Neurology -- Correspondence for Jankovic, 64 (12) 2021-2028

Correspondence published:

Searching for a relationship between manganese and welding and Parkinson’s disease: Steven R Brenner (25 August 2005)

Searching for a relationship between manganese and welding and Parkinson’s disease 25 August 2005

Steven R Brenner,
Neurology Departments of St. Louis Univ. and St. Louis VA Medical Center
Dept. Neurology, Saint Louis VA Medical Center, 915 North Grand, St. Louis, MO 63104
Send Correspondence to journal:
Re: Searching for a relationship between manganese and welding and Parkinson’s disease

SBren20979{at}aol.com Steven R Brenner

I read the article by Jankovic with interest, and noted the emphasis on manganese (Mn) toxicity and a possible association with PD. [1]
Besides Mn and other metals in the welding fume, carbon monoxide (CO) may also be present, especially in Carbon Dioxide arc welding. Concentrations of CO have been noted to exceed occupational exposure limits in laboratory experimental welding. [2] CO exposure is relatively common in home and industry, if there is inadequate ventilation and incomplete combustion, from sources such as vehicles, machinery, home heating and industrial processes.
Acute CO poisoning causes motor deficits which resemble PD. [3] CO exposure causes an increase in extracellular dopamine (DA) levels, and suppresses DA metabolism. [3] Furthermore, CO inhibits the mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) at cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV). [4]
The MRC complexes I and IV activity are decreased more than 60% in ideopathic PD. [5] The MRC appears to be involved in development of ideopathic PD. A number of different toxins or environmental factors probably inhibit the MRC and lead to development of PD, however CO is relatively common in the environment wherever there is poor ventilation with incomplete combustion, and chronic exposure could have potential for development of PD.
References
1. J Jankovic. Searching for a relationship between manganese and welding in Parkinson's disease. Neurology. 2005; 64: 2021-2028.
2. H Saito, J Ojima, M Takaya et al. Laboratory measurement of hazardous fumes and gases at a point corresonding to breathing zone of welder during a CO2 arc welding. Ind Health. 2000; 38: 69-78.
3. S Hara, T Mukai, Kurosaki et al. Modification of the striatal dopaminergic neuron system by carbon monoxide exposure in free-moving rats, as determined by in vivo brain microdialysis. Arch Toxicol. 2002; 76: 596-605.
4. J Alonso, F Cardellach, S Lopoez et al. Carbon monoxide specifically inhibites cytochrome c oxidase of human mitochondrial respiratory chain. Pharmacol Toxicol. 2003; 93: 142-146.
5. M Muftuoglu, B Elibol, O Dalmizrak et al. Mitochondrial complex I and IV activities in leukocytes from patients with parkin mutations. Mov Disord. 2004; 19:544-548.
The author had the opportunity to respond to this Correspondence but declined.