From: "Michael Connett" <mconnett@...>
To: science-watch@...
Subject: [Science-watch] #10: Fluoride, Mercury, & Allergic Diseases
Date: Tue, 11 May 2004 12:48:11 -0400




FAN Science-Watch

May 11, 2004

Bulletin #10: Fluoride, Mercury, & Allergic Diseases

by Michael Connett
Editor, FAN Science-Watch

The preliminary findings of a new study published in the Journal of
Allergy and Clinical Immunology, suggest that mercury and fluoride
exposures may be contributing factors to the increased occurrence of
allergic diseases in the western world.

The authors of the study, based at the Albert Einstein College of
Medicine in New York, presented their findings in March at the annual
conference of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
(AAAAI).

According to their abstract (posted in full below):


"Although preliminary, these findings suggest that human exposure to
mercury or fluoride may be playing a role in the observed increased
incidence of allergic diseases in the industrialized world."


It will be interesting to learn more about these results. Hopefully
the authors will publish an expanded account of their findings in a
full paper. `Til then here's the abstract.

------------



Program and Abstracts of papers presented during Scientific Sessions -
AAAAI 60th Annual Meeting


165 Effects of Fluoride and Mercury on Human Cytokine Response In
Vitro

G. de Vos1, E. Jerschow2, Z. Liao2, D. Rosenstreich2; 1Department of
Allergy and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx,
NY, 2Allergy and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine,
Bronx, NY.

RATIONALE: Over the past 50 years individuals in westernized
societies have been increasingly exposed to mercury (e.g. through
contaminated fish and dental amalgam) and fluoride (e.g. through
drinking water, toothpaste and gels). Given the increasing incidence
of allergic diseases and the known immunomodulatory effects of these
agents, we investigated their potential allergy-promoting activity.

METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from 4 individuals
were cultured up to seven days in culture medium or in culture media
containing Con A in the presence or absence of mercuric chloride
(HgCl) or sodium fluoride (NaF). Supernatants were harvested on days
2, 4 and 6 and IL-4 and gamma-IFN concentrations were measured by
ELISA.

RESULTS: HgCl and NaF significantly suppressed Con A-induced gamma-
IFN production. Maximum suppression of gamma-IFN production by HgCl
occurred on day 6 (10.4% +/- 9.4% of the Con A response) and by NaF
on day 4 (8.3% +/- 7.2%). In contrast, HgCl and NaF significantly
increased Con A -induced IL-4 production, with a maximum on day 4
(362.9% +/- 365%) and day 2 (660.8% +/- 894.72%), respectively.
Neither NaF nor HgCl significantly altered cytokine production in
unstimulated lymphocytes.

CONCLUSIONS: HgCl and NaF seem to selectively suppress Th1 activity
and stimulate Th2 cytokine production in vitro. Although preliminary,
these findings suggest that human exposure to mercury or fluoride may
be playing a role in the observed increased incidence of allergic
diseases in the industrialized world.

------

SOURCE: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Volume 113,
Supplement 1, Page S66