PMID: 

Drugs. 2001 ;61(5):565-72. PMID: 11368282

Abstract Title: 

Vaccines without thiomersal: why so necessary, why so long coming?

Abstract: 

The inorganic mercurial thiomersal (merthiolate) has been used as an effective preservative in numerous medical and non-medical products since the early 1930s. Both the potential toxicity of thiomersal and sensitisation to thiomersal in relation to the application of thiomersal-containing vaccines and immunoglobulins, especially in children, have been debated in the literature. The very low thiomersal concentrations in pharmacological and biological products are relatively non-toxic, but probably not in utero and during the first 6 months of life. The developing brain of the fetus is most susceptible to thiomersal and, therefore, women of childbearing age, in particular, should not receive thiomersal-containing products. Definitive data of doses at which developmental effects occur are not available. Moreover, revelation of subtle effects of toxicity needs long term observation of children. The ethylmercury radical of the thiomersal molecule appears to be the prominent sensitiser. The prevalence of thiomersal hypersensitivity in mostly selected populations varies up to 18%, but higher figures have been reported. The overall exposure to thiomersal differs considerably between countries. In many cases a positive routine patch test to thiomersal should be considered an accidental finding without or, probably more accurately, with low clinical relevance. In practice, some preventive measures can be taken with respect to thiomersal hypersensitivity. However, with regard to the debate on primary sensitisation during childhood and renewed attention for a reduction of children's exposure to mercury from all sources, the use of thiomersal should preferably be eliminated or at least be reduced. In 1999 the manufacturers of vaccines and immunoglobulins in the US and Europe were approached with this in mind. The potential toxicity in children seems to be of much more concern to them than the hidden sensitising properties of thiomersal. In The Netherlands, unlike many other countries, the exposure to thiomersal from pharmaceutical sources has already been reduced. Replacement of thiomersal in all products should have a high priority in all countries.

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PMID: 

Nanomedicine (Lond). 2019 Jun ;14(12):1565-1578. Epub 2019 Jun 19. PMID: 31215349

Abstract Title: 

Gold nanoparticles regulate tight junctions and improve cetuximab effect in colon cancer cells.

Abstract: 

Colon cancer (CC) is the second cause of cancer death worldwide. The use of nanoparticles for drug delivery has been increasing in cancer clinical trials over recent years.We evaluated cytotoxicity of citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and the role they play on cell-cell adhesion. We also used GNP for delivery of cetuximab into different CC cell lines.CC cells with well-formed tight junctions impair GNP uptake. Noncytotoxic concentration of GNP increases paracellular permeability in Caco-2 cells in a reversible way, concomitantly to tight junctions proteins CLDN1 and ZO-1 redistribution. GNP functionalized with cetuximab increases death of invasive HCT-116 CC cells.GNP can be used for drug delivery and can improve efficiency of CC therapy.

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PMID: 

Cancers (Basel). 2019 Jun 5 ;11(6). Epub 2019 Jun 5. PMID: 31195711

Abstract Title: 

Gold as a Possible Alternative to Platinum-Based Chemotherapy for Colon Cancer Treatment.

Abstract: 

Due to the increasing incidence and high mortality associated with colorectal cancer (CRC), novel therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Classic chemotherapy against CRC is based on oxaliplatin and other cisplatin analogues; however, platinum-based therapy lacks selectivity to cancer cells and leads to deleterious side effects. In addition, tumor resistance to oxaliplatin is related to chemotherapy failure. Gold(I) derivatives are a promising alternative to platinum complexes, since instead of interacting with DNA, they target proteins overexpressed on tumor cells, thus leading to less side effects than, but a comparable antitumor effect to, platinum derivatives. Moreover, given the huge potential of gold nanoparticles, the role of gold in CRC chemotherapy is not limited to gold(I) complexes. Gold nanoparticles have been found to be able to overcome multidrug resistance along with reduced side effects due to a more efficient uptake of classic drugs. Moreover, the use of gold nanoparticles has enhanced the effect of traditional therapies such as radiotherapy, photothermal therapy, or photodynamic therapy, and has displayed a potential role in diagnosis as a consequence of their optic properties. Herein, we have reviewed the most recent advances in the use of gold(I) derivatives and gold nanoparticles in CRC therapy.

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PMID: 

Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 1994 Jul ;104(3):296-301. PMID: 7518269

Abstract Title: 

Thimerosal induces toxic reaction in non-sensitized animals.

Abstract: 

The effects of injection of thimerosal solution on nonsensitized animals was investigated. Intrafootpad injection of thimerosal solution in nonsensitized mice resulted in a swelling response which peaked 1 h after injection and lasted for more than 24 h. Histopathological examination showed that there were severe edema and infiltration of polymorphonuclear neutrophils at the site of injection. An increased vascular permeability was observed after cutaneous injection of thimerosal solution on the back of nonsensitized rats. Since mercuric chloride and methyl mercury induced severer reactions, and thiosalicylic acid had no effect, mercury contained in thimerosal would have caused the reactions observed in this study. These results suggest that part of these hypersensitivity reactions against thimerosal observed among patients were possibly induced by the toxic effect of thimerosal. Therefore, thimerosal contained as a preservative in vaccine may augment the side-effects of the vaccination.

