Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Tnf-a. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Tnf-a. Sort by date Show all posts

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Why Endotoxin Can Increase Pain,Chemical and Mold Sensitivity and Causes Sickness Behavior!

Toll-like receptors: are a class of proteins that play a key role in the innate immune system. (Wipedia)

Background: Binding to toll-like receptors may initiate inflammatory responses including the production of chemokines. They mainly signal through NF-kappaB and increase transcription of inflammatory proteins Il-1b, Tnf-a, CCL2 (MCP-1) etc. (Devaraj) These are receptors that are highly expressed and are considered to be a link between diet and metabolism and are implicated as important factors in a number of health conditions including lupus, atherosclerosis and diabetes. (Dasu) We have noted in other blogs that they may play an important role in conditions that are most often considered "environmental illnesses" including chronic fatigue syndrome and/or contribute to symptoms of chemical sensitivity. To put it simply, toll-like receptors are considered signal transducers that initiate inflammatory processes and two common ligands are LPS endotoxin (which has been implicated in CFS) and saturated fatty acids. The ligands that bind TLR contain a "molecular pattern" the TLR recognizes and may be present in microbial and non-microbial agents or may be responsive to signals generated at the site of inflammation or from endogenously-produced proteins like heat shock proteins. Thus, their activites become a concern when ever pathogenic exposure or inflammation may be present.

The distribution of the toll-like receptors is different in different tissues but include epithelia and endothelia in the intestinal tract, the respiratory tract, the blood-brain barrier, etc. It is now believed that there is a commensal relationship that exists between the gut microbiota and TLR to maintain gut integrity (Hopkins) and may involve epigenetic influences and down-regulation of TLR gene transcription. (Takahashi)    It has been determined that TLR2 and TLR4 bind to gram positive and negative bacteria respectively. However, the production of one type of TL receptor may induce the induction of the other. Devaraj demonstrated that type-1 diabetes and increased levels of IL-1b and TNF-a is correlated with expression of TLR and also endotoxin "contribute to the inflammatory burden by activating TLR receptors" and suggests their instrumental in diabetes pathology. In addition, it has also been determined that high glucose levels can stimulate the expression of these receptors in monocytes. While toll-like cells are involved in cytokine production and cell activation, the inflammatory responses initiated by activation of receptors may last long after the initial stimulus is gone or may potentiate the inflammatory responses of other insults. It may seem beneficial to blunt the responses of TLR, but it may be more harmful by making the organism more susceptible to infection.(Hopkins) On the other hand, aberrant signaling from TLR can lead to autoimmune-type conditions as we noted above.

Other studies demonstrate that the expression of TLR are widespread are can activate microglia and astocytes and play a role in neuroinflammatory responses. Microglia are sensory-type cells that are the main source of inflammatory mediators in the nervous system.  Some studies show that TLR activation of microglia leads to an increase in NO, superoxide and other cytokines and that TLR-deficient microglia demonstrated a significant reduction in several types of inflammatory responses. Obata confirmed TLR3 has an important role in the development of tactile allodynia after nerve injury and blocking these receptors may provide effective treatment for neuropathic pain which has been linked to fibromyalgia. Recent findings are suggestive of the notion that fibromyalgia is a "disorder of central processing with neuroregulation/
transmission dysfunction" (NFA) and TLR4 may initiate an inflammatory profile through NF-kappaB at least in a subset of fibromyalgia patients. In one model of neuropathic pain, tactile allodynia was "abrogated" in CCR2 mice which is the receptor for CCL2 (MCP-1), the inflammatory cytokines activated by NF-kappaB and has been suggested as a possible marker for fibromyalgia. It also plays a very important role in the development of neuroinflammation via the TNF-a/CCL2/CCR2 pathway. From this, it has been suggested that activation of immune cells and microglia peripherally and in neurons may contribute to inflammatory and neuropathic pain states and (Abbadie) importantly, it is now understood that TLR agonists modulates CCR2 expression and CCL2 responsiveness. (Souto, Parker) Jo et al explains peripheral injuries that lead to neuropathic states causes pathology not only in the damaged nerves but also causes changes in the central processing of sensory information and glial activation may facilitate "noxious signal transduction" even after the initial injury has healed. Therefore, TLR may not only initiate neuropathic pain but also maintain it.  Experts believe nociceptive behavior may influence symptoms of MCS (Pall) and it has been demonstrated pain caused by bacterial infection may be generated through activation of nociceptors via the TLR in neurons. (Wabachi) In addition, TLR responses play a role in viral and parasitic infections, multiple sclerosis, exacerbate injury in ischemia (Kielian) and chronic activation of TLR is associated with anxiety, avoidance and sickness behavior (Hudson) and increased sensitivity to other toxicants (Pestka).

Other reports show in epithelial cells, TLR mediate immune cells production from exposure to particulate matter and contribute to airway hypersensitivity from exposure to ozone. (Williams) More recently, it has been shown that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which plays a role in the detoxification of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons, negatively regulates TLR signaling. Animals that are deficient in the AhR exhibit exaggerated inflammatory responses including significant elevations in TNF-a and IL-6 and are highly susceptible to septic shock. (Ogawa, Kimura) We have expressed the belief that the abnormal functioning of the AhR may contribute to environmental illnesses including multiple chemical sensitivity because of its role in detoxification and its relationship to the antioxidant system regulator Nrf2. The Nrf2 protects neurons and other cells against oxidative and environmental insults in primary and secondary injury. TLR activates NF-kappaB through the universale adaptor protein MyD88 and it has been shown that Nrf2 has a "global influence" on MyD88-dependant and independant signaling. Deficiency of Nrf2 dysregulated expression of genes that encode molecular components of innate immunity (e.g., peptidoglycan-recognition proteins, proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules and receptors." (Thimmulappa)

Study Highlight: Pestka provides evidence that the preexposure of a TLR agonist such as LPS endotoxin increases the inflammatory response of DON, a mycotoxin. This response which included production of IL-1b, Il-6, and TNF-a was at levels higher than either produced alone. During the study, preexposure to other TLR agonists, also increased the pro-inflammatory responses of DON in a similar manner as LPS. In addition, similar heightened responses occured from LPS preexposure of TLR and subsequent effects of microbial and non-microbial "agents" including satratoxin, Shiga toxin, zearalenone and toxicants such as nickel chloride, triphenyltin, dinitrochlorobenzene (a known irritant) and dioxin. It has been concluded from this study that prior exposure to TLR agonists (ie endotoxin, saturated fat and others) "might render macrophages highly sensitive to subsequent induction of proinflammatory gene expression by xenobiotics with diverse mechanisms of action." (Pestka)

Notes:
  • An important source of bacterial and endotoxin contamination is from our drinking water. Find out more about the importance of healthy water with a clip from the Dr. Oz Show. Other main sources include from the air we breath.
  • IRAK-1 is necessary for LPS-mediated suppression of PPARalpha and PGC-1alpha, nuclear factors essential for the expression of anti-oxidative enzymes such as GPX3 and catalase (Maitra) "ROS trafficking(NADPH oxidase) mediates LPS/TLR signals in neutraphils and downstream targets including IRAK-1. Deficiency of Nrf2 predisposes neutraphils to greater responsiveness to LPS which is mediated by increased ROS generation. (Thimmulappa)
Reference Resource:

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Original document and citations can be accessed here.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Sickness Syndrome, CFS, Fibromyalgia, IL-10 and HO-1



