Author: Olivieri G, Novakovic M, Savaskan E, Meier F, Baysang G, Brockhaus M, Muller-Spahn F.
Source: Neuroscience.
Year: 2002
Comment:
While this study is not about dental mercury, it explores the role of estrogen in protecting from mercury toxicity.
Abstract / Excerpt:
“The role of estrogen as a neurotrophic/neuroprotective agent in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases is increasingly being shown. In this study we examine the neuroprotective effects of β-estradiol on SHSY5Y neuroblastoma cells which have been exposed to the heavy metals cobalt and mercury. The results show that cobalt and mercury are able to induce oxidative stress and cell cytotoxicity and increase the secretion of β-amyloid 1–40 and 1–42. These deleterious effects are reversed by the pretreatment of cells with β-estradiol. It is further shown that β-estradiol exerts its neuroprotective action through mechanisms which reduce oxidative stress and reduce β-amyloid secretion. Pre-treatment of the cells with α-estradiol did not alleviate the toxic effects of the heavy metals.
Our results are significant as they contribute to a better understanding of the mode of action of estrogen with relevance to its use in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.”
Citation:
Olivieri G, Novakovic M, Savaskan E, Meier F, Baysang G, Brockhaus M, Müller-Spahn F. The effects of beta-estradiol on SHSY5Y neuroblastoma cells during heavy metal induced oxidative stress, neurotoxicity and beta-amyloid secretion. Neuroscience. 2002; 113(4):849-855.