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PMID: 

J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2014 Apr ;28(2):125-30. Epub 2014 Feb 9. PMID: 24613139

Abstract Title: 

In vitro study of thimerosal reactions in human whole blood and plasma surrogate samples.

Abstract: 

Because of its bactericidal and fungicidal properties, thimerosal is used as a preservative in drugs and vaccines and is thus deliberately injected into the human body. In aqueous environment, it decomposes into thiosalicylic acid and the ethylmercury cation. This organomercury fragment is a potent neurotoxin and is suspected to have similar toxicity and bioavailability like the methylmercury cation. In this work, human whole blood and physiological simulation solutions were incubated with thimerosal to investigate its behaviour and binding partners in the blood stream. Inductively coupled plasma with optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used for total mercury determination in different blood fractions, while liquid chromatography (LC) coupled to electrospray ionisation time-of-flight (ESI-TOF) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) provided information on the individual mercury species in plasma surrogate samples. Analogous behaviour of methylmercury and ethylmercury species in human blood was shown and an ethylmercury-glutathione adduct was identified.

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PMID: 

J Biomed Nanotechnol. 2019 Sep 1 ;15(9):1960-1967. PMID: 31387682

Abstract Title: 

Gold Nanoparticles Enhance Radiation Therapy at Low Concentrations, and Remain in Tumors for Days.

Abstract: 

Gold nanoparticles are a potential method for enhancing radiation therapy, causing extra damage to tumors when irradiated through the Auger effect. One of the major obstacles to using gold nanoparticles in human trials is the relatively large amount of gold required. This paper details an experiment where a relatively small amount of gold (200g) was used to significantly reduce tumor volume in mice, as well as the results of an inter-tissue biodistribution experiment. Using a longitudinal analysis, tumor size as a function of time was found to be significantly reduced when mice were given 200g of gold nanoparticles and 20 Gray of radiation, compared to radiation alone. 200g in a 20-gram mouse would be mass equivalent to 750 mg of gold in a 75 kg person. Biodistribution measurements demonstrated that gold nanoparticles stayed in the tumor for at least one week after injection when targeted to tumors using pH-Low Insertion Peptide and intratumoral injections. These results show gold nanoparticles to be effective at one of the smallest amounts of gold ever attempted in a mouse, and showed that tumor targeting has the potential to keep gold nanoparticles available in tumors long enough to be beneficial to fractionated radiation treatments (a key component of radiation therapy in the clinic).

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PMID: 

Cell Stress. 2019 Jul 31 ;3(8):267-279. Epub 2019 Jul 31. PMID: 31440741

Abstract Title: 

Gold Nanoparticles sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine.

Abstract: 

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the deadliest solid cancers with dismal prognosis. Several mechanisms that are mainly responsible for aggressiveness and therapy resistance of PDAC cells include epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), stemness and Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) signaling. Strategies that inhibit these mechanisms are critically important to improve therapeutic outcome in PDAC. In the current study, we wanted to investigate whether gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) could sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to the chemotherapeutic agent gemcitabine. We demonstrated that treatment with AuNPs of 20 nm diameter inhibited migration and colony forming ability of pancreatic cancer cells. Pre-treatment with AuNPs sensitized pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine in both viability and colony forming assays. Mechanistically, pre-treatment of pancreatic cancer cells with AuNPs decreased gemcitabine induced EMT, stemness and MAPK activation. Taken together, these findings suggest that AuNPs could be considered as a potential agent to sensitize pancreatic cancer cells to gemcitabine.

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PMID: 

PLoS One. 2017 ;12(1):e0170623. Epub 2017 Jan 24. PMID: 28118383

Abstract Title: 

Methylmercury Causes Blood-Brain Barrier Damage in Rats via Upregulation of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression.

Abstract: 

Clinical manifestations of methylmercury (MeHg) intoxication include cerebellar ataxia, concentric constriction of visual fields, and sensory and auditory disturbances. The symptoms depend on the site of MeHg damage, such as the cerebellum and occipital lobes. However, the underlying mechanism of MeHg-induced tissue vulnerability remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we used a rat model of subacute MeHg intoxication to investigate possible MeHg-induced blood-brain barrier (BBB) damage. The model was established by exposing the rats to 20-ppm MeHg for up to 4 weeks; the rats exhibited severe cerebellar pathological changes, although there were no significant differences in mercury content among the different brain regions. BBB damage in the cerebellum after MeHg exposure was confirmed based on extravasation of endogenous immunoglobulin G (IgG) and decreased expression of rat endothelial cell antigen-1. Furthermore, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic growth factor, increased markedly in the cerebellum and mildly in the occipital lobe following MeHg exposure. VEGF expression was detected mainly in astrocytes of the BBB. Intravenous administration of anti-VEGF neutralizing antibody mildly reduced the rate of hind-limb crossing signs observed in MeHg-exposed rats. In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time that MeHg induces BBB damage via upregulation of VEGF expression at the BBB in vivo. Further studies are required in order to determine whether treatment targeted at VEGF can ameliorate MeHg-induced toxicity.

