Soapbox Rant Warning: I am beyond aggravated at the medical world which dismisses the reality of mold toxicity and maligns any provider who attempts to care for those outcast individuals suffering from mold toxicity. Without the details of recent experience, I will just say that the system is rigged against you (if you have mold toxicity or care for those with this disabling condition). Therefore, we work outside the “System” to release these outcasts from the accusation that they’re just faking it or that it’s all in their heads. Our patients are not faking their broken lives. Besides the direct care of these hurting souls, I also offer article summaries like this one so you can know that you are not crazy. Mold toxins are real. Their mechanisms of harm are at least partially understand even if you regular doctor scoffs.
Mycotoxins come in more flavors than you can find at an ice cream store- which can make it impossible to generalize as we describe what they do exactly to someone’s body systems. We can understand better by focusing on individual toxins or toxin families before returning to the whole group of mycotoxins. In this focus article, scientists considered certain members of a class of mycotoxins called trichothecenes, limiting their study to T-2 and its related compounds. Their reading had revealed an extensive body of research regarding the effects of T-2 toxin on the nervous system and mitochondrial function. In the article they synthesize this research into a story of clear mechanisms by which this mycotoxin contribute to neurotoxic symptoms and pathological changes in animals exposed to it.
For those desiring a deep dive, the article is linked below, but a bullet point list with links to further information sources should be enough to bolster your confidence that the mainstream medical system is missing the large, pink elephant in the room.
Mechanisms and Effecst of T-2 and Related Compounds on Animal Health
- T-2 Toxin is lipophilic or fat-soluble, meaning it can be rapidly absorbed through various body surfaces such as gut mucosa, skin, and lung mucosa. De Ruyck et al. 2015
- In mouse studies, multiple neurologic symptoms (muscle weakness and ataxia included) aros from exposure to T-2 toxin Fairhurst et al. 1987; Sheng et al. 2019
- Studies demonstrate that T-2 toxin can cross the blood brain barrier where it can then build up in the brain tissue. Ravindran et al. 2011; Weidner et al. 2013a, b; Chaudhary and Rao 2010; Guo et al. 2018
- Studies show that oxidative stress damage plays a role in the neurotoxicity of T-2 toxicity. Chaudhary and Rao 2010; Liu et al. 2017a; Zhang et al. 2018b
- Human T-2 toxicity reports from a Russian incident of moldy grain consumption documents symptoms of vertigo, mucous membrane hyperaemia, oesophageal pain, laryngitis, asphyxiation and gastroenteritis (Lewis et al. 2005).
- T-2 toxin has been found to interact with the 60S subunit of the ribosomes in our cells which are responsible for producing proteins in our cells s (Bertero et al. 2018; Hiller et al. 2011).
- Besides clear oxidative stress effects, multiple other oxidative stress repair pathways are influenced by this toxin and are documented in this article and its citations. (Liu et al. 2017a; Wang et al. 2018a; Wu et al. 2014a; Zhang et al. 2018b)
- Multiple studies in animal and human cells lines demonstrate oxidative stress damage, cell death, or changes in antioxidant systems when exposed to T-2 toxin. (Gaige et al. 2014; Agrawal et al. 2015; Zhang et al. 2018b; Chaudhary and Rao 2010)
- By their review all cell lines and tissues demonstrated decreases in glutathione production when exposed to T-2 toxin. (Bouaziz et al. 2006; Chaudhary and Rao 2010a; Fairhurst et al. 1987; Fatima et al. 2018; Guo et al. 2018; Liu et al. 2017a; Mackei et al. 2018; Moosavi et al. 2016; Nakajima et al. 2019; Pelyhe et al. 2016; Sun et al. 2012; Wang et al. 2018a; Wu et al. 2011a, 2013, 2014a; Yang et al. 2016; Zhang et al. 2018b)
- Such decreases in glutathione levels have been found to negatively effect dopaminergic neurons (Morris et al. 2014; Tye et al. 2013) and this is suspected to contribute to depression symptoms seen in exposed animals and humans (Chaudhary and Rao 2010; Guo et al. 2018; Ratnaseelan et al. 2018)
- T-2 toxin has been found to lower the expression of the key antioxidant pathway gene Nrf2 in nerve cell (Zhang et al. 2018b; Chaudhary and Rao 2010)
- T-2 toxin has been shows to affect the serotonin pathways (Weekley et al. 1989; Wang et al. 1993; Sheng et al. 2019)
- Prior studies demonastrate that dysfunction of mitochondria play a role in the oxidative stress and cell death triggered by T-2 intoxication (Bouaziz et al. 2009; Chaudhari et al. 2009; Liu et al. 2014a; Mu et al. 2013; V et al. 2017; Wu et al. 2014a).
- A known cell-death pathway has been implicated in neurotoxicity caused by T-2 toxins y (Guo et al. 2018; Zhang et al. 2018b)
- Pathologic changes in mitochondria have been seen experimentally in rat brain cells (Guo et al. 2018; Fatima et al. 2018)
- Decreased protein production has been seen after T2 toxin exposure (Pace et al. 1988; Liu et al. 2014a).
- A study has shown that several enzymes in the Krebs cycle which converts food into energy in the mitochondria are impaired by T-2 toxin exposure (Wan et al. 2015).
- Multiple other studies in the paper describe various mechanisms of disruption of mitochondrial function and maintenance.
- Multiple studies link T-2 intoxication with changes in apoptosis (cell death) and autophagy (cell turnover).
These studies all make clear that T-2 toxin from mold can cause significant neurotoxicity in various animals including humans. Thankfully, the authors also mention several potential therapies to counteract the adverse effects of T-2 toxin on our nervous systems. They include: “NAC, α-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, quercetin, vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, L-carnitine, selenium and some plant-based supplements” (Atroshi et al. 1997; Capcarova et al. 2015; Dvorska et al. 2007; Moosavi et al. 2016; Rizzo et al. 1994; Salimian et al. 2014). I agree with the authors that a lot more research is needed on both the mechanisms of the toxins and the potential therapies to counteract them.
Until that research if forthcoming, we can ask whether we should wait until the FDA acknowledges the pink elephant of mold toxicity and approves therapies for it OR if we should use the safe therapies we have already on hand to alleviate the suffering of those asking for our help. Restoring healthier, more abundant lives requires inching forward and having compassion on those who have been cast out from the conventional system to fend for themselves. We want to be a Sanctuary where they find restoration regardless of what the mainstream fusses about. [End of rant.]
Source Article:
Dai, C., Xiao, X., Sun, F., Zhang, Y., Hoyer, D., Shen, J., . . . Velkov, T. (2019). T-2 toxin neurotoxicity: Role of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. Archives of Toxicology.Archiv Für Toxikologie, 93(11), 3041-3056. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-019-02577-5
For other references see original
Medical Disclaimer:
This article is intended for educational purposes only. I have attempted to confirm the accuracy of these statements but with time, some currently true statements may be proven incorrect. Before making any medical decisions, you should consult your medical provider. I am not a lawyer nor am I a remediator and cannot provide definitive answers in either category. Discuss legal and remediation decisions with appropriate professionals. Sanctuary is not responsible for decisions you make based on this article.
Sanctuary Functional Medicine, under the direction of Dr Eric Potter, IFMCP MD, provides functional medicine services to Nashville, Middle Tennessee and beyond. We frequently treat patients from Kentucky, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Ohio, Indiana, and more... offering the hope of healthier more abundant lives to those with chronic illness.
