MTHFr, Methylation and Metals
Transcription
MTHFr, Methylation and Metals
MTHFr, Methylation and Metals Dr. Amy A. Yasko Ph.D., ND, NHD, AMD, HHP, FAAIM “What do schizophrenia, diabetes and autism have in common? The answer is that many different factors act together to influence their development. As well as fundamentals like age and gender, other genetic and environmental factors…may play a role in the onset of these so-called multifactorial diseases.” Multifactorial Diseases:Choose your targets BIOPEOPLE, Summer 2004 Multifactorial Disease •Environmental •Genetic •Infectious •Stress DISEASE Predisposing Factors That Increase Susceptibility to Autism MTHF & COMT Allelic Variations Number of Glutamate Receptors (total “Excitotoxin” level) Prior Underlying Streptococcal Infection Heavy Metal Burden Chronic Viral Infection Sex, Blood Type, HLA Type DPT Vaccine Viewing Order • Neurological Inflammation Tape • Putting It All Together 2 part tape • Boston DVDs Predisposing Factors That Increase Susceptibility to Autism • MTHF & COMT Allelic Variations • Number of Glutamate Receptors (total “Excitotoxin” level) Prior Underlying Streptococcal Infection Heavy Metal Burden Chronic Viral Infection Sex, Blood Type, HLA Type DPT Vaccine Methylation • Importance of methylation • Pathway • What we can do about it Methylation Methyl groups – CH3 H H C H Bound to DNA, enzymes, vitamins In many cancer cells, inappropriate methylation – the attachment of methyl (CH3) groups to DNA’s cytosine bases – can silence genes that supress tumor growth. Methylation • • DNA synthesis • Megaloblastic anemia • T cells • Intestinal mucosa Involved in DNA regulation • Host • Viral • Myelination and pruning • Proper immune response to i.e. TB • Membrane fluidity, phospholipid methylation • Enzymatic reactions requiring methylation • Melatonin • Neurotransmitter levels : dopamine,norepinephrine • Tryptophan methylation: serotonin, Methylation is related to neurotransmitter levels; methylation of intermediates in tryptophan metabolism can affect the levels of serotonin. Intermediates of the methylation pathway are also shared with the pathway involved in dopamine synthesis. Consequently, imbalances in the methylation pathway will also affect the neurotransmitter dopamine. In addition to its direct role as a neurotransmitter, dopamine is involved in methylating phospholipids in the cell membranes. Membrane fluidity is important for a variety of reasons including proper signaling of the immune system as well as protecting nerves from damage. The building blocks for DNA and RNA require the methylation pathway. Without adequate DNA and RNA it is difficult for the body to synthesize new cells. This would result in a decreased level of new T cell synthesis. De novo T cell synthesis is necessary to respond to viral infection, as well as for other aspects of the proper functioning of the immune system. Metals myelination methylation is necessary for myelination Metals myelination remyelination lack of methylation methylation and metals myelination Without myelin, axons will continue to grow and pruning will be compromised. Serotonin 5-HT; 5-hydroxytryptamine Melatonin N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine DNA Methylation “DNA methylation may maintain the large amount of non-coding DNA in an inert state.” “This process would help prevent the transcription of large parts of the genome… INSERTED VIRAL SEQUENCES.” “…consequences of loss of methylation… could cause the potentially harmful expression of inserted viral genes.” New England Journal of Medicine, November 20, 2003 Methylation in Arsenic Detoxification Arsenite methylation by methylvitamin B12 and glutathione does not require an enzyme. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1999 Feb 1;154(3):287-91. Zakharyan RA, Aposhian HV. Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, 85721-0106, USA. Although inorganic arsenic is methylated enzymatically by arsenic methyltransferases, which have been found in many mammalian livers, the detection of such enzymes has not been successful in surgically removed human livers. Results of the present experiments demonstrated that methylvitamin B12 (methylcobalamin, CH3B12) in the presence of thiols and inorganic arsenite can produce, in vitro, substantial amounts of monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) and small amounts of dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) in the absence of enzymes. Furthermore, this nonenzymatic methylation of inorganic arsenite by CH3B12 was increased substantially by the presence of dimercaptopropanesulfonate (DMPS) and/or sodium selenite. The actions of DMPS and selenite together were additive. The methylation by CH3B12 was neither inhibited nor stimulated by human liver cytosol. Since the amount of MMA produced by the in vitro system described in this study was not small, these results emphasize the need for a properly designed nutritional study in humans exposed to inorganic arsenic as to the relationship between vitamin B12, selenium, and the metabolism of carcinogenic inorganic arsenic. Copyright 1999 Academic Press. Methyl-donor deficiency due to chemically induced glutathione depletion Cancer Research, Vol 56, Issue 5 995-1005, Copyright © 1996 by American Association for Cancer Research K Lertratanangkoon, RS Orkiszewski and JM Scimeca Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston 77555-1031, USA. • Dietary deficiency of methionine (Met) is known to deplete cellular Met and cause DNA hypomethylation, but depletion of Met and impairment in methylation due to chemically induced glutathione (GSH) depletion has escaped recognition. • These results provide direct evidence that depletion of GSH leads to Met depletion and also injures the methylation processes. • In animal models, levels of glutathione remain constant in females who have suffered a brain injury, but drop by as much as 80 percent in males with the same injury. When glutathione levels drop, brain cells die much more quickly. This suggests that boys with brain injuries may require different life-saving treatments than girls. (Researchers Find Brain Cells Die Differently in Males and Females; Pediatric Academic Societies Press release; 21-Apr-2004 ) Dennis Grayson, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Molecular Biology and Neuroscience Neuropsychiatric Institute University of Illinois at Chicago • Down-regulation of reelin and GAD67 expression in post-mortem brains of patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and not in post-mortem material obtained from other psychiatric patients (Guidotti et al., 2000). • To date, reelin and GAD67 mRNA and protein levels are reduced by approximately 50% in every cortical area, in hippocampi and in cerebella of postmortem brains obtained from patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. In these same samples, there were no changes in the levels of GAD65 immunoreactivity and mRNA that are expressed in the same neurons that express reelin and GAD67. This suggests the possibility that the genes encoding reelin and GAD67 may be coordinately regulated and that there may be a defect in the regulation of the promoters of each gene that compromises expression. • Based on data obtained thus far, we suggest that methylation represents a switch that can be used to turn off reelin expression under appropriate conditions. We are addressing whether this may also be operative in the regulation of GAD67 and GAD65. The role that methylation plays in regulating gene expression in the nervous system is still under explored. We know that alterations in methylation can result in mental retardation. Mutations that occur in methyl CpG binding proteins have drastic consequences that occur postnatally. The link between mental disorders and methylation aberrations indicates that DNA methylation plays a vital role with regard to normal functioning of the central nervous system (Robertson and Wolffe, 2000 ). A further indication for an important role of methylation in the brain is the observation of high levels of neuronal methyltransferase (Goto et al., 1993 ). One of the first mental disorders to be linked to errors in methylation was fragile-X syndrome, a predominantly male form of mental retardation. Patients with this disorder display an increase in methylation at the CpG island upstream of the FMR1 (fragile-X mental retardation) gene coupled with a decrease in FMR1 expression (Robertson and Wolffe, 2000 ). An additional mental disorder linked to alterations in methylation is Rett syndrome, an X-linked disorder responsible for a predominantly female form of mental retardation. This appears to stem from a mutation in the gene that encodes the methylcytosine-binding protein MeCP2 (Nan et al., 1997 ). Furthermore, Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes, both characterized by severe mental deficits, are linked to alterations in the methylation patterns of a differentially methylated region within the SNRPN promoter/exon1 region on the paternal and maternal alleles, respectively (Shemer et al., 2000 ). Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is an example of a developmental disorder due to alteration of methylationregulated imprinting mechanisms. BWS is characterized by developmental growth disorders, which, in some cases, is accompanied by increased expression of Igf2 (Issa and Baylin, 1996 ). Igf2 is typically a paternally expressed gene, but loss of imprinting may be caused by abnormal patterns of methylation (Maher and Reik, 2000 ). Furthermore, certain methyltransferases may be essential in embryonic development; a homozygous null mutation of de novo methyltransferase Dnmt1 results in embryonic lethality in mice (Bestor, 2000 ). Methylation-dependent T cell immunity to Mycobacterium tuberculosis heparin-binding hemagglutinin. Temmerman S, Pethe K, Parra M, Alonso S, Rouanet C, Pickett T, Drowart A, Debrie AS, Delogu G, Menozzi FD, Sergheraert C, Brennan MJ, Mascart F, Locht C. Nat Med. 2004 Sep;10(9):935-41. Epub 2004 Aug 08. • Methylation of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis heparin-binding hemagglutinin (HBHA) by the bacterium is essential for effective T cell immunity to this antigen in infected healthy humans and in mice. • Post-translational modifications of proteins may be crucial for their ability to induce protective T cell-mediated immunity against infectious diseases such as tuberculosis. Methylation and Fragile X • In females methylation is used regularly to solve a problem. Men have only one X chromosome and women have two. As a result, female cells might be expected to make twice as much protein from the information on X chromosomes as males do. Instead, women's cells randomly pick one of the X chromosomes and turn it off by methylation. Thus both males and females have one working X chromosome in each cell and as a result, one working unit of all the genetic information on the X chromosome. • However, in fragile X syndrome, methylation is involved in causing the disease. Near the Fragile X Mental Retardation 1 gene (FMR1) is a regulatory site called a CpG island. In most people, the site is not methylated. As a result, the cell can use the FMR1 gene when there is a need for Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP). • In people with fragile X syndrome, the CpG island is methylated. As a result, the cell is unable to copy the information in the FMR1 gene. Since an mRNA copy is not made, FMRP will not be synthesized. Since there is no FMRP at the time and place it is needed, the characteristics of fragile X syndrome are set in motion. • Having more than 230 CGG repeats sets in motion methylation of part of the FMR1 gene. The methylation stops the synthesis of FMRP and the absence of FMRP causes fragile X syndrome. We do not know why having too many CGG repeats triggers methylation. Fragile X • • • • DNA methylation FMRP is an RNA binding protein Excessive glutamate Decreased pruning Friedrichs Ataxia • DNA methylation Reelin • DNA methylation • Decreased gaba • Relationship to Schizophrenia Reelin • Methylation of the reelin gene is used to regulate its activity. • There are 100 potential sites for methylation on the reelin gene. • Lack of methylation may lead to the extra long versions of the reelin protein found by Kellers group. Nucleic Acids Research July 2002, page 2930, PNAS March 29, 2000, page 3556 On the epigenetic regulation of the human reelin promoter. Chen Y, Sharma RP, Costa RH, Costa E, Grayson DR. Nucleic Acids Res. 2002 Jul 1;30(13):2930-9. • Reln mRNA and protein levels are reduced by approximately 50% in various cortical structures of postmortem brain from patients diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar illness with psychosis. • These findings indicate that one determinant responsible for regulating reelin expression is the methylation status of the promoter. Our data also raise the interesting possibility that the down-regulation of reelin expression documented in psychiatric patients might be the consequence of inappropriate promoter hypermethylation. Methylation Reelin Reelin