A study that was published last year suggested that MCP-1/CCL2/CCr2 and eotaxin may be good biomarkers for fibromyalgia and identify a genetic component to the condition. (Zhang) Since then, researchers have noted that both chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia may be classified as inflammatory conditions when the exact cause of symptoms is not known. Interestingly, MCP-1 can cause inflammatory responses and therefore has the potential of contributing to sickness behavior syndrome which is a condition that results in behaviors often associated with people that are ill. Sickness behavior does not seem exclusive of human beings because similar behaviors have been observed in other animals. Maes concludes that oxidative and nitrosative stress contribute to the development of chronic fatigue which result in an increase inflammation, NF-kappaB, COX2, iNOS and damage to lipids and proteins. He further explains that triggers include strenuous exercise, LPS from gram negative bacteria, viruses and pshycological or physical stress. A few of the symtoms associated with sickness syndrome include fatigue, malaise, appetite changes, anxiety, depression, weight changes, sleep alterations and numerous others. (Maes) Previous studies show it can be stimulated by a variety of conditions including IGF-1, Tnf-a and Il-1b the latter two are produced as part of the stress response and modulated by the Nrf2 system that also stimulates induction of antioxidants. (Dantzer) Nrf2 has been shown to modulate metabolic homeostasis in adipocytes and is now linked with obesity. Nrf2 is responsible for detoxification of electrophiles and xenobiotics and the function of it can be altered by any number of environmental factors including but not limited to metals, nutrition, and other protein interactions such as the AhR which also may play a very important role in chemical sensitivity.

The severity of sickness syndrome has been demonstrated to be determined on the prevalence of the anti-inflammatory immune complex IL-10. When it is present the duration of sickness syndrome is less and the effects like memory and learning impairment are also decreased. (Richwine) Il-10 has been shown to reduce the levels of IFN-gamma and Tnf-a- induced production of superoxide and nadph oxidase 1 (NOX1) which would suggest prevention of ROS generation from it. (Kamizota) Il-10 also stimulates the induction of HO-1 and therefore may activate the Nrf2 pathway but HO-1 can act independantly. Inhibition of HO-1 significantly reduces the protective effects of Il-10 on Tnf-a by LPS. Lee et al shows that this relationship also involves carbon monoxide, a gasoneurotransmitter, on the protective effects of Il-10. Therefore this further suggests a possible involvement of Nrf2 considering that Nrf2 modulates the effects of carbon monoxide. (Lee) De Wilde demonstrated that production of Il-10 is completely abolished with inhibition of HO-1.

Nrf2 is now associated with protective effects in adipocytes. Eotaxin is a chemokine that is elevated in obesity because adipose tissue seems to be the predominant source of it. It is also an important inhibitor of MCP-1 and is a common factor in allergic reactions. Its presence at the site of allergic inflammation suggests coordinated cellular responses of allergic inflammation where both MCP-1 and eotaxin are present. (Olgilvie) Tnf-a is overexpressed in obesity (Uysal) and associated with insulin resistance and inhibition of the expression of numerous genes including PPAR-gamma and adiponectin. It is also an important inducer for prolonging the half-life of eotaxin.
Summary:

  • Maes has suggested that a pathway to chronic fatigue syndrome is by LPS endotoxin and therefore because the production of Il-10 modulates the severity of sickness syndrome through HO-1. We can suggest that the alteration in signaling of Nrf2 could ultimately lead to CFS and sickness syndrome.
  • Nrf2 is conserved in different organisms, the homolog in C elegans is skn-1. (An)
  • Nrf2 can be ethnically derived and therefore some populations may be more susceptible to some of the triggers and have an increased risk for chronic fatigue syndrome. (Marzec, Dinos)
  • EGCG has been shown to have positive effects on chronic fatigue syndrome in a mouse model of CFS. Studies have shown that EGCG increases induction of HO-1 through Nrf2.


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Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Saturated Fats, High-fat Diets and Coconut Oil -- No, There NOT that Good For You

The Real Facts About Coconut Oil --
If You HAVE Environmental Illness It May Not Be Good For You

There seems to be some misunderstanding about fats in general and environmental illness, so I thought I would provide some information to you and as a reader, if you have environmental illness of one sort or another the information in the paragraphs below pertain specifically to you.  First of all, part of the consequences of injury from environmental illness includes insulin resistance, damage from inflammation and endothelial dysfunction (Helyar) due to bioaccumulation and the chemicals effects on cellular function and signaling. Almost everyone in the US and Canada...in cities or the country that do not grow all their own food on organic farms have some levels of toxins stored in their body and the fat cells are most often, where they are stored. Arsenescu explains how dioxins and PCB both have been shown to increase and expand adipose tissue and therefore, there is significant potential for toxic exposures that lead to obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer (Rutkowski).  Yoshanari explains that the effects of toxins are still unclear but there is mounting evidence that toxicants can change the function/secretion of adipokines produced by adipocytes and have important roles in metabolic and endocine function. His research suggests that lipophilic toxicants in adipose tissue "activate the aryl hydrocarbon and the Nrf2 which increase detoxification but also may change the genetic expression of adipokines resulting in unexpected effect on tissue." Interestingly, animals that are AhR-/- do not gain weight in response to dioxin which suggest suppression of expression. (Arsenescu) Abdollahi and Rezg demonstrates subchronic effects of malathion exposure upsets glucose homeostasis and may induce diabetes through mechanisms including increased energy needed for detoxification and a decrease in paraxonase activity. Incidentally, Rezg's findings also show  some of the harmful effects of malathion can be aleviated with the addition of the polyphenol caffeic acid which increases acetylcholinesterase.

To some extent the effects of a high-fat diet, atleast in terms of changing gene expression, parallel those of the effects of toxic injury on adipocytes and both exacerbate the impact of each other. A "sedentary lifestyle and overeating are two conditions that are associated with weight gain and obesity that lead to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a condition where insulin has less than desired effects of disposal of glucose in the muscle and the improper suppression of glucose production in the liver.  Obesity and mitochondrial dysfunction are risk factors for insulin resistance and obese individuals have smaller mitochondria and exhibit compromised mitochondrial bioenergetic capacity. Insulin resistance also occurs with age, and a related defect in fatty acid oxidation has been identified." (Liang) Several conditions can influence the development of insulin resistance and sedentary lifestyles and overeating can be characteristic patterns of behavior of those who are ill. Researchers suspect there are a number of physiological consequences of bioaccumulation including the increase of inflammatory mediators that can lead to insulin resistance, for example, through increases in Tnf-a. Certain fats including those in coconut oil, like Tnf-a, can switch off important genes necessary for cellular metabolism including PGC-1a which may lead to a gradual shut-down of the mitochondria. Environmental influences like these may also explain the development of diabetes in adulthood. (Coghlan) Exercise, sedentary lifestyles and nutritional factors have all been demonstrated to regulate PGC-1a and regulate insulin sensitivity. Inflammation in the "fat" can also leak out and cause inflammation in the muscles surrounding them increasing insulin resistance.


Below is some general information related to fat which is important because insulin resistance is a risk factor for diabetes and diabetes is associated with bioaccumulation and obesity and environmental illness. One needs to understand the concept of triglycerides in addition to fat. Corcoran explains that "intracellular triglycerides are associated with diminished insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle. This lipid accumulation is likely due to enhanced fatty acid uptake in the muscle coupled with diminished mitochondrial lipid oxidation. Excess fatty acids are esterified and either stored or metabolized to various molecules that may participate or interfere with normal cell signaling, particularly with insulin, mediated signal transduction and subsequently whole body glucose metabolism. Impaired insulin responsiveness if not managed, can lead to diabetes.  Chronic over-consumption of calories coupled with deleterious intakes of fats have been shown to increase the risk of insulin resistance." These statements become particularly important to those with chemical injury and environmental illness because inefficient mitochondria and inflammation makes the body more insulin resistant. Most of the studies already published on the health benefits of fats in coconut oil,as far as I can tell, are on healthy people that do not have chemical sensitivities and do not have uncontrolled oxidative stress and do not have diminished mitochondrial function and insulin resistance already present.



