Chronic barium intoxication disrupts sulphated proteoglycan synthesis: a
hypothesis for the origins of multiple sclerosis.
High Barn Farm, Elworthy, Taunton, Somerset TA43PX, UK.
tsepurdey@aol.com
High level contamination by natural and industrial sources
of the alkali earth metal, barium (Ba) has been identified in the
ecosystems/workplaces that are associated with high incidence clustering of
multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neurodegenerative diseases such as the
transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) and amyotrophic lateral
sclerosis (ALS). Analyses of ecosystems supporting the most renowned MS
clusters in Saskatchewan, Sardinia, Massachusetts, Colorado, Guam, NE Scotland
demonstrated consistently elevated levels of Ba in soils (mean: 1428 ppm) and
vegetation (mean: 74 ppm) in relation to mean levels of 345 and 19 ppm
recorded in MS-free regions adjoining. The high levels of Ba stemmed from
local quarrying for Ba ores and/or use of Ba in
paper/foundry/welding/textile/oil and gas well related industries, as well as
from the use of Ba as an atmospheric aerosol spray for enhancing/refracting
the signalling of radio/radar waves along military jet flight paths, missile
test ranges, etc. It is proposed that chronic contamination of the biosystem
with the reactive types of Ba salts can initiate the pathogenesis of MS; due
to the conjugation of Ba with free sulphate, which subsequently deprives the
endogenous sulphated proteoglycan molecules (heparan sulfates) of their
sulphate co partner, thereby disrupting synthesis of S-proteoglycans and their
crucial role in the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling which induces
oligodendrocyte progenitors to maintain the growth and structural integrity of
the myelin sheath. Loss of S-proteoglycan activity explains other key facets
of MS pathogenesis; such as the aggregation of platelets and the proliferation
of superoxide generated oxidative stress. Ba intoxications disturb the
sodium-potassium ion pump--another key feature of the MS profile. The
co-clustering of various neurodegenerative diseases in these Ba-contaminated
ecosystems suggests that the pathogenesis of all of these diseases could pivot
upon a common disruption of the sulphated proteoglycan-growth factor mediated
signalling systems. Individual genetics dictates which specific disease
emerges at the end of the day.
PMID: 15082100 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]