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Bjørklund G, Đorđević AB, Hamdan H, Wallace DR, Peana M. Metal-induced autoimmunity in neurological disorders: A review of current understanding and future directions. Autoimmun Rev 2024; 23:103509. [PMID: 38159894 DOI: 10.1016/j.autrev.2023.103509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Autoimmunity is a multifaceted disorder influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, and metal exposure has been implicated as a potential catalyst, especially in autoimmune diseases affecting the central nervous system. Notably, metals like mercury, lead, and aluminum exhibit well-established neurotoxic effects, yet the precise mechanisms by which they elicit autoimmune responses in susceptible individuals remain unclear. Recent studies propose that metal-induced autoimmunity may arise from direct toxic effects on immune cells and tissues, coupled with indirect impacts on the gut microbiome and the blood-brain barrier. These effects can activate self-reactive T cells, prompting the production of autoantibodies, inflammatory responses, and tissue damage. Diagnosing metal-induced autoimmunity proves challenging due to nonspecific symptoms and a lack of reliable biomarkers. Treatment typically involves chelation therapy to eliminate excess metals and immunomodulatory agents to suppress autoimmune responses. Prevention strategies include lifestyle adjustments to reduce metal exposure and avoiding occupational and environmental risks. Prognosis is generally favorable with proper treatment; however, untreated cases may lead to autoimmune disorder progression and irreversible organ damage, particularly in the brain. Future research aims to identify genetic and environmental risk factors, enhance diagnostic precision, and explore novel treatment approaches for improved prevention and management of this intricate and debilitating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geir Bjørklund
- Council for Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Mo i Rana, Norway.
| | | | - Halla Hamdan
- Department of Pharmacology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, United States
| | - David R Wallace
- Department of Pharmacology, Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, United States
| | - Massimiliano Peana
- Department of Chemical, Physical, Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Sassari, Italy.
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Nuvoli B, Amadio B, Cortese G, Benedetti S, Antoniani B, Soriani A, Carosi M, Strigari L, Galati R. The effect of CELLFOOD TM on radiotherapy or combined chemoradiotherapy: preclinical evidence. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2019; 11:1758835919878347. [PMID: 31662796 PMCID: PMC6792276 DOI: 10.1177/1758835919878347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Based on previous observations that the nutraceutical CELLFOOD™ (CF), the 'physiological modulator' that aimed to make oxygen available 'on demand', inhibits the growth of cancer cells, this study was designed to investigate the role of CF in the regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α) and its correlated proteins, phosphoglycerate kinase 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Our idea was that CF, acting on HIF1α, in combination with current anticancer therapies could improve their effectiveness. Methods To evaluate the effect of CF in association with radiotherapy and chemotherapy, different human cancer cell lines and mice with mesothelioma were analysed by tumour growth, clonogenic assay, western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. Results CF in combination with radiation with or without cisplatin increases the death rate of cancer cells. In vivo, 70% of mice treated with CF before the mesothelioma graft did not show any tumour growth, indicating a possible preventive effect of CF. Moreover, in mouse mesothelioma xenografts, CF improves the effect of radiotherapy also in combination with chemotherapy treatment. Immunohistochemical analysis of tumour explants showed that HIF1α expression was reduced by the combination of CF and radiotherapy treatment and even more by the combination of CF and radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment. Mechanistically, CF increases the fraction of oxygenated cells, making the radiotherapy more effective with a greater production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that in turn, reduce the HIF1α expression. This effect is amplified by further increase in ROS from chemotherapy. Conclusions Collectively, results from preclinical trials suggest that CF could be a useful intervention to improve the efficacy of radiotherapy or combined treatment strategies and could be a promising treatment modality to counteract cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Nuvoli
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agent Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Amadio
- SAFU Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Cortese
- SAFU Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Benedetti
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino 'Carlo Bo', Urbino, Italy
| | - Barbara Antoniani
- Anatomy Pathology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Soriani
- Laboratory of Medical Physics and Expert Systems, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Mariantonia Carosi
- Anatomy Pathology Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Lidia Strigari
