Critical review of the publications on the genotoxicology of aluminium salts: 1990-2018

Aluminium in the Human Brain: Routes of Penetration, Toxicity, and Resulting Complications

Aluminium (Al) is the most ubiquitous metal in the Earth's crust. Even though its toxicity is well-documented, the role of Al in the pathogenesis of several neurological diseases remains debatable. To establish the basic framework for future studies, we review literature reports on Al toxicokinetics and its role in Alzheimer's disease (AD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), alcohol use disorder (AUD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD), and dialysis encephalopathy (DE) from 1976 to 2022. Despite poor absorption via mucosa, the biggest amount of Al comes with food, drinking water, and inhalation. Vaccines introduce negligible amounts of Al, while the data on skin absorption (which might be linked with carcinogenesis) is limited and requires further investigation. In the above-mentioned diseases, the literature shows excessive Al accumulation in the central nervous system (AD, AUD, MS, PD, DE) and epidemiological links between greater Al exposition and their increased prevalence (AD, PD, DE). Moreover, the literature suggests that Al has the potential as a marker of disease (AD, PD) and beneficial results of Al chelator use (such as cognitive improvement in AD, AUD, MS, and DE cases).

An Overview of Vaccine Adjuvants: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives

Vaccinations are one of the most important preventive tools against infectious diseases. Over time, many different types of vaccines have been developed concerning the antigen component. Adjuvants are essential elements that increase the efficacy of vaccination practises through many different actions, especially acting as carriers, depots, and stimulators of immune responses. For many years, few adjuvants have been included in vaccines, with aluminium salts being the most commonly used adjuvant. However, recent research has focused its attention on many different new compounds with effective adjuvant properties and improved safety. Modern technologies such as nanotechnologies and molecular biology have forcefully entered the production processes of both antigen and adjuvant components, thereby improving vaccine efficacy. Microparticles, emulsions, and immune stimulators are currently in the spotlight for their huge potential in vaccine production. Although studies have reported some potential side effects of vaccine adjuvants such as the recently recognised ASIA syndrome, the huge worth of vaccines remains unquestionable. Indeed, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of vaccines, especially in regard to managing future potential pandemics. In this field, research into adjuvants could play a leading role in the production of increasingly effective vaccines.

Genotoxic impact of aluminum-containing nanomaterials in human intestinal and hepatic cells

Exposure of consumers to aluminum-containing nanomaterials (Al NMs) is an area of concern for public health agencies. As the available data on the genotoxicity of Al₂O₃ and Al⁰ NMs are inconclusive or rare, the present study investigated their in vitro genotoxic potential in intestinal and liver cell models, and compared with the ionic form AlCl₃. Intestinal Caco-2 and hepatic HepaRG cells were exposed to Al⁰ and Al₂O₃ NMs (0.03 to 80 μg/cm²). Cytotoxicity, oxidative stress and apoptosis were measured using High Content Analysis. Genotoxicity was investigated through γH2AX labelling, the alkaline comet and micronucleus assays. Moreover, oxidative DNA damage and carcinogenic properties were assessed using the Fpg-modified comet assay and the cell transforming assay in Bhas 42 cells respectively. The three forms of Al did not induce chromosomal damage. However, although no production of oxidative stress was detected, Al₂O₃ NMs induced oxidative DNA damage in Caco-2 cells but not likely related to ion release in the cell media. Considerable DNA damage was observed with Al⁰ NMs in both cell lines in the comet assay, likely due to interference with these NMs. No genotoxic effects were observed with AlCl₃. None of the Al compounds induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis, γH2AX or cell transformation.