Here are some important facts and definitions to understand when it comes to fat: American Diabetes Association



The ADA recommends less than 7% of saturated fat per day for most people. The exact amounts truly depend on a variety of factors including age, physical activity etc. Most Americans get more than that and I would assume so do most Canadians.


  • Generally, saturated fat raises cholesterol. From what I can see from the research, there is not a lot of evidence of coconut doing so directly, even though the ADA says it might. Saturated fat is in meats, lard, butter etc. Palm, Palm Kernel and Coconut oil are saturated vegetable oils. The have a different molecular formula from traditional longer-chain hydrogenated fats and are made of medium chain fatty acids. Trans fat is what is called hydrogenated oils and we know them as the oils that are more solid and found in snack food that are labelled as such, stick margarine, shortening and fast food.



  • Monounsaturated fats are those that are the more healthy fats and are sometimes called seed oils and may include canola, avocado, etc.



  • Polyunsaturated fats include corn oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, etc.



  • Omega - 3 -- in fish and some plants, ie flax.



  • Cholesterol -- you body makes it and it comes from your diet.

Note: Coconut oil does not provide a good source of essential fatty acids so it is not a good replacement for sources that do. (Hargrave)

You may have noted some of the recent positive reports that have been published in the media lately not just about coconut oil but also medium chain fatty acids. The first one is they may help prevent diabetes better than long-chained fatty acids. Yes, this may be true if the results of the study are correct. However, this is not the full story. When doing health research or presenting health information to people that are already ill, one needs to dig a little deeper. Lets take a look at the fatty acid profile of coconut oil. By the way, I looked at the label on jars I bought --90% or more of the fat in coconut oil is saturated fat. It does not matter if you buy organic, virgin or extra-virgin coconut oil most of the fat in coconut oil is saturated fat. Also, in case your interested according to most of what I read there is little or no difference in virgin or extra-virgin coconut oil. It is labelled like this to be more marketably friendly so it can more favorably compared to olive oils. Virgin coconut oil is regarded as the highest quality coconut oil and is preferred for food preparation and home medicinal use. 18 members of Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) make about 85% of the coconut oil produced. (Wipedia)

The Natural Medicine Comprehensive Database has determined there is insufficient evidence that coconut oil can be used effectively to treat the flu, candida, the common cold, HIV/AIDS, preventing maternal HIV transmission, gonorrhea, candida infections, etc. and the safety for use as a medicinal is not known. George Mateljan is an expert on alternative nutrition and started one of the largest organic health food companies in this country. He has written several books about nutrition and his last book, the World's Healthiest Foodsis almost 900 pages and full of well-researched information. It was published in 2007 and even now is considered somewhat outdated because of the advances in research in the study of lipomics. If you want a good resource about nutrition and how to cook good food, it is definitely worth a gander and if you like, a purchase. This is what he writes about coconut oil. "Coconut oil is mostly saturated fat and as it turns out, not all saturated fat is bad for you. Of the saturated fat found in coconut oil, only 9% is made of long-chained fatty acid which are associated with heart disease. (This may be true but there are lots of other health conditions that can be exacerbated by fat!) Most of the fat in coconut oil is lauric acid which has a reputation of being heart-healthy. (Yes, but as you will see, may not be good for MCSers) About 30% of the medium-chain triglycerides can be taken up from the digestive tract and into the blood without metabolic work. Since coconut oil is mostly medium-chain triglycerides it can provide the same benefit. (I would expect if a person has some types of intestinal dysfunction, it could cause diarrhea or a similar malady. It might be beneficial to ask a physician about this!)

I (meaning Mr. Mateljan) have noticed that coconut oil is well promoted on the Internet with many claims for its health benefits. Mostly notably for its antiviral activity. But from the research I have seen, most of the conclusions are preliminary given there is not that much research published on the subject and that is done mostly on the individual components. But it looks pretty good for coconut oil but I (meaning he) will look at the research as it comes in." This is his opinion and again, I have to say that at the time it was published this may have been true. However, there are numerous discoveries on lipid regulation that have been made that he may not have been aware of or are newer than when the book was published and/or written. Also, I am sure he does not research with a perspective of someone with environmental illness because he is a chef, entrepreneur and a nutritionist. The statements in his book are also published on his website and as far as I can tell from what I read, what the website says and what my book says is no different. Again, the name of the book is the World's Healthiest Foods by George Mateljan.

Garvan notes a typical Western diet contains 40% saturated fat, 40% monounsaturated fat, 20% polyunsaturated fat of which most are omega-6 not omega-3. Thus high-saturated fat diets are contributory to diabetes and obesity.  In addition, because there are no essential fatty acids in coconut oil, a diet in saturated fat usually is essential fatty acid deficient in linoleic acid an omega-6 fatty acid and alpha-linolenic, an omega-3 fatty acid. (Best)

This is the FA Profile of Coconut Oil: Wipedia

Fatty Acid

Saturation

Carbons

Percent

Caproic

Saturated

6

0.5

Caprylic

Saturated

8

7.8

Capric

Saturated

10

6.7

Lauric

Saturated

12

47.5

Myristic

Saturated

14

18.1

Palmitic

Saturated

16

8.8

Stearic

Saturated

18

2.6

Arachidic

Saturated

20

0.1

Oleic

Monounsaturated

18

6.2

Linoleic

Polyunaturated

18

1.6

Coconut oil contains approximately 92.1% saturated fatty acids, 6.2% monounsaturated fatty acids, 1.6% polyunsaturated fatty acids. The above numbers are averages based on samples taken. Numbers can vary slightly depending on age of the coconut, growing conditions, and variety.


As you can see from the table above, the most of what is contained in coconut oil is lauric acid, myristic and palmitic saturated fats. First, let me draw your attention to lauric acid. The amount of lauric acid in coconut oil is 47.5% according to the chart above. 3dChem.com describes lauric acid as the main oil in palm oil and coconut oil and that it has antimicrobial properties. It also says that lauric acid is slightly irritating to mucous membranes and is used in soaps and shampoos. Sodium lauryl sulfate is the most common lauric-acid derived compound used for this purpose. Yes, SLS is used in food and several different types of food from regular table food to pharmaceuticals. Lauric acid can react with solvents like water, as well as fats, which is why SLS is used in shampoo. As most people already know many MCSers are very sensitive to SLS. Other studies have shown that it can cause sensitivities in people that take medication made with SLS. In skin, SLS has been demonstrated to inhibit lipid-metabolizing enzymes including PPAR-alpha and PPAR-gamma which if you have read my blog can already be down-regulated by Tnf-a. (Torma) Tnf-a can be produced as a consequence of the stress response and toxic injury and therefore may be quite prevalent in environmental health conditions. One of the functions of PPAR-gamma includes regulating insulin sensitivity (Chatterjee) which is mediated by adiponectin that reduces insulin resistance. Adiponectin also is down-regulated by Tnf-a and has been shown in a study to be down-regulated by the high-fat of coconut oil (Bueno). Another study shows, SLS mediates skin barrier injury after 5-weeks and makes it more sensitivity to external stress. Considering that lauric acid is an irritant and is found in SLS....one can assume that it may be the agent at least in part that causes the irritation from SLS in people who are already sensitive to different "agents". Another study shows ceramides are also increased by SLS and ceramides from mitochondrial dysfunction down-regulate Nrf2 so one may be able to make a connection with further information and research. Nrf2 can be impaired for a number of reasons including age and genetics and makes one more susceptible to oxidative stress and susceptible to aberrant inflammation. It is also down-regulated by hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and high-fat diets. Now, there is no specific research that says that lauric acid is the only thing in SLS as far as I can tell that may be an irritant, but the fact that it is in there and if a person is sensitive or thinks they may be sensitive to SLS, it might be a good idea to stay away from it. Not all MCSers are sensitive to SLS, but I am one and therefore, no matter how useful it is for cooking, I would never think about using it. I would rather be safe now than sorry later because my reactions can occur quickly or be delayed by hours or even days.

