BJ

5 avril, 2006 14:02

Lykissa and Maharaj (2006)

Lykissa and Maharaj (2006)

Note new research published on-line April 1, 2006 by Analytical Chemistry, a peer-reviewed chemistry journal. Although not available in the published journal until May 1st, 2006, the research titled "Total Platinum Concentration and Platinum Oxidation States in Body Fluids, Tissue, and Explants from Women Exposed to Silicone and Saline Breast Implants by IC-ICP-MS" may be read on-line (see atachment).

A summary of the research is provided by Chemical Associated Neurological Disorders (CANDO) as follows:

SUMMARY

Women exposed to silicone breast implants have platinum levels that exceed that of the general population, and the oxidation states of the platinum indicate that the exposure may be toxic.

Ion chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (IC-ICP-MS) was used to determine the total platinum concentration and platinum oxidation states in samples from women exposed to silicone and saline breast implants. Samples included: whole blood, urine, hair, nails, sweat, brain tissue, breast milk, and explants.

Platinum in nine explanted silicone gel breast implants were mainly in the +2, +4, and +6 oxidation states. Platinum in seven whole blood and six breast milk samples from women implanted with silicone breast implants occurred mainly in the +2 and +4 oxidation states. In contrast, the fluid from the two saline breast explants did not contain detectable levels of platinum.

This peer-reviewed published study is the first to document the various platinum oxidation states in samples from women exposed to silicone breast implants. Positive oxidation states indicate risk.

INTRODUCTION

A complex platinum salt, hexachloroplatinate, has been used in silicone gel-filled breast implants as A catalyst in both the gel and envelope. Platinum salt exposure has been associated with a range of problems, from positive skin-patch tests (indicating an allergic reaction) and contact dermatitis, to more serious problems such as asthma, immunogenicity, inhibitory effects on brain enzymes (brain damage), neurotoxicity (nerve damage), mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and allergic anaphylactic reactions.

Recent studies have shown that there are significant amount of platinum in silicone breast implant gel and envelopes. Platinum has been shown to leak out and accumulate in the scar tissue and fat tissue of women exposed to silicone breast implants.

Platinum in compounds that occur in oxidation states other than zero (0) may be harmful to human health. In the compound hexachloroplatinate, the oxidation state of platinum is +4. No previous study ever published actually analyzed a breast implant or explant for the various forms of platinum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The average amount of time the implants were in the women's bodies was approximately fourteen years. The average number of years the women were explanted before the analyses were conducted was six years.

The surgically explanted silicone implants in the study were all 2nd generation implants, from the 1970's through 1988, except for one more recent 3rd generation "low-bleed" silicone gel breast explant.

Questionnaires were completed to provide information regarding whether the women had been treated with platinum-based chemotherapy drugs; had worked in occupational settings where exposure to platinum may have occurred; or had dental amalgams that contained platinum.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The average platinum concentration in samples from women exposed to silicone breast implants was found to be the following when compared to samples from individuals with no known platinum exposure:

Hair samples 14 times higher

Nail samples 3 times higher

Breast Milk 100 times higher

Urine 60 - 1700 times higher

Our results indicate that platinum migrates from silicone implants via the lymphatic and blood systems into the urine, sweat, and breast milk, with deposits and accumulation in hair and nails. Platinum, including ionized forms of platinum, may persist years after the silicone gel breast implants have been removed. Like lead, platinum may accumulate in bone tissue.

The women did not have other platinum exposures that could explain the results.

All silicone envelopes used in silicone, saline, and in testicular implants catalyzed with ionized platinum would be expected to degrade and depolymerize as they age.

CONCLUSION

Silicone gel breast implants are the most likely source of the elevated total platinum levels, and the reactive forms of platinum in women exposed to these devices.

Chemically Associated Neurological Disorders (CANDO)

P.O. Box 682633

Houston, Texas 77268-2633

281/444-0662