GAD enzyme Angelman Syndrome • DNA methylation • UBE3A gene • UBE3A, "ubiquitin protein ligase E3A • The UBE3A gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called ubiquitin protein ligase E3A. This enzyme is involved in targeting other proteins to be broken down (degraded) within cells. • Leads to the specific degradation of proteins through the ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis system. • Protein degradation is a normal process that removes damaged or unnecessary proteins and helps maintain the normal functions of cells. The lack of ubiquitination could lead to failure to degrade these proteins or to other functional alterations of target proteins. Adenylsuccinate Lyase Mutation • Inability to synthesize DNA • Inability to synthesize RNA Cerebral Folate Deficiency • Decreased methylation Effect of methylation on Metallothionein genes • “Differences in methylation may account for the differential susceptibility of tissues to cadmium toxicity” Detoxification • Glucuronidation • Sulfation • Methylation • Catechol O methyl transferase (flavinoids) • COMT • Phenol O methyltransferase(phenols) • Thiol methyltransferase (IBD) At least 15% of the general population has a genetic enzyme defect (C-to-T mutation of nucleotide 677 of the MTHFr gene) that causes elevated homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine are correlated with heart disease, as well as with Alzheimer’s disease. Moreover, higher risks of neural tube malformations have been attributed to this mutation. An additional genetic change in the MTHFr gene, known as A1298C, also results in a lowered enzymatic activity. It is essential when screening, to use a test that looks for BOTH of these mutations, the C677T and the A1298C. Saliva and blood tests are available to determine if you have this mutation. According to Dr. Richard Kunin up to 80%-90% of the patients he sees carry one or the other of these MTHFr mutations. In Dr. Yasko’s practice, she has seen an exceedingly high correlation between children with this mutation and autism and ADD, ADHD. The pathways involved with this mutation are understood, and nutritional supplements are available that bypass the genetic defect. (Presentation: Vitamin Related Mutations, Jan., 2004).) Case study • • • • Severely autistic MTHFr Negative provoked urine RNA based protocol with EDTA Provoked urine tests do not always reflect the actual body burden of heavy metals, especially in the presence of chronic infection. DMSA Provoked Urine June 4, 2001 NO MERCURY DMSA Provoked Urine July 16,2001 NO MERCURY DMSA Provoked Urine August 15, 2001 NO MERCURY DMSA Provoked Urine February 3, 2002 NO MERCURY “ D-Glucaric Acid marginally low: A result lower than normal range may be of no clinical significance, or reflect (1) an environment unusually free of xenobiotics… Mercapturic Acids Normal: The level of mercapturic acids in this patients urine sample is within the normal range for age and gender for individuals that have not been exposed to greater than average levels of xenobiotics…” Methylation Pathway and Supplementation COMT COMT is the enzyme that inactivates dopamine and norepinephrine by adding a methyl group to these compounds. • COMT has an allelic variation with high activity, which decreases dopamine • COMT has an allelic variation with low activity, which has less of a decrease of dopamine • These variations in COMT may correlate with children that are “over” or “under” methylated Supplementation with SAMe in the Methylation Pathway DMG TMG B6 cysteine S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM) Some of the important reactions in which SAM is involved are: Methylation of DNA and RNA. DNA- and RNA-methylases use SAM as a source of methyl groups. A major target of methylases is the 5 position of cytosine of DNA. The degree of methylation correlates with transcriptional activity. (Globin genes, for example, are highly methylated in non-erythroid cells but not in erythroid cells. The conversion of epinephrine to norepinephrine is also catalyzed by an N-methyl transferase that uses SAM. Note that because methionine is an essential amino acid, if it is limiting, choline could also become a nutritional requirement Methyl groups in carcinogenesis: effects on DNA methylation and gene expression. Wainfan E, Poirier LA. New York Blood Center, New York 10021. Cancer Res. 1992 Apr 