Many studies note that medium-chained fatty acid do not result in the accumulation of fat in muscle and the liver and from all accounts medium-chained fatty acids are better healthwise than long ones. But there are a few things one must consider since the American diet consists of 40% saturated fat which is 33% more than is recommended. In the literature, there seems to be some debate about the effect of long-chained fatty acids on mitochondrial function. Schrauwen says they have little effect and others say they may impair mitochondrial function by example, by opening of the transition pore that increases mitochondrial swelling causing cell death. (Wiekowski, Korge) As noted above, a recent claim was made that short-chain FA can prevent diabetes. (Medical News Today) Well, in actuality the study says it can preserve insulin action in muscle and adipose tissue. Which is great if you have healthy adipose tissue and muscle --and as we have shown people with environmental illness probably do not! In addition, it says that it does increase steatosis (fatty liver) and insulin resistance in the liver and there are alot of mitochondria in liver cells. (Turner) Many people that have been exposed to toxicants have injured livers in addition to impaired functioning of the mitochondria. Personally, I really do not want my liver fatty because it has to last a really long time...well, hopefully anyway! Most people are uneffected by fatty liver but then there are others where the condition results in elevated inflammation and scarring and at its worst, liver failure. (Mayon Clinic) If one reads that coconut oil gives an energy boost the author may be extrapolating from the fact that fats provide energy which I have to argue at least to a point. It may be true but it may not be true in people with mitochondrial disease or dysfunction. Garvan explains a benefit of medium-chain fatty acids is they are small enough to cross the membrane and supply energy to the mitochondria. That is all fine and good if the mitochondria are working well but alot of excess energy is not so good if they aren't. Mitochondrial function naturally generates free radicals and an increase in them may generate an increase in oxidative stress that may impair it further and may induce other aberrant signaling the least of which may include drastic changes in mood. There is evidence the activity of PKC is "defective" in diabetes and obesity and as a result may lead to altered glucose transport. (Corcoran) New research has implicated PKC signaling in fatty-acid induced insulin resistance and others identify PKC involvement in connection with lead poisoning and PTSD although I have yet to follow up on the specifics. Many people including those with environmental illness have stored levels of lead and other metals that are released under physiological stress conditions. Many conditions including exposures may result in a hyperglycemia response, so alterations in PKC signaling is something one must consider. You might recall a recent report showed a higher incidence of metabolic syndrome in those with PTSD. PKC signaling may offer a possible explanation and then again, maybe it doesn't.

Palmitic acid is also known as palmitate which is the salts or esters of palmitic acid. (Wipedia) It is one of the most common fatty acids in plants and animals and is number 3 on the list of fatty acids in coconut oil. It too shows no hypercholesterolemic effects from what I initially saw from the research. But that does not mean it can not in certain people or that it does...it just means I did not find it. Except and this is a big except, in the presence of trans fat which unfortunately, is still a big part of many people's diet even though many try to avoid it.   Eli Lilly produced a report that indicates that palmitate causes down-regulation of PGC-1a which is an important requirement for mitochondrial biogenesis which the end result is energy. It is safe to assume that down-regulating PGC-1a can be more detrimental to cells that already have less mitochondria that function abnormally and are insulin resistant. (Otto) eNOS can also be deficient in PGC-1a deficient cells which may increase the risk for endothelial dysfunction that has been implicated as a factor in a number of environmental illnesses.  Bonnard's studies suggest that high-fat, high-sugar diets can induce glucose intolerance after 1 month and a longer intervention with the same diet induced diabetes with altered mitochondrial biogenesis, structure and function and concludes that insulin resistance precedes mitochondrial dysfunction in diet-induced diabetes. (Bonnard)  Schrauen explains that palmitate, myristate and stearate do activate the NF-kappaB in muscle cells and since if one refers back to the chart above those three acids equals almost 30% of the saturated fat in cocnut oil. NF-kappaB may activate inflammatory processes which some called the "inflammatory cascade" and is implicated as an inflammatory marker in environmental illness. In people with lower Nrf2, NF-kappaB is a concern because Nrf2 normally is responsible for regulating it.

A just released paper indicates that palmitic acid changes brain chemistry in a "relatively short time" and tricks the brain into not realizing when one is full from eating. It does this by making the brain unresponsive to signals from leptin and insulin and therefore may cause one to overeat. (US News) This may contribute to the "expanding adipose tissue" problem and more inflammation we mentioned in the first paragraph. Now, granted palmitic acid makes up only 8% of the total fat content. If your like me, I do not want to be exposed to anything that changes my brain chemistry anymore that it has been already. At least that is, if I can avoid it. I have enough problems with sickness syndrome and brain fog! Palmitic acid has been demonstrated to cause a 75% increase in the expression of Tnf-a and a 75% decrease in Il-10 in adipocytes and Tnf-a is associated with environmental illness and causes insulin resistance and inhibits PGC-1a in vitro cardiac cells. (Palomer) (The increase in Tnf-a may explain some of the weight loss seen in some studies considering that Tnf-a causes cachexia and weight loss. Il-10 is associated with preventing lipid-induced insulin resistance, reducing the severity and length of sickness syndrome and modulating HO-1. All of these factors have been implicated as possible factors in environmental illness. (Bradley) Yamauchi shows that insulin resistance in lipoatrophy can be reversed with expression of both adiponectin and leptin but only partially by either leptin or adiponectin alone. (Yamauchi) In other words, there may be instances that if one or the other of these genes are down-regulated then they may not be able to reverse insulin resistance if already present. Generally, high-fat diets are associated with impaired working memory and hippocampal morphology in animals. (Granholm)

Two important notes about the issues above, one needs to be careful when drawing conclusions about the health aspects of a population in comparison to another. If one population does not eat like another, live like another, work and exercise like another, have the same cultural problems, the same genes, and in this case, share the same disease or health condition it may lead a person to make conclusions that are inaccurate. Most indiginous populations, especially those isolated by geography are not effected by the same environmental influences modern societies are and therefore the aspects of their environmentally-related health conditions are different. I have read what is printed on "more popular" websites and also have read cultural graduate theses and there is some contradiction of the health effects of medium chain high-fat diets in different indiginous population studies. I am not saying comparison studies are not important but the more similar the cultures are the more valuable the data. Here are are few important things one might consider in a population study on fat. Are there other factors such as there are in this case, in the diet or lifestyle that may be offsetting the negative effects of a high-fat diet? Have their bodies adapted to their circumstances over time better than other populations? A recent study has demonstrated that the anti-inflammatory effects of vitamin E may be associated with certain Tnf-a and it has been suggested that the positive benefits of coconut oil are that it is a good source of vitamin E.  Could up-regulated or down-regulated genes be altering the expression of proteins or is there a gene polymorphisms in the population being studied that makes them more adaptable to handle a negative influence? Are there comfounding factors that are increasing the health or inhibiting the effects such as more or lack of exercise or the use or no use of trans fat? As you can see from what was written above about the studies from palmitic acid in junk food and coconut oil down-regulating adiponectin, food can change the expression of genes quite quickly and researchers have no idea how long the effects can last. Is it possible these changes can become permanent on a population that has not fully "adapted" to them.  Maybe, maybe not. It would be my guess no one will say it can not happen because no one really knows for sure. There is now a whole field of research that explores how changes in gene expression is passed down to the next generation when there is no change in the DNA. Twenty years ago, researchers did not believe epigenetic influences could happen either.  

