Aluminum ; toxicity ; Cell Death ; drug effects ; Humans ; Neurons ; drug effects

Aluminum is one of the most abundant elements on earth. Aluminum compounds are widely used in food additives, antacids, cooking utensils and so on. Human exposure to aluminum is mainly through diet and drinking water, while excessive intake of aluminum can accumulate in tissues and cause toxic reactions. In the central nervous system, aluminum exposure is closely related to a series of nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Epigenetic modification refers to the regulation of gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, and its regulatory disorders can lead to abnormalities and diseases of the central nervous system. This paper describes the regulation of epigenetics and its components, including DNA methylation, histone modification and non-coding RNA, in aluminum-induced neurotoxicity, in order to provide insights into the epigenetic mechanism of aluminum-induced neurotoxicity.
Aluminum/toxicity* ; Alzheimer Disease ; Cooking ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Humans

The effect of Al and Cd on the growth, photosynthesis, and accumulation of Al, Cd and plant nutrients in two soybean genotypes were determined using hydroponic culture. There were six treatments: pH 6.5; pH 4.0; pH 6.5+1.0 micromol/L Cd; pH 4.0+1.0 micromol/L Cd; pH 4.0+150 micromol/L Al; pH 4.0+1.0 micromol/L Cd+150 micromol/L Al. The low pH (4.0) and Al treatments caused marked reduction in root length, shoot height, dry weight, chlorophyll content (SPAD value) and photosynthetic rate. Al-sensitive cv. Zhechun 2 accumulated comparatively more Al and Cd in plants than Al-tolerant cv. Liao 1. Compared with pH 6.5, pH 4.0 resulted in significant increase in Cd and Al concentration in plants. Combined application of Cd and Al enhanced their accumulation in roots, but caused a reduction in shoots. The concentrations of all 10 nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn and B), except Mo were also increased when plants were exposed to pH lower than pH 6.5. Al addition caused a reduction in the concentration of most nutrients in plant roots and shoots; but K, Mn and Zn in roots were increased. Treatments with Cd alone or together with Al reduced the concentrations of all the plant nutrients in plants. Al-sensitive genotype Zhechun 2 has lower nutrient concentration than Al-tolerant genotype Liao 1. The current findings imply that Al and Cd are synergistic in their effect on plant growth, physiological traits and nutrient uptake.
Aluminum ; toxicity ; Cadmium ; toxicity ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Photosynthesis ; drug effects ; Soybeans ; drug effects ; growth & development ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of P53 phosphorylation in neuron apoptosis of rats by chronic aluminum exposure.

METHODSA total of male 40 SD rats were divided randomly into 4 groups (n = 10/dose), the exposed groups were fed with normal diet with different concentration of AlCl3 · 6H2O for 6 months respectively. The dosage of low, middle and high groups were 10.73, 107.33, 1073.33 mg/kg in sequence. The control group received normal diet. The neuron apoptosis was measured by method of Tunel. The expressions of P53 and pP53-ser15 protein in the cortex were detected by Western-blot.

RESULTSTunel staining showed that the low, middle and high group rats had increased apoptosis rate than control group (P < 0.01). Western-blot test demonstrated that the expression of P53 protein in the cortex of high group rats were significantly higher than the control and low groups (P < 0.05). The expression of pP53-ser15 protein in the cortex of middle and high group rats were also higher than the control and low groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONChronic aluminum exposure can lead to over expression of P53 and pP53-ser15 protein in cerebral cortex, which maybe one of the most important mechanisms of neuron apoptosis induced by AlCl3.

Aluminum ; toxicity ; Aluminum Compounds ; toxicity ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cerebral Cortex ; metabolism ; Chlorides ; toxicity ; Male ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; Phosphorylation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of aluminum trichloride on the abnormal phosphorylation of tau protein in SH-SY5Y cells.

METHODSSH-SY5Y cells were assigned to control group and aluminum trichloride exposure groups (200, 400, and 800 µmol/L Al(3+)). The cell morphology was observed after 48 hours of exposure; the cell viability was measured by CCK-8 assay; total protein was extracted from the cells, and the expression of phospho-tau (p-tau) 181, 231, 262, and 396 and tau 5 was measured by Western blot.

