Search NEL Online

Journal Article 2006; 27(Suppl 1): 31-35 PubMed PMID: 17261997 Citation  Keywords:  Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Dental Implants:adverse effects, Humans, Hypersensitivity:diagnosis, Immunoassay, Lymphocyte Activation, Middle Aged, Prostheses and Implants:adverse effects, Titanium:adverse effects,.   

OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to investigate the potential of titanium to induce hypersensitivity in patients chronically exposed to titanium-based dental or endoprosthetic implants.

METHODS: Fifty-six patients who had developed clinical symptoms after receiving titanium-based implants were tested in the optimized lymphocyte transformation test MELISA against 10 metals including titanium. Out of 56 patients, 54 were patch-tested with titanium as well as with other metals. The implants were removed in 54 patients (2 declined explantation), and 15 patients were retested in MELISA.

RESULTS: Of the 56 patients tested in MELISA, 21 (37.5%) were positive, 16 (28.6%) ambiguous, and 19 (33.9%) negative to titanium. In the latter group, 11 (57.9%) showed lymphocyte reactivity to other metals, including nickel. All 54 patch-tested patients were negative to titanium. Following removal of the implants, all 54 patients showed remarkable clinical improvement. In the 15 retested patients, this clinical improvement correlated with normalization in MELISA reactivity.

CONCLUSION: These data clearly demonstrate that titanium can induce clinically-relevant hypersensitivity in a subgroup of patients chronically exposed via dental or endoprosthetic implants....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2006; 27(Suppl 1): 61-68 PubMed PMID: 16892010 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Aged, Chronic Disease, Corrosion, Dental Alloys:adverse effects, Electron Probe Microanalysis, Female, Gingiva:drug effects, Humans, Hypersensitivity:etiology, Lymphocyte Activation, Male, Metals:adverse effects, Middle Aged, Mouth Mucosa:drug effe.   

OBJECTIVE: Corrosion products of different metallic alloys used in prosthetic dentistry often cause the development of a bluish-grey pigmentation of gingiva and oral mucosa. The aim of this study was to determine the content of metals in metallic pigmentations and evaluate the immune response to metals found in the oral cavity.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The local tissue reactions were investigated clinically by electron microscopy and by energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis. An extensive anamnesis of the patients was recorded as well as earlier contacts with health care institutions. The immunological response to metallic components of dental alloys was evaluated in 34 patients by MELISA, a modified test for lymphocyte proliferation. In addition, cytokines in culture media were determined in 10 persons by the Human Inflammation Antibody Array.

RESULTS: Dense particles containing metals were found in the matrix among collagen fibrils and in close proximity of the lamina basalis of the gingival epithelium. Particles were also localized intracellularly in fibroblasts, macrophages, and endothelial cells. Metallic depositions consisted predominantly of silver accompanied by selenium and sulphur. Twenty five out of 34 patients revealed high lymphocyte reactivity (positive MELISA test) to one or more metal components of dental restorations. A correlation between the positivity in MELISA test and number of dental alloys in the oral cavity was also found. Twenty MELISA positive patients suffered from serious health problems (various allergies, autoimmune diseases, Parkinson's syndrome etc.). Nickel and inorganic mercury were the most common sensitizers in vitro. The cytokine assay revealed that mercury chloride activated predominantly TH2 lymphocytes, while nickel chloride activated mainly TH1 lymphocytes.

CONCLUSIONS: Metallic pigmentations in the oral cavity demonstrate a corrosion process and may pose a risk in immunologically susceptible patients....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Clinical Trial 2006; 27(Suppl 1): 25-30 PubMed PMID: 16804512 Citation  Keywords:  Autoantibodies:blood, Autoantigens:immunology, Dental Amalgam:adverse effects, Female, Humans, Hypersensitivity:etiology, Iodide Peroxidase:immunology, Iron-Binding Proteins:immunology, Lymphocyte Activation, Mercury:adverse effects, Thyroiditis, Autoimmu.   

OBJECTIVES: The impact of dental amalgam removal on the levels of anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) and anti-thyroglobulin (anti-Tg) antibodies was studied in patients with autoimmune thyroiditis (AT) with and without mercury allergy.

METHODS: Thirty-nine patients with AT were tested by an optimized lymphocyte proliferation test MELISA for allergy (hypersensitivity) to inorganic mercury. Patients were divided into two groups: Group I (n = 12) with no hypersensitivity to mercury and Group II (n = 27) with hypersensitivity to mercury. Amalgam fillings were removed from the oral cavities of 15 patients with hypersensitivity to mercury (Group IIA) and left in place in the remaining 12 patients (Group IIB). The laboratory markers of AT, anti-TPO and anti-Tg autoantibodies, were determined in all groups at the beginning of the study and six months later.

RESULTS: Compared to levels at the beginning of the study, only patients with mercury hypersensitivity who underwent amalgam replacement (Group IIA) showed a significant decrease in the levels of both anti-Tg (p=0.001) and anti-TPO (p=0.0007) autoantibodies. The levels of autoantibodies in patients with or without mercury hypersensitivity (Group I and Group IIB) who did not replace amalgam did not change.

CONCLUSION: Removal of mercury-containing dental amalgam in patients with mercury hypersensitivity may contribute to successful treatment of autoimmune thyroiditis....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2006; 27(Suppl 1): 46-48 PubMed PMID: 16804511 Citation  Keywords:  Antigens, CD:metabolism, Antigens, CD28:metabolism, Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte:metabolism, Antigens, Surface:metabolism, Cadmium:pharmacology, Cell Culture Techniques, Humans, Lectins, C-Type, Lymphocyte Activation:drug effects, Receptors, Ig.   

OBJECTIVES: Metals have different effects on the immune functions. Through the experimental in vitro model, we studied the changes in the activation and co-stimulatory surface markers in human lymphocytes cultivated with selected metal salts.

METHODS: Whole human blood was cultivated with cadmium (Cd) or zinc (Zn) sulfate for 18 hours. The number of lymphocytes positive for activation and co-stimulatory markers was evaluated by flow cytometry.

RESULTS: Elevation of the CD69 and CD23 markers as well as higher expression of CD28 was found in cultures of lymphocytes incubated with Cd. In cultures incubated with Zn, minor elevation of the HLA-DR antigen expression was observed in comparison to Cd-treated cell cultures. Decrease of CD3 expression was observed after cultivation with both Cd and Zn salts.

CONCLUSION: Cd and Zn exhibit different effects on the expression of human surface activation antigens and co-stimulatory molecules. Cd in non-toxic concentrations stimulated expression of early activation molecules and therefore could change the early phase of immune response. This was not the case for Zn, where the results were similar to untreated cell cultures....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Comparative Study 2006; 27(5): 645-650 PubMed PMID: 17159823 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Antigens, CD:metabolism, Antigens, CD56:metabolism, Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic:metabolism, Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte:metabolism, Antigens, Neoplasm:metabolism, Endometrium:cytology, Female, GPI-Linked Proteins, Humans, .   

INTRODUCTION: The number of cytotoxic immune cells grows in the endometrium during the secretory cycle phase. RCAS1 is a protein inhibiting the activated immune cytotoxic cells. The expression of RCAS1 has been confirmed in endometrium. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the RCAS1 expression alterations with respect to the menstrual cycle changes and the number and activity of cytotoxic immune cells.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: RCAS1, CD25, CD69, CD56, CD16, CD68 antigens expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry in endometrial tissue samples which were obtained from 33 patients. Tissue samples were classified according to the menstrual cycle phases, with division of the cycle into three phases: proliferative (8 cases), periovulatory (10 cases), and secretory (15 cases) ones.

RESULTS: A significantly higher RCAS1 expression was observed in the periovulatory and the secretory menstrual cycle phases than in the proliferative phase. The changes in RCAS1 expression were combined with significant differences in the number of immune cells and their activity. The highest level of CD69 antigen expression was observed during the periovulatory cycle phase, while the highest level of CD25 antigen expression was observed during proliferative phase, the number of CD56 positive cells was at the highest level during the secretory cycle phase. No significant differences in the number of macrophages and CD16 antigen expression were observed with respect to the menstrual cycle phases.

CONCLUSION: RCAS1 endometrial expression may favor the coexistence of active lymphocytes and endometrial cells....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Controlled Clinical Trial 2005; 26(6): 745-751 PubMed PMID: 16380690 Citation  Keywords:  Analysis of Variance, Antigens, CD:immunology, Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte:immunology, Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic:blood, Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated:blood, Fatty Acids, Omega-3:blood, Fatty Acids, Omega-6:blood, Fatty Acids, Unsaturated:blood,.   