Environmental illness development is largely due to poor (I use this term loosely) diet, lifestyle, and exposures to toxic influences like chemicals and their influence on genetic expression and numerous other factors including bad decisions and choices.  In addition, scientists  are well aware toxicants can can up-regulate or down-regulate cellular receptors or interact with each differently and may lead to altered cell functions. There are thousands of chemicals now on the market that have the potential to do it. From a political and policy-making standpoint, the problem is how one goes about deciding which ones to to start testing first, who is gonna test them and what standards will be used to test them and also, who is gonna pay for it and how to deal with the economic fall-out afterward! Finally, making health decisions is in the end, a personal one and it is only that person, or mostly so, who has to live or not live with the consequences. Using coconut oil for cooking is still of benefit for one person because it does not produce the levels of aldehydes and does not turn rancid like other oils. But it may not be a wise choice for another who has a sensitivity to it or one of the chemicals in it. On the other hand, detoxification of aldehydes is often limited in environmental illness and therefore, cooking with coconut may be a better option for someone with one environmental illness compared to another person with another environmental illness.On the other hand, in many cases because of the nature of injury and inflammation in environmental illness, limiting fat should be of benefit to most. Unless of course, medical tests show a deficiency. Either way there are good lab tests available that can determine a person's fat and triglyceride status and a physician is more than qualified to discuss the topic.
 
 
 
 
 
Sonne, C., Fonfara, S., Dietz, R., Kirkegaard, M., Letcher, R., Shahmiri, S., Andersen, S., and Møller, P. (2007). Multiple cytokine and acute-phase protein gene transcription in west greenland sledge dogs (canis familiaris) dietary exposed to organic environmental pollutants. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 53(1):110-118. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/1447133
Arsenescu, V., Arsenescu, R. I., King, V., Swanson, H., and Cassis, L. A. (2008). Polychlorinated biphenyl-77 induces adipocyte differentiation and proinflammatory adipokines and promotes obesity and atherosclerosis. 116(6). http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5792101

Specific Types of Fat. American Diabetes Association. Retrieved on September 16, 2009.
Turner, N., Hariharan, K., TidAng, J., Frangioudakis, G., Beale, S. M., Wright, L. E., Zeng, X. Y., Leslie, S. J., Li, J.-Y., Kraegen, E. W., Cooney, G. J., and Ye, J.-M. (2009). Enhancement of muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity and alterations in insulin action are lipid species-dependent: Potent tissue-specific effects of medium chain fatty acids. Diabetes. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5792208
(2009). How coconut oil could help reduce the symptoms of type 2 diabetes. Medical News Today. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5793232

Coconut Oil. Wipedia. Retrieved on September 16, 2009.

Tasty Foods Send Signal to Brain to Keep Eating. US News. Retrieved on September 16, 2009.

Fatty Liver. Wipedia. Retrieved on September 16, 2009.

Keith Ott, O., Jack Dempse, Y., Richar, D., Beckman, N., and Anne Reifel Mille, R. Aicar reverses the effect of palmitate on metabolic gene expression and mitochondrial number in muscle cells and adipocytes. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5793413

Bradley, R. L., Fisher, F. F., and Maratos-Flier, E. (2008). Dietary fatty acids differentially regulate production of tnf-alpha and il-10 by murine 3t3-l1 adipocytes. Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.), 16(5):938-944. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5791246

Törmä, H., Geijer, S., Gester, T., Alpholm, K., Berne, B., and Lindberg, M. (2006). Variations in the mrna expression of inflammatory mediators, markers of differentiation and lipid-metabolizing enzymes caused by sodium lauryl sulphate in cultured human keratinocytes. Toxicology in vitro : an international journal published in association with BIBRA, 20(4):472-479. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5793447

Helyar, S. G., Patel, B., Headington, K., El-Assal, M., Chatterjee, P. K., Pacher, P., and Mabley, J. G. (2009). Pcb-induced endothelial cell dysfunction: role of poly (adp-ribose) polymerase. Biochemical pharmacology. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5041282

Chatterjee, V. K. K. (2001). Ppar gamma and human insulin resistance. In Society for Endocrinology Annual Meeting 2001. BioScientifica. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5793459

Yamauchi, T., Kamon, J., Waki, H., Terauchi, Y., Kubota, N., Hara, K., Mori, Y., Ide, T., Murakami, K., Tsuboyama-Kasaoka, N., Ezaki, O., Akanuma, Y., Gavrilova, O., Vinson, C., Reitman, M. L., Kagechika, H., Shudo, K., Yoda, M., Nakano, Y., Tobe, K., Nagai, R., Kimura, S., Tomita, M., Froguel, P., and Kadowaki, T. (2001). The fat-derived hormone adiponectin reverses insulin resistance associated with both lipoatrophy and obesity. Nature Medicine, 7(8):941-946. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5793464

Keith Ott, O., Jack Dempse, Y., Richar, D., Beckman, N., and Anne Reifel Mille, R. Aicar reverses the effect of palmitate on metabolic gene expression and mitochondrial number in muscle cells and adipocytes. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5793413

Corcoran, M. P., Lamon-Fava, S., and Fielding, R. A. (2007). Skeletal muscle lipid deposition and insulin resistance: effect of dietary fatty acids and exercise. Am J Clin Nutr, 85(3):662-677. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5791465

Törmä, H. and Berne, B. (2009). Sodium lauryl sulphate alters the mrna expression of lipid-metabolizing enzymes and ppar signalling in normal human skin in vivo. Experimental dermatology. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/4787882

Harrison, K. (2007). Lauric acid @ 3dchem.com. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5793491

Turner, N., Hariharan, K., TidAng, J., Frangioudakis, G., Beale, S. M., Wright, L. E., Zeng, X. Y., Leslie, S. J., Li, J.-Y., Kraegen, E. W., Cooney, G. J., and Ye, J.-M. (2009). Enhancement of muscle mitochondrial oxidative capacity and alterations in insulin action are lipid species-dependent: Potent tissue-specific effects of medium chain fatty acids. Diabetes. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5792208

Kim, E., Kim, S., Nam, G. W., Lee, H., Moon, S., and Chang, I. (2009). The alkaline ph-adapted skin barrier is disrupted severely by sls-induced irritation. International journal of cosmetic science, 31(4):263-269. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5117257

Mateljan, George.The World's Healthiest Foods. Essential Guide for the Healthiest Way of Eating. George Mateljan Foundation. 2007. pg 55.

Sepp, Dennis, PhD. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - The Straight Story. Retrieved on September 16, 2009.

