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Saliva analysis shows biomarkers for uranium toxicity

KUWAIT CITY, July 9, (Agencies): Uranium may be linked with the high percentage of obesity and diabetes cases in Kuwait, says a report written by Darwin Malicdem and published on www.medicaldaily.com Tuesday.

According to the report, a new study published in the journal, “Frontiers in Edocrinology,” showed that uranium might be the cause of obesity and diabetes in the country. Researchers collected saliva samples from 94 Kuwaiti children aged 10 years between 2012 and 2014; and analyzed their diet, salivary bacteria, salivary protein biomarkers and salivary metabolites.

Before the study, these children had no health conditions; but two years after taking samples, some of them showed signs of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Results of the analysis of their saliva revealed that those who became obese had high levels of biomarker for uranium toxicity called N1-Methyl-2-pyridone- 5-carboxamide (2PY).

Lead researcher and professor at Forsyth Institute in Massachusetts Max Goodson disclosed: “The implication is that these children may be suffering from uranium toxicity, which may be contributing to the high rates of obesity and diabetes in Kuwait.” It can be recalled that from 1990 to 1991, the country witnessed several airstrikes from the USA, which delivered about 300 tons of uraniumcontaining munitions targeting the central region.

Goodson said the highest number of obesity cases and uranium toxicity was recorded in the central region at the time they conducted the study. He clarified that his team studied only the biomarker and not directly the uranium.