- Laboratory of Medical Physics and Expert Systems, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Rossella Galati
- Preclinical Models and New Therapeutic Agent Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Via Chianesi, Rome 00144, Italy
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Jones K, Linhart C, Hawkins C, Exley C. Urinary Excretion of Aluminium and Silicon in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis. EBioMedicine 2017; 26:60-67. [PMID: 29128442 PMCID: PMC5832610 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2017.10.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Progressive multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune condition of unknown aetiology and few therapeutic options. Human exposure to aluminium has been linked with multiple sclerosis and affected individuals are known to excrete unusually high amounts of aluminium in their urine. Silicon-rich mineral waters facilitate the removal of aluminium from the body in urine and herein we have tested their efficacy in affecting urinary excretion of aluminium in individuals diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Methods Urinary excretion of aluminium and silicon, measured using transversely-heated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry, was determined in 15 individuals diagnosed with SPMS over 24 weeks, a 12 week baseline period (control) followed by a 12 week treatment period, during which individuals consumed up to 1.5 L of a silicon-rich mineral water every day. Findings Individuals with SPMS excreted high amounts of aluminium during the baseline period (135.2 nmol/mmol Crt (70.3–222.2, n = 180) and females excreted significantly more aluminium than males. Regular drinking of a silicon-rich mineral water increased the urinary excretion of aluminium significantly (349.0 nmol/mmol Crt (231.7–524.7, n = 180; three-way ANOVA, F1,13 = 59.17, p-value = 0.000003) relative to the baseline period. The majority of individuals, 14 out of 15, excreted more aluminium (μmol/24 h) following drinking of a silicon-rich mineral water (independent-test, p < 0.05). Silicon-rich mineral waters may be an effective and non-invasive therapy for the removal of aluminium from the body of individuals with SPMS. Individuals with SPMS excrete high amounts of aluminium in their urine. Females with SPMS excreted more aluminium than males. Silicon-rich mineral waters increase urinary excretion of aluminium in males and females. Silicon-rich mineral waters may be a simple and non-invasive therapy for the removal of aluminium from the body of individuals with SPMS.
Multiple sclerosis is a burgeoning and devastating neurological condition where the cause is unknown and there are few if any effective therapies. Previous research suggested a role for human exposure to aluminium in multiple sclerosis and we have confirmed this herein by demonstrating that individuals, and especially females, with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) excrete high amounts of aluminium in their urine, a relative indicator of a high body burden of aluminium. Regular drinking of a silicon-rich mineral water facilitated the removal of aluminium from the body of individuals with SPMS and suggested it may be an effective, non-invasive future therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista Jones
- The Birchall Centre, Lennard-Jones Laboratories, Keele University, United Kingdom
| | - Caroline Linhart
- Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Clive Hawkins
- Institute of Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Exley
- The Birchall Centre, Lennard-Jones Laboratories, Keele University, United Kingdom.
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Dusek P, Schneider SA, Aaseth J. Iron chelation in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. J Trace Elem Med Biol 2016; 38:81-92. [PMID: 27033472 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2016.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2016] [Revised: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Disturbance of cerebral iron regulation is almost universal in neurodegenerative disorders. There is a growing body of evidence that increased iron deposits may contribute to degenerative changes. Thus, the effect of iron chelation therapy has been investigated in many neurological disorders including rare genetic syndromes with neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation as well as common sporadic disorders such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the role of iron in the etiology of neurodegeneration. Outcomes of studies investigating the effect of iron chelation therapy in neurodegenerative disorders are systematically presented in tables. Iron chelators, particularly the blood brain barrier-crossing compound deferiprone, are capable of decreasing cerebral iron in areas with abnormally high concentrations as documented by MRI. Yet, currently, there is no compelling evidence of the clinical effect of iron removal therapy on any neurological disorder. However, several studies indicate that it may prevent or slow down disease progression of several disorders such as aceruloplasminemia, pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration or Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Dusek
- Department of Neurology and Center of Clinical Neuroscience, Charles University in Prague, 1st Faculty of Medicine and General University Hospital in Prague, Czech Republic; Institute of Neuroradiology, University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany.