Bueno, A. A. A., Oyama, L. M. M., de Oliveira, C., Pisani, L. P. P., Ribeiro, E. B. B., Silveira, V. L. F. L., and Oller do Nascimento, C. M. M. (2008). Effects of different fatty acids and dietary lipids on adiponectin gene expression in 3t3-l1 cells and c57bl/6j mice adipose tissue. Pflügers Archiv : European journal of physiology, 455(4):701-709. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5780642

Granholm, A.-C. C., Bimonte-Nelson, H. A., Moore, A. B., Nelson, M. E., Freeman, L. R., and Sambamurti, K. (2008). Effects of a saturated fat and high cholesterol diet on memory and hippocampal morphology in the middle-aged rat. Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD, 14(2):133-145. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5780645

Palomer, X., Alvarez-Guardia, D., Rodriguez-Calvo, R., Coll, T., Laguna, J. C., Davidson, M. M., Chan, T. O., Feldman, A. M., and Vazquez-Carrera, M. (2009). Tnf-alpha reduces pgc-1alpha expression through nf-kappab and p38 mapk leading to increased glucose oxidation in a human cardiac cell model. Cardiovasc Res, 81(4):703-712. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/4594676

Bonnard, C., Durand, A., Peyrol, S., Chanseaume, E., Chauvin, M. A., Morio, B., Vidal, H., and Rieusset, J. (2008). Mitochondrial dysfunction results from oxidative stress in the skeletal muscle of diet-induced insulin-resistant mice. The Journal of clinical investigation, 118(2):789-800. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/3152490

Rutkowski, J. M., Davis, K. E., and Scherer, P. E. (2009). Mechanisms of obesity and related pathologies: The macro- and microcirculation of adipose tissue. FEBS Journal, 9999(9999). http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5795717

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved on September 16, 2009.

Wieckowski, M. (2000). Long-chain fatty acids promote opening of the reconstituted mitochondrial permeability transition pore. FEBS Letters, 484(2):61-64. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5797786

Korge, P., Honda, H. M., and Weiss, J. N. (2003). Effects of fatty acids in isolated mitochondria: implications for ischemic injury and cardioprotection. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol, 285(1):H259-269. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5797780

Belisle, S. E., Leka, L. S., Delgado-Lista, J., Jacques, P. F., Ordovas, J. M., and Meydani, S. N. N. (2009). Polymorphisms at cytokine genes may determine the effect of vitamin e on cytokine production in the elderly. The Journal of nutrition. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5800741

Hargrave, K. M., Azain, M. J., and Miner, J. L. (2005). Dietary coconut oil increases conjugated linoleic acid-induced body fat loss in mice independent of essential fatty acid deficiency. Biochimica et biophysica acta, 1737(1):52-60.  http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5800784

Lauric acid. RX List. Retrieved on September 17, 2009.

Yoshinari, K., Okino, N., Sato, T., Sugatani, J., and Miwa, M. (2006). Induction of detoxifying enzymes in rodent white adipose tissue by aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists and antioxidants. Drug Metab Dispos, 34(7):1081-1089. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/783432

Liang, H. and Ward, W. F. (2008). Pgc-1: a key regulator of energy metabolism. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5805611

Olive Chemistry- The Olive Oil Source. Retrieved on September 17, 2009

Nicholls, S. J., Lundman, P., Harmer, J. A., Cutri, B., Griffiths, K. A., Rye, K.-A. A., Barter, P. J., and Celermajer, D. S. (2006). Consumption of saturated fat impairs the anti-inflammatory properties of high-density lipoproteins and endothelial function. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 48(4):715-720. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5805848

Coghlan, A. (2009). Fat reprograms genes linked to diabetes. NewScientist. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5831238

Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquée, nutrition et métabolisme, Vol. 33, No. 5. (October 2008), pp. 843-862.

Abdollahi, M., Donyavi, M., Pournourmohammadi, S., and Saadat, M. (2004). Hyperglycemia associated with increased hepatic glycogen phosphorylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase in rats following subchronic exposure to malathion. Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Toxicology & pharmacology : CBP, 137(4):343-347.  http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/2988987

Rezg, R., Mornagui, B., El-Fazaa, S., and Gharbi, N. (2008). Caffeic acid attenuates malathion induced metabolic disruption in rat liver, involvement of acetylcholinesterase activity. Toxicology, 250(1):27-31. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5831958

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Ghrelin: A Stomach Hormone Impacts Mood, Behavior, Sickness and Parkinson's Disease.

Background: In our last blog, we discussed the relationship of environmental toxicants on TLR receptor activation and reviewed how LPS endotoxin is a ligand for the TLR4 receptor. In addition, we mentioned how endotoxin and TLR plays a role in immune related disorders including RA and neurodegenerative disease and that it is also implicated as a causal factor in a number of environmental diseases including chronic fatigue syndrome. Generally, TLR signaling may contribute to a number of  conditions considered environmental diseases through the interaction and modulation of inflammatory cytokines. Lastly, in the past we noted that oxidation of phospholipids occurs at the site of inflammation and provides a small level of protection against TLR signaling but not against against Il-1 and Tnf-a. The level of TLR protection is dependant on the balance between the types of involved phospholipids. Smoking and ozone increase one type, PGCP that prevents the protection by Nrf2 against this type of stress.

A recent study has provided evidence that a stomach hormone called ghrelin may prevent or slow the onset of Parkinson's disease. As we noted above, TLR signaling has been implicated in the development of the condition and this study helps to provide insight in to a possible as to why. As Wipedia explains, ghrelin is a hormone that is produced in the stomach and the pancreas to produce the feeling of hunger. It also is produced in the part of the brain called the hypothalamus and stimulates secretion of growth hormone in the pituitary gland. Importantly, it is a hormone needed for learning and cognitive functioning necessary for adaptive behaviors and stimulates the endothelial form of nitric oxide. Ghrelin levels fluctuate during a 24-hour period and consequently this hormone has important implications in alterations of sleep duration, stress-induced depression, obesity and anorexia nervosa. Researchers are also focusing their attention on how alterations of ghrelin production may influence the development of addictive behaviors.

In 2006, Wang demonstrated that LPS endotoxin can inhibit the production of ghrelin and that exogenous application of ghrelin may normalize endotoxic-induced digestive dysfunction. There are findings of different studies that show that LPS endotoxin can raise or lower this hormones secretion and it is highly likely, other immune interactions, individual circumstances and genetics may impact this. In any event, the increase or decrease of ghrelin levels has important health consequences.   Wang's findings have important applications for environmental illness practioners considering that intestinal disease are often co-morbid with environmentally-induced conditions. Parkinson's disease is considered an environmental illness because it is exacerbated or believe to be caused by environmental factors. No doubt genetic factors play a part but there is mounting evidence that environmental toxicants may influence genetic disposition for the development of the disease. Understanding the relationship of ghrelin to Parkinson's disease (PD) is dependant on understanding that lower actions of ghrelin in the brain are associated with an increase in the loss of dopamine and lower dopamine levels in the brain are consistent with the etiology of PD. The author of this recent study remarks that further study will be needed to determine whether ghrelin can be used as a biomarker for PD or at least help to identify an increase in vulnerability. In any case, considering that LPS endotoxin may inhibit the production of ghrelin, normalizing ghrelin levels systemically may have the potential to have a positive impact on diseases where low/altered dopamine levels play a role such as PD and ADHD.

Dr. Lutter of UT Southwestern points out that "regulated" control of the production of this hormone is important for regulating behavior and mood and therefore, alterations in ghrelin may influence that condition of sickness syndrome. Lutter's findings show that ghrelin regulates mood, stress and energy levels and while blocking ghrelin production may provide a mechanism for weight control it can also increase feelings of depression and anxiety. In his experiments he found that ghrelin increases during stress and elevations can last for weeks after the stress event ends and animals which did not respond normally to ghrelin exhibited more depressive or anxious behaviors. The above findings may help to identify at least some of the causes of behavioral changes in this PD and other environmentally-induced illnesses. Another experiment demonstrated that endotoxemia in dogs resulted in an increase in leptin and ghrelin which correlated to an increase in NO, inflammatory mediators, cortisol and injury markers. Interestingly,  ghrelin increases occurred in cachetic mice with cancer with symptoms of changes of metabolism so the increase or decrease in ghrelin production may be dependant on production of cytokines such as TNF-a. Other studies show it attenuates other cytokine-induced anorexia and therefore, chnages in ghrelin production/secretion should be considered a factor in behavioral appetite changes associated with sickness and wasting syndrome (Hataya). Evidence shows that exogenous ghrelin inhibits Il-1 and TNF-a while augmenting the synthesis of Il-10 in endotoxin-stimulated immune cells. Waseem explains this modulatory action of ghrelin warrants further investigation. As we have explained in other blogs, Il-10 modulates sickness syndrome through HO-1 and therefore ghrelin has potential to indirectly modulate antioxidant mechanisms.

