title: Association of biogenic silica with disease.
abstract: Certain plants contain structures consisting of biogenic silica. This form of silica has been implicated as a causative agent in the high esophageal cancer areas of southern Africa, northeast Iran, and northern China. A spicule shape of biogenic silica is known to act as a tumor promoter in the mouse skin model system. The observation that fine biogenic silica fibers are found in leaves of sugarcane may pose a hazard for cane workers; also, the discovery that bracken contains silica fibers could have implications for browsing cattle. This paper reviews and discusses the involvement of biogenic silica in disease.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001315:Australia; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D002681:China; D002523:Edible Grain / Q000032:analysis; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D005260:Female; D005506:Food Contamination; D006801:Humans; D007414:Intestinal Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary; D007492:Iran; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000139:chemically induced; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D010944:Plants / Q000032:analysis*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013019:South Africa; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D012822:Silicon Dioxide