1;52(7 Suppl):2071s-2077s. • Lipotrope-deficient (methyl-deficient) diets cause fatty livers and increased liver-cell turnover and promote carcinogenesis in rodents. • In livers of rats fed a severely methyl-deficient diet (MDD), lowered pools of S-adenosylmethionine and hypomethylated DNA were observed within 1 week. The extent of DNA hypomethylation increased when MDD was fed for longer periods. • The decreases in overall levels of DNA methylation were accompanied by simultaneous alterations in gene expression, yielding patterns that closely resembled those reported to occur in livers of animals exposed to cancer-promoting chemicals and in hepatomas. Concerns in terms of the potential role of thimerosal in this pathway • Tetrahydrofolate is required for the synthesis of thymine and the purine bases used to produce precursors of DNA • Thus, Tetrahydrofolate is required for cell division • Blockage of thymine and purine base synthesis by folate deficiency, or drugs that interfere with folate metabolism, produces a decreased rate of cell division and growth Chemical Name: O-Mercaptobenzoic acid Synonyms •Thiosalicylic acid •O-Mercaptobenzoic acid •NSC660640; NSC2184 AIDS# 018 266 Links to ChemID Plus by CAS# 147-93-3 MW: 154.1 9 C7 H6 O2 S H-bond donors: 2 H-bond acceptors: 2 PHIA (Flexible Bonds): 1.99 Calc. LogP (KowWin): 2.22 Company: Lines of Data: 2 Number of References: 1 Calc. LogP (MDL QSAR): 2.21 Anti-HIV Enzyme data: 0 Number of References: 0 Lines of Data: 2 TB Min MIC TB Min IC50 50 ug/mL Number of References: 1 Classes: BENZOIC ACIDS; BENZOIC ACIDS Lipinski: Y Thimerosal Molecular formula: C9H9HgNaO2S Synonyms: Merthiolate; Ethyl [2mercaptobenzoato(2-)-O,S]-mercurate(1-) sodium; Ethyl (2-mercaptobenzoato-S) mercury, sodium salt; Mercurothiolate; Merfamin; Mertorgan; Merzonin; [(ocarboxyphenyl)thio]ethylmercury sodium salt; Sodium ethyl mercurithiosalicylate; Thiomersalate; Thimerosal; Ethylmercurithiosalicylic acid sodium salt; Merthiolate sodium; elicide; o(ethylmercurithio)benzoic acid sodium salt; merzonin sodium; SET; sodium ethylmercuric thiosalicylate; thimerosalate; thimerosol; thimersalate; thiomerosal; thiomersal; sodium o-(ethylmercurithio)benzoate; ethyl(hydrogen o-mercaptobenzoato)mercury, sodium salt; nosemack; merseptyl; benzoic acid, 2mercapto-, mercury complex; elcide 75; ethyl (sodium o-mercaptobenzoato)mercury; Elcide; Ethylmercurithiosalicylate-sodium; Sodium salt of (2-(carboxyphenyl)thio)ethylmercury; CAS Registry Number: 54-64-8 Chemical Structure: O-Mercaptobenzoic acid Thimerosal Requirement of RNA synthesis for T Cell Activation Thymidine=5 methyl uracil Thimerosal CO2Na N SHgCH2CH3 N Thimerosal CO2Na S NH N Hg N NH “Viruses use a “Trojan horse” strategy in which the victim assists the intruder. To extract assistance from the host cell, viruses use the detailed “inside information” that they have acquired during million of years of coevolution with their hosts.” Science Vol 304 April 9,2004 Factors that may lead to Chronic Viral Infection • • • Decreased T cell response due to MTHFr mutation that impairs DNA synthesis needed for T cell clonal expansion Impaired B cell response due to lack of T helper cells, and T regulatory cells. Further induction of IDO by interferon gamma • Interferon gamma has been reported to increase intestinal permeability and blood-brain permeability • • • Increased IDO, impact on self versus non self Decreased vaccine efficiency, increased viral load Nature of retroviruses themselves Chronic Viral Infection • Measles, Mumps, Rubella, HHV-6, Herpes Zostar (Chicken Pox) • Streptococcus, Herpes Virus, Measles Virus use the same receptor to get into cells • Increased susceptibility to all three • Viruses glutamate • Viruses host MT proteins bind metals inside virally infected cells Viruses as Parasites • Induction of Metallothionein proteins by viral infection • Trapping of heavy metals by virus Influenza Virus Infection Induces Metallothionein Gene Expression in the Mouse Liver and Lung by Overlapping but Distinct Molecular Mechanisms Kalpana Ghoshal,1 Sarmila Majumder,1 Qin Zhu,1 John Hunzeker,2 Jharna Datta,1 Manisha Shah,3 John F. Sheridan,2 and Samson T. Jacob1 Copyright © 2001, American Society for Microbiology Mol Cell Biol. 2001 December; 21 (24): 8301–8317 DOI: 10.1128/MCB.21.24.8301-8317.2001 These results have demonstrated that MT-I and MT-II can be induced robustly in the liver and lung following experimental influenza virus infection by overlapping but distinct molecular mechanisms. Effects of coxsackievirus B3 infection on the acute-phase protein metallothionein and on cytochrome P-4501A1 involved in the detoxification processes of TCDD in the mouse. Funseth E, Pahlman M, Eloranta ML, Friman G, Ilback NG. Sci Total Environ. 