Because ghrelin has important roles in a number of animal behaviors, future research findings may provide important  insight and provide natural and pharmacological treatments for a number of diseases where ghrelin production is a factor.

The Balance Within: The Science Connecting Health and Emotions















The Psychoneuroimmunology of Chronic Disease: Exploring the Links Between Inflammation, Stress, and Illness












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Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Chronic Fatigue, Insulin Resistance, Il-10 and Sickness Syndrome

Definition:

  • Bioaccumulation: refers to the accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, or other organic chemicals in an organism. (Wipedia)

Background: Several months ago we discussed an article the describes the results of a study that revealed a link between accumulation of chemicals and diabetes. That study also noted the relationship was correlated to a higher incidence of obesity. In addition, we have recently described that Nrf2 plays a homeostatic role in adipocytes it now appears Nrf2 plays a modulatory role in adipogenesis and when the Nrf2 activity is impaired there is a greater risk for obesity. We have also discussed at length that chemicals bioaccumulate in fat tissue where they produce inflammatory mediators and decrease regulatory and anti-inflammatory proteins such as PPAR-gamma and adiponectin. It seems also the consequences of high-fat diets may impair Nrf2 which influences the control of inflammatory responses mediators such as Tnf-a and MCP-1/CCL2/CCR2, may prevent or delay activation of the antioxidant system. Nrf2 also is responsible for gene expression for proteins important for mitochondrial respiration such as NRF1 and PPAR-a. The latter being a regulatory factor that cooperates with PGC-1a during mitochondrial biogenesis. Insulin resistance also impairs mitochondrial function and is quite a common characteristic that leads to diabetes and obesity.

Other important things we have noted recently are:

  • Sickness syndrome includes a number of behavioral symptoms including fatigue, malaise, increased sensitivity to pain, loss of appetite, anxiety, depression and numerous other symptoms. A recent study has demonstrated that the severity of sickness syndrome depends on the presence or absence of IL-10. If it is present the shorter and less severe the symptoms and if it is absent the patient will experience more severe pathology. In addition, we also noted that MCP-1 is activated by Tnf-a and IL-6 in peripheral tissue to caused neurotransmission in the brain that can incite the inflammatory cascade.
  • We also noted that Il-10 is regulated by HO-1 which also is regulated by Nrf2. If the Nrf2 pathway is impaired or inhibited in adipocytes, there is greater opportunity for an elevated inflammatory response in those tissues and the body would have a reduced ability to detoxify an "bioaccumulating" agent that it might be exposed to such as pesticides and other environmental contaminants.
  • We have also noted the Nrf2 system can be impaired by exposures to metals, aging factors, other genetic factors, hyperglycemia which is now considered a consequence of environmental exposures (H2S).
  • The Nrf2 regulates and is regulated by the aryl hydrocarbon that mediates the detoxification of PAHs and HAHS including dioxin and ingredients in agricultural products. The toxicity of dioxin is mediated through the AhR and is abnormal function may have an extremely important role in toxicity of endotoxin which Maes describes as a pathway to the development of CFS.
  • As animals with Nrf2 impairments age they develop an autoimmune type syndrome that makes them less able to handle toxins and more susceptible to certain diseases which most often leads to shorter lifespans.


A new study has revealed more important details about Il-10 that sheds more light on the symptoms associated with sickness behavior and chronic fatigue syndrome. This new study demonstrates that Il-10 is important for maintaining insulin sensitivity by protecting muscles from obesity-associated macrophage infiltration of inflammatory cytokines and diet-induced inflammatory responses. In the study, it was shown these cytokines include Tnf-a, Il-6, and CCR2. These are markers important in findings related to CFS and fibromyalgia and other environmental illnesses and develop (You can read about MCP-1 here) as part of the stress response from toxicant insults. This study indicates not only that IL-10 may be used as therapy for diabetes but one can suggest future therapies may also target environment illnesses that have presentations of fatigue, muscular pain and sensitivity. A past study demonstrated that Il-10 prevented alterations in Il-6 hepatic insulin action, signaling, and also Il-6 and lipid-induced insulin signaling in skeletal muscle and therefore support the findings from the study noted above. (Kim) Both studies provides evidence of an important role of Nrf2 in regulating metabolic homeostasis by regulating HO-1/IL-10 and demonstrates how its impairment or inhibition can lead to environmental illness.



Bock, K. and Kohle, C. (2006). Ah receptor: Dioxin-mediated toxic responses as hints to deregulated physiologic functions. Biochemical Pharmacology, 72(4):393-404. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/4664272
Zhou, M., Maitra, S. R., and Wang, P. (2008). The potential role of transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor in downregulation of hepatic cytochrome p-450 during sepsis. International journal of molecular medicine, 21(4):423-428. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/4122627
Hong, E.-G. G., Ko, H. J. J., Cho, Y.-R. R., Kim, H.-J. J., Ma, Z., Yu, T. Y., Friedline, R. H., Kurt-Jones, E., Finberg, R., Fischer, M. A., Granger, E. L., Norbury, C. C., Hauschka, S. D., Philbrick, W. M., Lee, C.-G. G., Elias, J. A., and Kim, J. K. (2009). Interleukin-10 prevents diet-induced insulin resistance by attenuating macrophage and cytokine response in skeletal muscle. Diabetes. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5711648
Kim, H.-J. J., Higashimori, T., Park, S.-Y. Y., Choi, H., Dong, J., Kim, Y.-J. J., Noh, H.-L. L., Cho, Y.-R. R., Cline, G., Kim, Y.-B. B., and Kim, J. K. (2004). Differential effects of interleukin-6 and -10 on skeletal muscle and liver insulin action in vivo. Diabetes, 53(4):1060-1067. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/2679201
Beyer, T. A., Xu, W., Teupser, D., Keller, U. A. D., Bugnon, P., Hildt, E., Thiery, J., Kan, Y. W., and Werner, S. (2007). Impaired liver regeneration in nrf2 knockout mice: role of ros-mediated insulin/igf-1 resistance. European Molecular Biology Organization. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5711724

Chronic Fatigue, Insulin Resistance, Il-10 and Sickness Syndrome

Definition:
  • Bioaccumulation: refers to the accumulation of substances, such as pesticides, or other organic chemicals in an organism. (Wipedia)
Background: Several months ago we discussed an article the describes the results of a study that revealed a link between accumulation of chemicals and diabetes. That study also noted the relationship was correlated to a higher incidence of obesity. In addition, we have recently described that Nrf2 plays a homeostatic role in adipocytes it now appears Nrf2 plays a modulatory role in adipogenesis and when the Nrf2 activity is impaired there is a greater risk for obesity. We have also discussed at length that chemicals bioaccumulate in fat tissue where they produce inflammatory mediators and decrease regulatory and anti-inflammatory proteins such as PPAR-gamma (which when overregulated can contribute to obesity) and adiponectin and it is assumed now this is also true because high-fat diets may impair Nrf2 which influences the control of inflammatory responses mediators such as Tnf-a and MCP-1/CCL2/CCR2, may prevent or delay activation of the antioxidant system. Nrf2 also is responsible for gene expression for proteins important for mitochondrial respiration such as NRF1 and PPAR-a. The latter being a regulatory factor that cooperates with PGC-1a during mitochondrial biogenesis. Insulin resistance also impairs mitochondrial function and is quite a common characteristic that leads to diabetes and obesity.

