The Role of "Desert-Dust" Metals in the Pathobiology of Gulf War Illness
Abstract
After the First Persian Gulf War (1990-1991), many U.S. personnel reported suffering from a chronic multi-symptom disease eventually called Gulf War Illness. We hypothesized that exposures to pyridostigmine bromide, permethrin, and/or DEET adversely affected the permeability of the blood-brain barrier allowing metals solubilized from inhaled desert dust particles to enter the brain. As a consequence, normal metal homeostasis could be disrupted resulting in extensive oxidative damage and neurological dysfunction. In this project an invitro blood-brain barrier model co-exposed to DEET, permethrin, or pyridostigmine bromide with desert dust-associated metals was assessed for structural and functional integrity, as well as damage markers. While most treatments had minimal effects, the combination of DEET, permethrin, or pyridostigmine bromide with depleted uranium increased nitric oxide production. In addition, various treatments also affected cytokine production in this model.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1133051
Entities
People
- John F. Kalinich
Organizations
- Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine