ALS-like skin changes in mice on a chronic low-Ca/Mg high-Al diet.

Abstract

Epidemiologic studies of endemic foci of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have shown low concentrations of Ca/Mg and high concentrations of Al/Mn in the drinking water and garden soil, which may play a causative role in the pathogenesis of endemic ALS. We studied the effects of chronic exposure to a low-Ca/Mg high-Al maltol diet on the skin of experimental animals. In ALS patients, atrophy of the epidermis, edematous changes with separated collagen fibrils and an accumulation of amorphous materials between collagen bundles were regarded as pathognomonic skin changes of ALS. Mice chronically fed a low-Ca/Mg high-Al maltol diet showed neuronal degeneration and loss in the spinal cords and cerebral cortices, as well as skin changes including atrophy, separation of collagen fibrils and accumulation of amorphous materials, similar to the skin changes characteristic of ALS. This is the first report of skin changes in animal models similar to those of ALS. We speculate that environmental factors such as chronic low-Ca/Mg high-Al condition play some causative role in the pathogenesis of Kii-ALS.

• Authors: Tameko Kihira, Sohei Yoshida, Tomoyoshi Kondo, Yoshiro Yase, Seiitsu Ono
• Journal: Journal of the neurological sciences (J Neurol Sci) Vol. 219 Issue 1-2 Pg. 7-14 (Apr 15 2004) ISSN: 0022-510X [Print] Netherlands
• PMID: 15050431 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Calcium, Dietary
• Aluminum
• Magnesium

Topics

• Aluminum (pharmacology)
• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (diet therapy, etiology, pathology)
• Animals
• Calcium, Dietary (pharmacology)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Magnesium (pharmacology)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred ICR
• Motor Neurons (pathology)
• Nerve Degeneration (diet therapy, etiology, pathology)
• Skin Diseases (diet therapy, pathology)