Physical, Chemical, and Immunohistochemical Investigation of the Damage to Salivary Glands in a Model of Intoxication with Aluminium Citrate

Costa, Natacha Malu Miranda da; Correa, Russell S.; Júnior, Ismael S. M.; Figueiredo, Adilson J. R.; Vilhena, Kelly F. B.; Farias-Junior, Paulo M. A.; Teixeira, Francisco Bruno; Ferreira, Nayana Maria Moraes; Pereira-Júnior, João B.; Dantas, Kelly das Graças Fernandes; Silva, Márcia C. F. da; Silva-Júnior, Ademir Ferreira da; Alves-Júnior, Sérgio de Melo; Pinheiro, João de Jesus Viana; Lima, Rafael Rodrigues

doi:10.3390/ijerph111212429

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 45 publications

(53 reference statements)

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“…In previous studies from our group, we showed Al deposition in the salivary glands [12] and also oxidative stress and morphology impairment after low-dose exposure to Al [22]. However, little is known about the mechanisms related to the effects of chronic and lowdose Al exposure, especially the changes related to molecular impairments.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

“…The presence of residual Al in drinking water is one of the most common forms of exposure to the metal [7] and studies indicate that Al can enter the human body through a combination of Al ions with other molecules, forming aluminum salts that can be easily absorbed in the stomach [8,9]. Then, Al is distributed throughout the organism and can affect many organs, such as the cerebellum [10], kidneys [11] and even the salivary glands [12] of animals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Salivary Glands after Prolonged Aluminum Exposure: Proteomic Approach Underlying Biochemical and Morphological Impairments in Rats

Souza-Monteiro

Bittencourt

et al. 2022

IJMS

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Aluminum (Al) is one of the most abundant elements on Earth, and its high extraction rate and industrial use make human exposure very common. As Al may be a human toxicant, it is important to investigate the effects of Al exposure, mainly at low doses and for prolonged periods, by simulating human exposure. This work aimed to study the effects of low-dose exposure to chloride aluminum (AlCl3) on the oxidative biochemistry, proteomic profile, and morphology of the major salivary glands. Wistar male rats were exposed to 8.3 mg/kg/day of AlCl3 via intragastric gavage for 60 days. Then, the parotid and submandibular glands were subjected to biochemical assays, proteomic evaluation, and histological analysis. Al caused oxidative imbalance in both salivary glands. Dysregulation of protein expression, mainly of those related to cytoarchitecture, energy metabolism and glandular function, was detected in both salivary glands. Al also promoted histological alterations, such as acinar atrophy and an increase in parenchymal tissue. Prolonged exposure to Al, even at low doses, was able to modulate molecular alterations associated with morphological impairments in the salivary glands of rats. From this perspective, prolonged Al exposure may be a risk to exposed populations and their oral health.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 82%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Salivary Glands after Prolonged Aluminum Exposure: Proteomic Approach Underlying Biochemical and Morphological Impairments in Rats

Souza-Monteiro

Bittencourt

et al. 2022

IJMS

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“…Their presence, and estimated amount, in the swabs certainly warrants a discussion in terms of their potential impact to human health, particularly given the high number of tests that many people are undergoing, which could potentially lead to bioaccumulation of these elements in the body from repeated exposure. The bioaccumulation of aluminium, 28,29 and fluoride 30 are well recognized phenomena, although accumulation is highly dose-dependent. 31,32 Less studied is the bioaccumulation of transition metals in humans.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scanning electron microscopy and EDX spectroscopy of commercial swabs used for COVID-19 lateral flow testing

Aparicio-Alonso

Torres-Solórzano

Contreras

et al. 2023

Preprint

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The chemical composition of COVID test swabs has not been examined beyond the manufacturers' datasheets. Given the unprecedented demand for swabs to conduct rapid lateral flow tests and nucleic acid amplification tests, which led to mass production, including 3-D printing platforms, it is plausible that manufacturing impurities could be present in the swabs and, if so, could pose a risk for human health. We used scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy to examine the ultrastructure of five assorted brands of COVID test swabs, and to identify and quantify their chemical elements. We detected unexpected elements, including transition metals, such as titanium and zirconium, as well as aluminium, silicon, and fluorine. The amount of some of the detected elements is close to reported toxicological thresholds for inhalation routes. Experimental studies have shown that detrimental effects of the unexpected chemical elements include moderate to severe inflammatory states in the exposed epithelium as well as proliferative changes. Given the massive testing still being used in the context of the COVID pandemic, often as requisites for travelling, attending universities, or as mandatory work policies, we urge caution in continuing to recommend repeated and frequent testing, particularly of healthy, non-symptomatic, individuals.

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“…However, their presence certainly warrants a discussion in terms of their potential impact human health, particularly given the high number of COVID tests that many people are undergoing, which could potentially lead to bioaccumulation from repeated exposure. The bioaccumulation of aluminium [27,28] and fluoride are well-recognized phenomena [29], and are highly dosedependent [30,31]. Less studied is the bioaccumulation of transition metals in humans.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Scanning Electron Microscopy and EDX Spectroscopy of Commercial Swabs Used for COVID-19 Lateral Flow Testing

Aparicio-Alonso,

Torres-Solórzano,

Méndez-Contreras

et al. 2023

Toxics

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The chemical composition of COVID test swabs has not been examined beyond the manufacturer’s datasheets. The unprecedented demand for swabs to conduct rapid lateral flow tests and nucleic acid amplification tests led to mass production, including 3D printing platforms. Manufacturing impurities could be present in the swabs and, if so, could pose a risk to human health. We used scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy to examine the ultrastructure of seven assorted brands of COVID test swabs and to identify and quantify their chemical elements. We detected eight unexpected elements, including transition metals, such as titanium and zirconium, the metalloid silicon, as well as post-transition metals aluminium and gallium, and the non-metal elements sulphur and fluorine. Some of the elements were detected as trace amounts, but for others, the amount was close to reported toxicological thresholds for inhalation routes. Experimental studies have shown that the detrimental effects of unexpected chemical elements include moderate to severe inflammatory states in the exposed epithelium as well as proliferative changes. Given the massive testing still being used in the context of the COVID pandemic, we urge caution in continuing to recommend repeated and frequent testing, particularly of healthy, non-symptomatic, individuals.

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Physical, Chemical, and Immunohistochemical Investigation of the Damage to Salivary Glands in a Model of Intoxication with Aluminium Citrate

Cited by 11 publications

References 45 publications

Salivary Glands after Prolonged Aluminum Exposure: Proteomic Approach Underlying Biochemical and Morphological Impairments in Rats

Salivary Glands after Prolonged Aluminum Exposure: Proteomic Approach Underlying Biochemical and Morphological Impairments in Rats

Scanning electron microscopy and EDX spectroscopy of commercial swabs used for COVID-19 lateral flow testing

Scanning Electron Microscopy and EDX Spectroscopy of Commercial Swabs Used for COVID-19 Lateral Flow Testing

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