2002 Feb 4;284(1-3):37-47. • Infection had induced MT approximately 10-fold. • This may explain the observed changed pattern of accumulation, excretion and toxicity of the environmental pollutants cadmium and TCDD during this common virus infection. Global impact of influenza virus on cellular pathways is mediated by both replication-dependent and -independent events. Geiss GK, An MC, Bumgarner RE, Hammersmark E, Cunningham D, Katze MG. J Virol. 2001 May;75(9):4321-31. • How viruses alter the environment within the host cell. • Cellular response to influenza virus infection was examined by monitoring the steady-state mRNA levels for over 4,600 cellular genes. Infections with active and inactivated influenza viruses identified changes in cellular gene expression that were dependent on or independent of viral replication, respectively. • Interestingly, several genes involved in protein synthesis, transcriptional regulation, and cytokine signaling were induced by influenza virus replication, suggesting that some may play essential or accessory roles in the viral life cycle or the host cell's stress response. • The gene expression pattern induced by inactivated viruses revealed induction of the cellular metallothionein genes that may represent a protective response to virus-induced oxidative stress. Cellular response to conditional expression of hepatitis C virus core protein in Huh7 cultured human hepatoma cells. Li K, Prow T, Lemon SM, Beard MR. Hepatology. 2002 May;35(5):1237-46 . • Changes in gene expression profiles in response to core expression were determined using commercial oligonucleotide microarrays (Affymetrix GeneChip). • Significant increases were observed in the abundance of mRNA-encoding members of the metallothionein (MT) family Decreased methylation creates a compromised host for the virus. “DNA methylation may maintain the large amount of non-coding DNA in an inert state.” “This process would help prevent the transcription of large parts of the genome… INSERTED VIRAL SEQUENCES.” “…consequences of loss of methylation… could cause the potentially harmful expression of inserted viral genes New England Journal of Medicine, November 20, 2003 Receptor: • Strep • Measles • Herpes Binding of aluminium ions by Staphylococcus aureus 893. Bradley TJ, Parker MS. Experientia. 1968 Nov 15;24(11):1175-6. Aluminum interferes with glutamate dehydrogenase Mercury inhibits glutamine synthase X X X Glutamate pathway “In the absence of glutamate, neurons are unaffected by acute exposure to mercury, suggesting that neuronal dysfunction is secondary to disturbances in astrocytes.” “Coapplication of nontoxic concentrations of MeHG and glutamate leads to the typical appearance of neuronal lesions associated with excitotxin stimulation” Brookes, 1992/Matyja and Albrecht, 1993 Aluminum inhibits the activity of acetylcholinesterase Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition and Neurological Inflammation • Aluminum • Organophosphates • Pyridostigmine Syndrome • Aluminum Tetanus Toxin Alzheimers Parkinson’s ALS/Gulf War Autism Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition Muscarinic Stimulation Nicotinic Stimulation • • • • Pinpoint pupils Blurred vision Hypersecretion Bladder incontinence • Muscle twitching • Muscle weakness • Dilated pupils The Autonomic Nervous System Structure Sympathetic Stimulation Parasympathetic Stimulation Iris (eye muscle) Pupil dilation Pupil constriction Salivary Glands Saliva production reduced Saliva production increased Oral/Nasal Mucosa Mucus production reduced Mucus production increased Heart Heart rate and force increased Heart rate and force decreased Lung Bronchial muscle relaxed Bronchial muscle contracted Stomach Peristalsis reduced Gastric juice secreted; motility increased Small Intestine Motility reduced Digestion increased Large Intestine Motility reduced Secretions and motility increased Liver Increased conversion of glycogen to glucose Kidney Decreased urine secretion Increased urine secretion Adrenal medulla Norepinephrine and epinephrine secreted Bladder Wall relaxed Sphincter closed Wall contracted Sphincter relaxed Considerations • • • • Use of choline, lecithin, phosphatidyl choline Seizure activity and choline Organophosphates (pesticides), GMO Endosulphan pesticides (nuts) and gaba release Aluminum leads to stimulation of the immune system Effects on the PIP Signaling Pathway Work by Dr. Richard Deth suggests that stimulation of methionine synthase by dopamine and IGF1 involves activation of the PI3kinase system. xaluminumx Biol Trace Elem Res. 1997 Dietary nickel and folic acid interact to affect folate and methionine metabolism in the rat. Uthus EO, Poellot RA. United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, ND 58202-9034, USA. Nickel caused a further increase in urinary FIGLU Nickel caused a further decrease in SAMe … Because of this, it is proposed that the physiological function of nickel is related to the common metabolism shared by SAM and FIGLU. Possibly the physiological function of nickel could be related to the tissue concentration of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF) or tetrahydrofolate (THF). Valproic acid can be used to treat seizures. Valproic acid helps to increase reelin There is literature to suggest that valproic acid may exacerbate measles viral infection; subsequent research has found the combination of Valtrex in conjunction with Valproic acid to be beneficial in treating viral infections. Brand names for valproic acid include Depakote, Depakene,Valproate Vitamin neurotoxicity. Snodgrass SR. Mol Neurobiol. 1992 Spring;6(1):41-73. • Folates and thiamine cause seizures and excitation when administered in high dosage directly into the brain or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of experimental animals Alteration of embryonic folate metabolism by valproic acid during organogenesis: implications for mechanism of teratogenesis C Wegner and H Nau Neurology, Vol 42, Issue 4 17-24, Copyright © 1992 by American Academy of Neurology Institute of Toxicology and Embryopharmacology, Free University Berlin, Germany. • Valproic acid may inhibit glutamate formyltransferase, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of THF to the oxidized forms 5-formyl and 10-formyl THF • These changes could be explained by VPA- mediated inhibition of transfer of the formyl group via glutamate formyltransferase Supplementation • • • • • • • • • • Step 1 Folipro Intrinsic B12 Nucleotides B complex TMG P5P Uridine Support SAMe Benfotiamine Molybdenum(sulfite to sulfate) • Magnesium will help protect against aluminum effects on cellular respiration • Malic acid • EDTA Step 2 for Metals T h e Aluminum (ug/g Creatinine) E200 f f150 e c t100 180 120 o 50 f 35 20 19 M e t a l R N 0 0 6/18/03 6/17/03 0 7/10/03 7/3/03 0 7/24/03 7/17/03 Safe Range: 60 8/5/03 8/1/03 Mercury (ug/g Creatinine) 24 25 20 15 15 12 10 9.8 10 6.4 6.6 6.5 5.4 5 7.1 5.3 3.9 2.3 2.8 2.3 1.8 0 0 0 7/10/03 6/17/03 8/15/03 8/1/03 10/1/03 9/3/03 Safe Range: 5 Lead (ug/g Creatinine) 20 18 15 13 10 7.4 6.6 5.7 5 3.6 3.3 2.3 1.7 0.2 0 0 0 0.8 0.8 0.4 0.2 9/7/03 8/19/03 0.6 0 0 0 0 0 10/18/03 9/28/03 0 0 11/14/03 11/3/03 1 0.6 0 0 0 0 0 12/15/03 11/28/03 0 0 0 1/18/04 1/3/04 Safe Range: 5 0 0 0 0 0 3/5/04 2/7/04 1 1.1 1 0.4 0 6/1/04 4/22/04 8/4/04 0 Tungsten (ug/g Creatinine) 12 12 10 8.8 8 6.1 6 5.7 5.4 4 2 1.6 1 0.5 0 0.8 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.2 0 9/7/03 8/19/03 0.8 0.3 0 10/18/03 9/28/03 1.4 0.8 11/14/03 11/3/03 0.6 0 0 0.3 0 12/15/03 11/28/03 Safe Range: 1.5 0.3 0.3 0 1/18/04 1/3/04 0.3 0 0 Prevalence of Myocarditis and Skeletal Muscle Injury During Acute Viral Infection in Adults JAMA April 2003 • Patients with serologically confirmed acute influenza viral infection • Creatinine levels were elevated Creatinine in Urine Creatinine 200 200 170 170 150 100 92 90 83 76 66 50 45 61 53 50 57 40 18 35 30 26 24 25 22 0 3/30/044/9/044/17/046/17/046/21/047/20/048/25/049/8/049/23/0410/7/04 3/23/044/5/044/12/046/1/046/20/047/12/048/4/048/30/049/13/049/29/04 10/12/04 Mercury Excretion in Urine Mercury (ug/g Creatinine) 6 5.9 5 4 3 2.5 2.7 2.2 2 1.9 1.5 1.5 1 0 0.70.7 0.3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3/30/044/9/044/17/046/17/046/21/047/20/048/25/049/8/049/23/0410/7/04 3/23/044/5/044/12/046/1/046/20/047/12/048/4/048/30/049/13/049/29/04 10/12/04 Step 3 and Beyond