| | | | - Jan Aaseth
- Innlandet Hospital Trust, Kongsvinger, Norway; Hedmark University College, Elverum, Norway
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Riccio P, Rossano R, Larocca M, Trotta V, Mennella I, Vitaglione P, Ettorre M, Graverini A, De Santis A, Di Monte E, Coniglio MG. Anti-inflammatory nutritional intervention in patients with relapsing-remitting and primary-progressive multiple sclerosis: A pilot study. Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2016; 241:620-35. [PMID: 26785711 PMCID: PMC4950325 DOI: 10.1177/1535370215618462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this work was to assess the influence of nutritional intervention on inflammatory status and wellness in people with multiple sclerosis. To this end, in a seven-month pilot study we investigated the effects of a calorie-restricted, semi-vegetarian diet and administration of vitamin D and other dietary supplements (fish oil, lipoic acid, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, resveratrol and multivitamin complex) in 33 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis and 10 patients with primary-progressive multiple sclerosis. At 0/3/6 months, patients had neurological examination, filled questionnaires and underwent anthropometric measurements and biochemical analyses. Serum fatty acids and vitamin D levels were measured as markers of dietary compliance and nutritional efficacy of treatment, whereas serum gelatinase levels were analyzed as markers of inflammatory status. All patients had insufficient levels of vitamin D at baseline, but their values did not ameliorate following a weekly administration of 5000 IU, and rather decreased over time. Conversely, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids increased already after three months, even under dietary restriction only. Co-treatment with interferon-beta in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis was irrelevant to vitamin D levels. After six months nutritional treatment, no significant changes in neurological signs were observed in any group. However, serum levels of the activated isoforms of gelatinase matrix metalloproteinase-9 decreased by 59% in primary-progressive multiple sclerosis and by 51% in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients under nutritional intervention, including dietary supplements. This study indicates that a healthy nutritional intervention is well accepted by people with multiple sclerosis and may ameliorate their physical and inflammatory status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Riccio
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Rocco Rossano
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Marilena Larocca
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Trotta
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, 85100 Potenza, Italy
| | - Ilario Mennella
- Department of Agricultural and Food Science, University of Naples "Federico II", 80055 Portici, Napoli, Italy
| | - Paola Vitaglione
- Department of Agricultural and Food Science, University of Naples "Federico II", 80055 Portici, Napoli, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Graverini
- O.T.I. Officine Terapie Innovative S.r.l., 67061 Carsoli, Aquila, Italy
| | | | - Elisabetta Di Monte
- Center for Multiple Sclerosis, Hospital ASL 4 "Madonna Delle Grazie", 75100 Matera, Italy
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Abstract
The question whether dietary habits and lifestyle have influence on the course of multiple sclerosis (MS) is still a matter of debate, and at present, MS therapy is not associated with any information on diet and lifestyle. Here we show that dietary factors and lifestyle may exacerbate or ameliorate MS symptoms by modulating the inflammatory status of the disease both in relapsing-remitting MS and in primary-progressive MS. This is achieved by controlling both the metabolic and inflammatory pathways in the human cell and the composition of commensal gut microbiota. What increases inflammation are hypercaloric Western-style diets, characterized by high salt, animal fat, red meat, sugar-sweetened drinks, fried food, low fiber, and lack of physical exercise. The persistence of this type of diet upregulates the metabolism of human cells toward biosynthetic pathways including those of proinflammatory molecules and also leads to a dysbiotic gut microbiota, alteration of intestinal immunity, and low-grade systemic inflammation. Conversely, exercise and low-calorie diets based on the assumption of vegetables, fruit, legumes, fish, prebiotics, and probiotics act on nuclear receptors and enzymes that upregulate oxidative metabolism, downregulate the synthesis of proinflammatory molecules, and restore or maintain a healthy symbiotic gut microbiota. Now that we know the molecular mechanisms by which dietary factors and exercise affect the inflammatory status in MS, we can expect that a nutritional intervention with anti-inflammatory food and dietary supplements can alleviate possible side effects of immune-modulatory drugs and the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome and thus favor patient wellness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Riccio
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
| | - Rocco Rossano
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Potenza, Italy
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Marchetti C. Interaction of metal ions with neurotransmitter receptors and potential role in neurodiseases. Biometals 2014; 27:1097-113. [PMID: 25224737 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-014-9791-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that toxic metals play a role in diseases of unknown etiology. Their action is often mediated by membrane proteins, and in particular neurotransmitter receptors. This brief review will describe recent findings on the direct interaction of metal ions with ionotropic γ-aminobutyric acid (GABAA) and glutamate receptors, the main inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitter receptors in the mammalian central nervous system, respectively. Both hyper and hypo function of these receptors are involved in neurological and psychotic syndromes and modulation by metal ions is an important pharmacological issue. The focus will be on three xenobiotic metals, lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) that have no biological function and whose presence in living organisms is only detrimental, and two trace metals, zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu), which are essential for several enzymatic functions, but can mediate toxic actions if deregulated. Despite limited access to the brain and tight control by metalloproteins, exogenous metals interfere with receptor performances by mimicking physiological ions and occupying one or more modulatory sites on the protein. These interactions will be discussed as a potential cause of neuronal dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Marchetti
- Istituto di Biofisica, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, via De Marini, 6, 16149, Genoa, Italy,
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