Manganese Research Health Project (MHRP)
Abstract
Questions persists regarding a possible association between neurological effects in welders and the presence of manganese in welding fume. Researchers have suggested that welding is not only a high-risk occupation for the development of manganism, but it may also be a risk factor for or can accelerate the onset of idiopathic Parkinsons disease. However, toxicology studies investigating this issue are lacking. The objective was to examine the potential neurotoxic effect of manganese in rats afterpulmonary exposure to different welding fumes. Manganese was found to translocate from the lungs via the circulation to dopaminergic brain areas. Consistent with the observed accumulation of manganese in the brain, welding fumes differentially elicited neuroinflammatory responses in the olfactory bulb, striatum, and midbrain and altered the expression of Parkin (Park2), Uchl (Park5) and Dj1 (Park7) proteins in dopaminergic brain areas. As mutations in PARK genes have been linked to early-onset PD in humans, and because welding is implicated as a risk factor for Parkinsonism, PARK genes may play a critical role in WF-mediated dopaminergic dysfunction. Whether these molecular alterations culminated in neurobehavioral and neuropathological deficits reminiscent of PD remains to be ascertained.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- AD1060393
Entities
People
- Michael Aschner
Organizations
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center