: There is now evidence that major depression is accompanied by decreased levels of omega3 poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). There is a strong comorbidity between major depression and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). The present study has been carried out in order to examine PUFA levels in CFS. In twenty-two CFS patients and 12 normal controls we measured serum PUFA levels using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. We found that CFS was accompanied by increased levels of omega6 PUFAs, i.e. linoleic acid and arachidonic acid (AA), and mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), i.e. oleic acid. The EPA/AA and total omega3/omega6 ratios were significantly lower in CFS patients than in normal controls. The omega3/omega6 ratio was significantly and negatively correlated to the severity of illness and some items of the FibroFatigue scale, i.e. aches and pain, fatigue and failing memory. The severity of illness was significantly and positively correlated to linoleic and arachidonic acid, oleic acid, omega9 fatty acids and one of the saturated fatty acids, i.e. palmitic acid. In CFS subjects, we found significant positive correlations between the omega3/omega6 ratio and lowered serum zinc levels and the lowered mitogen-stimulated CD69 expression on CD3+, CD3+ CD4+, and CD3+ CD8+ T cells, which indicate defects in early T cell activation. The results of this study show that a decreased availability of omega3 PUFAs plays a role in the pathophysiology of CFS and is related to the immune pathophysiology of CFS. The results suggest that patients with CFS should respond favourably to treatment with--amongst other things--omega3 PUFAs, such as EPA and DHA....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2005; 26(5): 487-492 PubMed PMID: 16264414 Citation  Keywords:  Aging:metabolism, Antigens, CD:metabolism, Antigens, CD3:metabolism, Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte:metabolism, Biomarkers, CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate:blood, Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic:blood, Female, Humans, Inflamm.   

: There are a few reports that chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) may be accompanied by changes in hormones, such as dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF1). This study examines the serum concentrations of DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS), IGF1 and IGF1 binding protein-3 (IGFBP3) in 20 patients with CFS and in 12 normal controls. The IGFBP3/IGF1 ratio was computed as an index for IGF1 availability. We found significantly lower serum DHEAS concentrations in CFS, but no significant differences either in IGF1 or the IGFBP3/IGF1 ratio between CFS patients and normal controls. The decrease in serum DHEAS was highly sensitive and specific for CFS. There were significant and positive correlations between serum DHEAS and serum zinc and the mitogen-induced expression of the CD69 molecule on CD3+CD8+ T cells (an indicator of early T cell activation). There was a significant and negative correlation between serum DHEAS and the increase in the serum alpha-2 protein fraction (an inflammatory marker). Serum IGF1, but not DHEAS, was significantly and inversely correlated to age. The results show that CFS is accompanied by lowered levels of DHEAS and that the latter may play a role in the immune (defect in the early activation of T cells) and the inflammatory pathophysiology of CFS....

Read abstract  Full text PDF

Journal Article 2005; 26(4): 277-282 PubMed PMID: 16136024 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Antibodies:immunology, Dental Amalgam:adverse effects, Female, Humans, In Vitro Techniques, Infertility:epidemiology, Interferon-gamma:metabolism, Lymphocyte Activation:drug effects, Lymphocytes:drug effects, Male, Mercury Poisoning, Nervous System.   

INTRODUCTION: Heavy metals can negatively influence the reproduction due to the fact that they are able to impair the immune reactions including autoantibody production in susceptible individuals. In such a way the infertility could be also caused by altered pathologic immune reaction.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate the in vitro lymphocyte reaction after stimulation with metals and production of gamma interferon and antisperm antibodies in supernatants after lymphocyte stimulation in patients with infertility and with proven antisperm antibodies in their serum. The cause of antisperm antibodies presence was not determined.

METHODS: The diagnosis of metal allergy was performed by the lymphocyte proliferation method modified for metals (MELISA) in supernatants of tissue cultures of lymphocytes without the antigen stimulation and after stimulation with mercury chloride, the in vitro production of gamma interferon and antisperm antibodies was studied by ELISA.

RESULTS: More than 50% of patients were reacting to mercury, iron, aluminium and silver as mean by lymphocyte reactivity. When compared the lymphocyte reaction in patients with and without mercury allergy we found that the lymphocytes of patients with mercury intolerance produced less gamma interferon and more antisperm antibodies in supernatants after mercury stimulation of their lymphocytes.

CONCLUSION: In patients with metal intolerance diagnosed by the MELISA test the release of metal ions from dental materials can be one of the stimulating factors which may adversely affect fertility....

Read abstract  Full text PDF