RESULTSAs the Al(3+) concentration rose, the number of living SH-SY5Y cells decreased, and the synapses of the cells retracted. The viability of cells exposed to 800 µmol/L Al(3+) was significantly lower than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The 200, 400, and 800 µmol/L Al(3+) exposure groups showed significantly higher expression of p-tau 181, 231, and 396 and tau5 than the control group (P < 0.05), and the 800 µmol/L Al(3+) exposure group showed significantly higher expression of p-tau 262 than the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONUnder the present experimental conditions, aluminum trichloride has toxic effect on SH-SY5Y cells and can lead to abnormal expression of p-tau 181, 231, and 396 and tau 5 at low Al(3+) concentration.

Aluminum Compounds ; toxicity ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Chlorides ; toxicity ; Humans ; Phosphorylation ; tau Proteins ; metabolism

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are the most common adverse reactions attributed to drugs. A systematic and effective approach to a patient with suspected drug eruption allows for prompt recognition, classification and treatment of cutaneous ADRs. A standardized and effective approach for objective causality assessment is necessary to make consistent and accurate identification of ADRs. OBJECTIVE: Although the Naranjo algorithm is the most widely used assessment tool, it contains many components which are not suitable for clinical assessment of ADRs in Korea. The purpose of this study is to compare correlations of the Naranjo algorithm and the Korean algorithm to evaluate usefulness of both algorithms in order to make a causal link between drugs and cutaneous ADRs. In addition, this study classifies the clinical types and causative agents of cutaneous ADRs. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical types and laboratory findings of patients who were diagnosed with cutaneous ADRs in the dermatology clinic at Gil hospital. One hundred forty-one patients were enrolled in this evaluation. The causal relationship of ADRs was assessed by using the Naranjo algorithm and Korean algorithm (version 2.0). RESULTS: A cross-tabulation analysis was applied to the Naranjo algorithm and Korean algorithm (version 2.0). Simple correlation analysis and a Bland-Altman plot were used for statistical analysis. Correlation analysis confirmed that the two assessment algorithms were significantly correlated. Exanthematous eruptions (68.8%), Stevens- Johnson syndrome (10.6%), and urticaria (8.5%) were the most common types of cutaneoues ADRs. The most common causative agents were antibiotics/antimicrobials, antipyretics/non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and central nervous system depressants. CONCLUSION: The Naranjo algorithm and Korean algorithm (version 2.0) were significantly correlated with each other, and thus reliable assessment methods to determine cutaneous ADRs.
Aluminum Hydroxide ; Carbonates ; Central Nervous System ; Dermatology ; Drug Eruptions ; Drug Toxicity ; Humans ; Korea ; Retrospective Studies ; Urticaria

Adult ; Aluminum Silicates ; toxicity ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Mining ; Occupational Exposure ; Prevalence ; Silicosis ; epidemiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the hazards of aluminum dusts to the exposed workers and the clinical features of aluminosis.

METHODRetrospective investigation on 75 aluminosis patients from a certain factory diagnosed in Shanghai Occupational Diseases Hospital from 1972 to 2004 was carried out.

RESULTSThere were 27 cases of aluminosis I (36.0%), 28 cases of aluminosis II (37.3%) and 20 cases of aluminosis III (26.7%) among 75 cases. The shortest exposure duration was 3 years, and the longest 17 years, and 37 cases of aluminosis occurred after exposure less than 10 years. hest radiographic examination mainly showed irregular micro-shadows: t (22/75), s (4/75), t/u (1/75), t/s (2/75), or predominantly irregular mixed microshadows s/p (5/75), s/r (1/75), t/p (9/75), t/q (5/75); some showed round shape micro-shadows: p (6/75), q (1/75), p/q (3/75), q/p (1/75). 27 cases showed large shadows, 20 cases of them were diagnosed as pneumoconiosis III. A lot of irregular micro-shadows gathered and developed to form uneven, loose and border-irregular masses. Most massive fibrosis looked like stripe or plait, located mostly in middle and upper lung field. 8 patients suffered from aluminosis with single side of massive fibrosis and 12 with both sides of massive fibrosis, accounting for 40% and 60% respectively. Mediastinal and bronchopulmonary lymph nodes were enlarged and calcified, accompanied with pleural thickening.

CONCLUSIONSShort exposure to high concentration of black fused alumina may cause serious aluminosis to the exposes. The hazards of aluminum dusts should not be ignored.

Aluminum Oxide ; toxicity ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; etiology ; Occupational Exposure ; Pneumoconiosis ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of aluminum exposure on neuronal apoptosis of rats hippocampus and the correlation of and synaptic plasticity.

