Aluminium Involvement in Neurotoxicity

Abstract

The aetiology of neurodegenerative diseases (ND) seems to involve susceptibility genes and environmental factors. Toxic metals are considered major environmental pollutants. Following our study of a case of multiple sclerosis (MS) improvement due to removal of aluminium (Al) and other toxic metals, we have examined the possible relationship between Al intoxication and ND. We used the slow intravenous treatment with the chelating agent EDTA (calcium disodium ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) (chelation test) to remove Al and detected it in the urine collected from the patients for 12 hours. Patients affected by MS represented 85.6% of total ND. Al was present in 44.8% of cases comprehensive of ND and healthy patients. Al levels were significantly higher in ND patients than in healthy subjects. We here show that treatment of patients affected by Al burden with ten EDTA chelation therapies (EDTA intravenous administration once a week) was able to significantly reduce Al intoxication.

Rationale for the Successful Management of EDTA Chelation Therapy in Human Burden by Toxic Metals

“…EDTA is slowly administered intravenously (infusion lasts about 2 hours) and the time of urine collection following chelation lasts 12 h. Toxic-metal urine contents are expressed in micrograms ( μ g) per g creatinine [47]. Details regarding “chelation test” have already been reported [48]. …”

“…GSH plays a key role in cell resistance against oxidative damage by providing enzymes involved in ROS metabolism with reducing equivalents, by eliminating potentially toxic oxidation products, and by reducing oxidized protein thiols [57]. Recently, we showed that CaNa 2 EDTA treatment of patients affected by Al burden significantly reduced Al intoxication [48]. Moreover, the efficacy of long-term chelation therapy has been shown in the removal of chronic Al intoxication [58].…”

Which Strategies can be Adopted against Heavy Metal Intoxication?

“…These products impair the balance between the prooxidant and antioxidant systems in the body: The shift towards the former is known as "oxidative stress". Oxidative stressmediated toxicity caused by heavy metals mainly involves the liver and kidneys, the central nervous system, and the endocrine system [1][2][3][4]. Which strategies can be adopted against the dangerous effects of toxic metals?…”

“…The most commonly used strategy against heavy-metal poisoning is chelation therapy, which promotes metal excretion. This treatment is suggested following both acute and chronic intoxication, and can also be used to remove intoxication caused by a non-heavy metal, such as aluminum [4]. However, new strategies have recently been reported, describing the protective effects of dietary supplements against cadmium and lead toxicity [5].…”

A link between human papilloma virus vaccination and primary ovarian insufficiency

“…Environmental exposure to aluminum, as well as to other toxic metals is considered to contribute to cognitive impairment in children living in rural areas [32]. Regarding neurodegenerative diseases, the removal of aluminum improved symptoms of multiple sclerosis [33]. In animal models aluminum has been shown to accumulate in the male and female reproductive systems and was shown to be an endocrine disruptor [34][35][36].…”