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PMID: 

J Membr Biol. 2016 12 ;249(6):823-831. Epub 2016 Oct 13. PMID: 27738716

Abstract Title: 

Effects of Thimerosal on Lipid Bilayers and Human Erythrocytes: An In Vitro Study.

Abstract: 

Thimerosal (THI, ethyl-mercury thiosalicylate) is added to vaccines as a preservative; as a consequence, infants may have been exposed to bolus doses of Hg that collectively added up to nominally 200 µg Hg during the first 6 months of life. While several studies report an association between THI-containing vaccines and neurological disorders, other studies do not support the causal relation between THI and autism. With the purpose to understand the molecular mechanisms of the toxic effect of THI it was assayed on human red cells and in bilayers built-up of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) and dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE), classes of phospholipids found in the outer and inner monolayers of the human erythrocyte membrane, respectively. The capacity of THI to interactwith DMPC and DMPE was determined by X-ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry, whereas intact human erythrocytes were observed by optical, defocusing and scanning electron microscopy. The experimental findings of this study demonstrated that THI interacted in a concentration-dependentmanner with DMPC and DMPE bilayers, and in vitro interacted with erythrocytes inducing morphological changes. However, concentrations were considerable higher than those present in vaccines.

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When it comes to food, the colors you see in plants provide powerful information. They often signal the rich nutrient density of the plant. When you look at a blueberry and see that color, you see delphinidin-3-galactoside. When you look at a carrot and see that color, you see beta carotene. Our eyes are adapted to notice the critical nutrients in food. The flavor molecules that we taste and seek after in plants are often important molecules for our health. That’s why our tongue is adapted to taste them.

The color in food can also be a sign that the plant is dangerous, like a poisonous berry. It’s meant to alert us to stay away.

What Is Are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are the essential smell of a plant — the essence of the plant. These are molecules that our nose is adapted to detect. Those aromas may be messages that we are near molecules of benefit, or they may be messages about molecules we should avoid. Either way, it’s a signal we should pay attention to.

The Essential Oil Movement

In the last few years, there’s been a lot of hubbub online, in the popular press, and possibly from your next-door neighbor about essential oils. Some of the proponents of essential oil products say, or at least infer, that these oils are special – they are essential. They have used the word to mean indispensable or required rather than the scientific meaning of the smell of the plant. The essence.

The overuse and misuse of the term essential oil has caused some to dismiss the essential oil movement. The idea that essential oils as a class are good for you, is inaccurate. Like color, some of the molecules we smell in the plant help us know what to avoid.

Plants are powerful and our interactions with them can be powerful. The ones that are most likely to be important to us are the ones that we are primed to detect either by their taste, their aroma or by other means. For essential oils it’s about the aroma.

Medicinal Oils

There are some powerful, essential oils that don’t go by the name essential oil. For instance, Eugenol is a clove oil that’s been used in dentistry for a long time. I don’t recommend this instead of seeing a dentist but, I’ve had a cracked tooth, put a drop of Red Cross Toothache Medication (clove oil) on the tooth, and it instantly relieved the pain. Eugenol may not be marketed as an essential oil. But that’s what it is.

Evaluating Essential Oils Claims

If something has been touted because it’s an essential oil, stop and think about why.

• What plant did the oil come from?
• How do we typically interact with that plant?
• How do you, or your child, interact with it?
• What impact does it have on health?
• Does the plant have placebo-controlled measurable trials that show a clear benefit?

For instance, garlic, mullein and calendula ear drops have been shown to be extraordinarily effective both in pain relief and antimicrobial properties. This has been shown in clinical trials. Some essential oil either don’t have any studies to back up their claims or they weren’t shown to be better than placebo.

Are Essential Oils Just Placebos?

The question is not placebo versus essential oil versus treatment. As I’ve discussed in [link to brain stage] other places, every medicine has what I call a brain stage – that part of healing caused by the brain, not by the active ingredients in a substance.

The question is, does it work? If an essential oil causes improvement and doesn’t have side effects, that’s a great thing.  What matters to an individual, whether using an essential oil, a natural remedy, an over-the-counter medicine or a prescribed medicine is the sum total of the intervention and the brain together along with the sum total downside or adverse events of the active part in the intervention and the brain part together.

Often gentle, natural approaches are just what is needed. They help you get through a minor ailment, they help stimulate your body to heal itself, all without relying on toxic chemicals.

The Essential Oil Fallacy

Like with so many things, we want simple answers. Black or white. Yes or no. With essential oils the fallacy is that all essential oils are good or that essential oils are sham medicine. The reality is some essential oils are medicinal and some essential oils have a medicinal effect just because there’s a brain stage. While some essential oils actually have a negative health impact.

Like the rich color in a food means pay attention, so does the powerful essence of plant oils. Paying attention takes effort, but the rewards are worth it.

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