability of the candidate vaccines to induce protection in C57BL/10 mice against a challenge with infective Leishmania amazonensis promastigotes was tested and the mice immunized with PhVac developed smaller lesions than the mice immunized with MtVac. Electrophoresis of phenol-preserved antigen revealed a number of proteins, which were better preserved in PhVac. These results do in fact encourage the use of phenol for preserving the immunogenic and biochemical properties of the candidate vaccine for cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Tratamientos biológicos del autismo y dietas de eliminación / Biological treatments of autism, elimination diets: a critical review

This paper presents some critical considerations regarding the growing adoption, by families, of alternative treatments and diets for the treatment of various disorders like autism in children. Research does not seem to support such practices, with the exception of the relationship between timesoral and vaccines, neurological and cardiac disorders. Issues to consider are pointed out in the need to opt for biological treatments, and the need for families and research teams to work together for the purpose of clarifying such procedures.

El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar consideraciones críticas en relación a la creciente adopción, por parte de las familias de niños con trastornos del desarrollo, de tratamientos alternativos y dietas para reducir los síntomas de diversas alteraciones tales como el autismo, SDAH y otros. Las investigaciones no parecen apoyar tales prácticas, a excepción de la creciente evidencia de la relación entre el timerosal de las vacunas y afecciones cardíacas y neurológicas. Se señalan los elementos a tener en cuenta para optar por los tratamientos biológicos y dietas, junto con insistir en la necesidad de mancomunar esfuerzos entre familias y equipos de investigación para desarrollar estudios que clarifiquen los efectos de tales procedimientos.

O uso de Timerosal em vacinas, as implicações para o Programa Nacional de Imunizações Brasileiro e a nova Convenção de Minamata sobre o mercúrio / The use of Thimerosal in vaccines, the implications for the Brazilian National Immunization Program and the new Minamata Convention on Mercury

Este trabalho teve por objetivo contextualizar a discussão em relação ao uso de Timerosal em Vacinas e suas implicações para a saúde das pessoas, tendo em vista a discussão no Conselho de Ministros do Programa das Nações Unidas para o Meio Ambiente (PNUMA), onde se montou um Grupo de Trabalho para o estabelecimento de uma Convenção com o objetivo de banir o metal mercúrio e seus subprodutos do uso cotidiano, como forma de reduzir a exposição antrópica e a toxidade desse elemento em todas as cadeias humanas de produção. Nesse processo de discussão, com a participação dos Países Partes do PNUMA, da sociedade civil internacional,da academia, de outros Órgãos das Nações Unidas - a exemplo da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) - e da indústria, foi concretizada a Convenção de Minamata para o Mercúrio. Esse trabalho reflete as participações do pesquisador nos encontros entre os Países e inúmeras outras reuniões entre os grupos de contato, onde participou como delegado do Ministério da Saúde.Trabalhos de pesquisa, onde o pesquisador é ator participante da discussão e de seus ensinamentos, permitem uma visão do contexto da criação da normatização que tem utilidade no contexto de Políticas Públicas para o Setor Saúde.

This study aimed to contextualize the discussion regarding the use of Thimerosal in vaccines and their implications for human health, in view of the discussion in the Council of Ministers of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), where a Working Group was set for the establishment of a Convention with the purpose of banning mercury and by products of every day use, as a way to reduce anthropogenic exposure and toxicity of this element in all human production chains. The Minamata Convention on Mercury is the result of a process of discussion, with the participation of UNEP Country Parties, international civil society, academia, other United Nations bodies - such as the World Health Organization (WHO) - and industry. This work reflects the participation of the researcher, as delegate of the Ministry of Health, to the meetings of the Working Groups, and all other ones held by contact groups, and its learning, which made possible to be inside the context of the creation of norms, which is useful to a better understanding of Public Policies for the Health Sector.

O uso de Timerosal em vacinas, as implicações para o Programa Nacional de Imunizações Brasileiro e a nova Convenção de Minamata sobre o mercúrio / The use of Thimerosal in vaccines, the implications for the Brazilian National Immunization Program and the new Minamata Convention on Mercury

Este trabalho teve por objetivo contextualizar a discussão em relação ao uso de Timerosal em Vacinas e suas implicações para a saúde das pessoas, tendo em vista a discussão no Conselho de Ministros do Programa das Nações Unidas para o Meio Ambiente (PNUMA), onde se montou um Grupo de Trabalho para o estabelecimento de uma Convenção com o objetivo de banir o metal mercúrio e seus subprodutos do uso cotidiano, como forma de reduzir a exposição antrópica e a toxidade desse elemento em todas as cadeias humanas de produção. Nesse processo de discussão, com a participação dos Países Partes do PNUMA, da sociedade civil internacional, da academia, de outros Órgãos das Nações Unidas - a exemplo da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) - e da indústria, foi concretizada a Convenção de Minamata para o Mercúrio. Esse trabalho reflete as participações do pesquisador nos encontros entre os Países e inúmeras outras reuniões entre os grupos de contato, onde participou como delegado do Ministério da Saúde. Trabalhos de pesquisa, onde o pesquisador é ator participante da discussão e de seus ensinamentos, permitem uma visão do contexto da criação da normatização que tem utilidade no contexto de Políticas Públicas para o Setor Saúde.