METHODSThere were 40 SPF grade SD rats which were randomly divided into four groups: the control group, the low dose group, the medium dose group and the high dose group, 10 rats in each group. The rats were daily gavaged with aluminum lactate for 30 days. The hippocampal fEPSPs in rat was measured by electrophysiological grapher and the neuronal apoptosis in hippocampus was detected by Flow cytometer. In addition, the relative expression of gene which includes caspase-3, 8, 9 was measured by Real-time PCR.

RESULTSCompared to the control group, the average of fEPSPs which after HFS 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 min was decreased at different time point in the low dose group, the medium dose group and the high dose group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the rate of apoptosis was significantly increased in the medium dose group and the high dose group (P < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the relative expression of caspase-3 in the medium dose group and the high dose group was significantly increased in Real-time PCR (P < 0.05), and the relative expression of caspase-8 in the high dose group was significantly increased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAluminum exposure may induced neuronal apoptosis in rats, and then affect hippocampal synaptic plasticity.

Aluminum ; toxicity ; Aluminum Compounds ; toxicity ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 8 ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; drug effects ; Lactates ; toxicity ; Neuronal Plasticity ; drug effects ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of caspase-3 siRNA on the neurobehavior of mice exposed to aluminum.

METHODSMale KunMing mice (3 months old) were randomly divided into 4 groups by weight:blank control group (4 microl normal saline), Al group (4 microl 0.5% AlCl3), Al plus empty vector group(3 microl 0.5% AlCl3 plus control siRNA expression vector)and Al plus RNAi group (3 microl 0.5% AlCl3 plus targeted siRNA expression vector). All groups were treated by lateral cerebral ventricle micro-injection for 5 days. The neurobehavior was tested by the Morris water maze test, Open-field and Step-down tests for all treated mice. Pathological changes in hippocampus was observed by electron microscopy, the caspase-3 gene expression levels were detected using RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe results of Step-down test indicated that as compared with control group, the latent time [LT, (44.67 +/- 10.60) s] in A1 group decreased significantly, the error number (3.63 +/- 0.52) in Al group increased significantly and the LT [(68.00 +/- 14.70) s] in Al plus empty vector group decreased significantly (P<0.05). the LT [(239.50 +/- 19.36) s] in Al plus RNAi group increased significantly and the error number in Al plus RNAi group decreased significantly, as compared with Al group (P<0.05). The results of Morris water maze test showed that as compared with control group, the LT in Al group increased significantly, and residence time in the former platform quadrant decreased significantly and the LT in Al plus empty vector group increased significantly (P<0.05). The LT in Al plus RNAi group was significantly longer than that in Al group (P<0.05). The results of open-field test demonstrated that as compared with control group, the time in the central grid in Al group and Al plus empty vector group increased significantly, the rearing number and the modification number in Al group and Al plus empty vector group decreased significantly (P< 0.05). As compared with Al group, the time in the central grid in Al plus RNAi group decreased, the inter-cell number, the rearing number and the modification number increased significantly (P<0.05). The results of electron microscopic examination exhibited that a slight change of hippocampal cells appeared in control group, the obvious pathological changes of hippocampal cells appeared in Al group and Al plus empty vector group, but the pathological changes of hippocampal cells in Al plus RNAi group significantly reduced as compared with Al group. The results of thionin staining indicated that the layers of neural cells of hippocampal CA3 were more clear and there was not obvious denatured injury of neural cells of hippocampal CA3 in control group. The number and Nissl body color of neural cells of hippocampal CA3 in Al group and Al plus empty vector group decreased significantly. After RNA interference, the number and Nissl body color of neural cells of hippocampal CA3 increased obviously. The expression levels of caspase-3 gene in Al group and Al plus empty vector group were 2.24 +/- 0.57 and 2.28 +/- 0.33, respectively, which were significantly higher than that (1.00 +/- 0.00) in control group (P<0.05). The expression level of caspase-3 gene in Al plus RNAi group was 0.44 +/- 0.08, which was significantly lower than those in Al group and control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAluminum can decrease the learning and memorizing ability, and inhibited the activity or exploration function of mice. It is suggested that Caspase-3 siRNA may reduce the neurotoxicity induced by aluminum to a certain extent.

Aluminum ; toxicity ; Animals ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Neurons ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics