Unknown risk: co-exposure to lead and other heavy metals among children living in small-scale mining communities in Zamfara State, Nigeria.

The lead poisoning crisis in Zamfara State, Northern Nigeria has been called the worst such case in modern history and it presents unique challenges for risk assessment and management of co-exposure to multiple heavy metals. More than 400 children have died in Zamfara as a result of ongoing lead intoxication since early in 2010. A review of the common toxic endpoints of the major heavy metals advances analysis of co-exposures and their common pathologies. Environmental contamination in Bagega village, examined by X-ray fluorescence of soils, includes lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and manganese. Co-exposure risk is explored by scoring common toxic endpoints and hazard indices to calculate a common pathology hazard risk ranking of Pb > As > Hg >> Cd > Mn. Zamfara presents an extreme picture of both lead and multiple heavy metal mortality and morbidity, but similar situations have become increasingly prevalent worldwide.

Evaluation of effects of copper histidine on copper transporter 1-mediated accumulation of platinum and oxaliplatin-induced neurotoxicity in vitro and in vivo.

The purpose of the present study was to determine whether copper histidine could inhibit copper transporter 1 (Ctr1)-mediated transport of oxaliplatin in vitro and thereby limit the accumulation of platinum and neurotoxicity of oxaliplatin in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) tissue in vivo. In HEK293 cells overexpressing rat Ctr1, copper histidine was shown to be transported by Ctr1 and to inhibit their Ctr1-mediated uptake of oxaliplatin. Pilot in vivo dose-finding studies showed that copper histidine at doses up to 2 mg/kg, p.o., daily for 5 days/week could be added to maximum tolerated doses of oxaliplatin (1.85 mg/kg, i.p., twice weekly) for 8 week combination treatment studies in female Wistar rats. After treatment, rats showed significant changes in sensory neuron size profiles in DRG tissue induced by oxaliplatin that were not altered by its coadministration with copper histidine. The expression of copper transporters (Ctr1 and copper-transporting P-type ATPase 1 (Atp7a)) in DRG tissue appeared unchanged following treatment with oxaliplatin given alone or with copper histidine. Platinum and copper tissue levels were higher in DRG than in most other tissues, but were unaltered by the addition of copper histidine to oxaliplatin treatment. In conclusion, copper histidine inhibited cellular uptake of oxaliplatin mediated by Ctr1 in vitro without altering the accumulation of platinum or neurotoxicity of oxaliplatin in DRG tissue in vivo at doses tolerated in combination with oxaliplatin treatment.

α-Synuclein overexpression enhances manganese-induced neurotoxicity through the NF-κB-mediated pathway.

Exposure to manganese (Mn) occurs in both civilian and military operations. Mn exposure results in a movement disorder termed manganism, which resembles Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the pathogenic mechanisms underlying this disorder are not fully understood. α-Synuclein, a presynaptic protein is implicated in some neurodegenerative disorders, including PD and Mn-induced apoptosis, and its overexpression contributes to the loss of dopaminergic neurons. Although the role of α-synuclein in this process is widely documented, its exact function is not clear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mechanism(s) of dopaminergic degeneration associated with α-synuclein expression in response to Mn exposure and to assess the role of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation as an intermediary of Mn-induced neurotoxicity. Rat mesencephalic cells (MES 23.5) overexpressing human α-synuclein show enhanced susceptibility to Mn exposure as evidenced by increased apoptosis and NF-κB nuclear translocation. Pretreatment with antioxidants and the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB239063 significantly diminished NF-κB activation, supporting a role for oxidative stress and p38 MAPK in Mn-induced NF-κB activation. In addition, increased nitric oxide generation was evident during NF-κB activation, which was blocked by NF-κB (SN50) and MAPK inhibitors. Mn-induced cell death was attenuated by SN-50 and specific nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor (1400W); corroborating NOS activation is mediated through NF-κB in the mechanism of cell death. These data indicate that the transcription factor NF-κB, p38 MAPK, and apoptotic signaling cascades are activated by Mn in human α-synuclein-overexpressing cells. Thus, α-synuclein may facilitate Mn-induced neurotoxicity, and along with NF-κB, it may play a role in dopaminergic cell death.

Lipoic acid as a potential therapy for chronic diseases associated with oxidative stress.

alpha-Lipoic acid (LA), a naturally occurring dithiol compound, has long been known as an essential cofactor for mitochondrial bioenergetic enzymes. Aside from its enzymatic role, in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that LA also acts as a powerful micronutrient with diverse pharmacologic and antioxidant properties. Pharmacologically, LA improves glycemic control, polyneuropathies associated with diabetes mellitus, and effectively mitigates toxicities associated with heavy metal poisoning. As an antioxidant, LA directly terminates free radicals, chelates transition metal ions (e.g. iron and copper), increases cytosolic glutathione and vitamin C levels and prevents toxicities associated with their loss. These diverse actions suggest that LA acts by multiple mechanisms both physiologically and pharmacologically, many of which are only now being explored. Herein, we review the known biochemical properties of LA with particular reference to how LA may be an effective agent to ameliorate certain pathophysiologies of many chronic diseases.

Alpha-lipoic acid supplementation and diabetes.

Diabetes is a common metabolic disorder that is usually accompanied by increased production of reactive oxygen species or by impaired antioxidant defenses. Importantly, oxidative stress is particularly relevant to the risk of cardiovascular disease. Alpha-lipoic acid (LA), a naturally occurring dithiol compound, has long been known as an essential cofactor for mitochondrial bioenergetic enzymes. LA is a very important micronutrient with diverse pharmacologic and antioxidant properties. Pharmacologically, LA improves glycemic control and polyneuropathies associated with diabetes mellitus; it also effectively mitigates toxicities associated with heavy metal poisoning. As an antioxidant, LA directly terminates free radicals, chelates transition metal ions, increases cytosolic glutathione and vitamin C levels, and prevents toxicities associated with their loss. These diverse actions suggest that LA acts by multiple mechanisms both physiologically and pharmacologically. Its biosynthesis decreases as people age and is reduced in people with compromised health, thus suggesting a possible therapeutic role for LA in such cases. Reviewed here is the known efficacy of LA with particular reference to types 1 and 2 diabetes. Particular attention is paid to the potential benefits of LA with respect to glycemic control, improved insulin sensitivity, oxidative stress, and neuropathy in diabetic patients. It appears that the major benefit of LA supplementation is in patients with diabetic neuropathy.