Other important things we have noted recently are:

  • Sickness syndrome includes a number of behavioral symptoms including fatigue, malaise, increased sensitivity to pain, loss of appetite, anxiety, depression and numerous other symptoms. A recent study has demonstrated that the severity of sickness syndrome depends on the presence or absence of IL-10. If it is present the shorter and less severe the symptoms and if it is absent the patient will experience more severe pathology. In addition, we also noted that MCP-1 is activated by Tnf-a and IL-6 in peripheral tissue to caused neurotransmission in the brain that can incite the inflammatory cascade.
  • We also noted that Il-10 is regulated by HO-1 which also is regulated by Nrf2. If the Nrf2 pathway is impaired or inhibited in adipocytes, there is greater opportunity for an elevated inflammatory response in those tissues and the body would have a reduced ability to detoxify an "bioaccumulating" agent that it might be exposed to such as pesticides and other environmental contaminants.
  • We have also noted the Nrf2 system can be impaired by exposures to metals, aging factors, other genetic factors, hyperglycemia which is now considered a consequence of environmental or endogenous exposures (H2S).

  • The Nrf2 regulates and is regulated by the aryl hydrocarbon that mediates the detoxification of PAHs and HAHS including dioxin and ingredients in agricultural products. The toxicity of dioxin is mediated through the AhR and is abnormal function may have an extremely important role in toxicity of endotoxin which Maes describes as a pathway to the development of CFS.
A new study has revealed more important details about Il-10 that sheds more light on the symptoms associated with sickness behavior and chronic fatigue syndrome. This new study demonstrates that Il-10 is important for maintaining insulin sensitivity by protecting muscles from obesity-associated macrophage infiltration of inflammatory cytokines and diet-induced inflammatory responses. In the study, it was shown these cytokines include Tnf-a, Il-6, and CCR2. These are markers important in findings related to CFS and fibromyalgia and other environmental illnesses and develop (You can read about MCP-1 here) as part of the stress response from toxicant insults. This study indicates not only that IL-10 may be used as therapy for diabetes but one can suggest future therapies may also target environment illnesses that have presentations of fatigue, muscular pain and sensitivity. A past study demonstrated that Il-10 prevented alterations in Il-6 hepatic insulin action, signaling, and also Il-6 and lipid-induced insulin signaling in skeletal muscle and therefore support the findings from the study noted above. (Kim) Both studies provides evidence of an important role of Nrf2 in regulating metabolic homeostasis by regulating HO-1/IL-10 and demonstrates how its impairment or inhibition can lead to environmental illness.

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

T Regulatory Cells and Vitamin D - Their Importance to Environmental Illness Including Chemical Sensitivity.

Over the past several months there has been a number of studies that shed light on the activities of a subset of immune cells called regulatory T-cells. Interestingly, these new findings may result in answering some important questions related to multiple chemical sensitivity which is a condition where patients become sensitive to agents normally found in the environment and these agents can be "natural" or manmade. Every MCS patient is different but their symptoms may include nausea, vertigo, brain fog, light sensitivity and others. Generally, reactions occur when MCS patients are exposed to concentrations of noxious stimulants, chemical agents or irritants that would not normally elicit a reaction in those without MCS. While there are many theories out there about what causes MCS, so far there are few that actually come close to understanding MCS and other facets of environmental illness. Unfortunately, many health experts are critical about the existence of MCS and try to classify it as a "psychomatic condition" while others are more open-minded and have begun to rally and now treat multiple chemical sensitivity as a "real" medical condition.

One MCS theory that is gaining in popularity and research support is that MCS is a condition that may be caused from a loss of tolerance and is similar in nature to inflammatory diseases that are commonly classified as autoimmune diseases. In this realm, there is no doubt that MCS could fit and recent studies provide more evidence that this could be the case. As we have noted all along several biological sub-systems, for lack of a better word, may play a part in the development of MCS and this kind of loss of tolerance or loss of homeostasis. The most recent findings support our belief that the development of MCS can be dependant on the dysregulation of Nrf2 which regulates a number of antioxidant proteins including HO-1 and NRF1 which is important for mitochondrial biogenesis. Over the past two years, we have discussed the function of this antioxidant system in modulating inflammatory cytokines. Also, important findings of vitamin D show it may be an important regulator and for MCS, it may be an important as a MCS therapy. Mainly because vitamin D can regulate regulatory Tcells and reduce autoimmune Th1 responses in association with Il-10. In the past several years a number of studies have shown that members in general population are deficient in vitamin D and supplementation of vitamin D reduces the incidence of several autoimmune conditions including MS, rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Deficiencies in vitamin D also is associated with metabolic sydrome and "itch". The latter being a common symptom in a number of autoimmune conditions as well as, multiple chemical sensitivity.

Late last year an interesting study was published that provides a little more insight on how regulatory T-cells (Tregs) may influence MCS and other environmental diseases including cancer. As the author notes in the abstract, air pollution is an important contributor to the development of environmental disease including asthma, allergy and multiple chemical sensitivity. Often the former two are co-morbid in MCS patients but not always and as Micovic explains, the assault by environmental insults including VOC results in an "abnormal immune response of lymphocytic subsets." Normally, the body is able to decipher the good and bad stimuli and develop a tolerance to those that are less noxious. Recent research findings support this process is achieved through the activities of Tregs and so is the "loss of tolerance". Interestingly, this researcher found in his experiments that normal chronic exposure to an air pollutant, increases the percentage of Il-10-dependant Tregs. On the other hand, a loss of tolerance may mean a reduction of Tregs or one of its associated proteins. In scientific studies, the destruction of Treg populations cause mice to spontaneously develop a "spectrum of autoimmune disease" (Micovic) and others displayed anaphylactic-type responses. Park clarifies how production of CD4+CD25 by Il-10 production provides a protective role against lung hypersensitivity, again, to chronic exposure to environmental antigens. Activation of nociceptors has also been implicated as a factor in MCS. (Pall) It was recently demonstrated that in a mouse model of autoimmune encephalitis, TRPV1 signaling is important in modulation of IL-10 and inhibition of TNF-a and Il-1b and subsequent increases of IL-17. (Tsuji) This explains why the TRPV1 receptor has become the focus in the development of therapeutic approaches to diabetes.

Cong describes in his paper that Tregs are believed to be "central to the prevention of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders and there are many types of these regulatory immune cells that exist including CD4+CD25+, Tr1, Tr3 and vitamin D-dexamethasone induced Il-10. Notably, we are talking about only a very small number of T cells in relation to the total number of immune cells. Therefore, unless highly specialized equipment and lab techniques are used an adequate representation of this kind of CD profile is virtually non-existent or available to the typical clinical physician. If you have read some of our blogs in the past, we discuss IL-10 quite extensively in relation to Il-10 as a modulator of the severity of sickness syndrome. Sickness syndrome is marked by a variety of symptoms including changes in appetite, mood, fatigue levels, neurotransmitters, etc that ultimately result in obvious behavioral changes and usually is considered a part of "sickness" and accompanies increases in cytokine production including Il-1 and Il-6. Sickness syndrome is not exclusive of humans and has been observed in animals. In addition, Il-10 has been shown to regulate Il-17 which is a cytokine normally associated with autoimmune-type disease and deficiencies in IL-10 correlate well to increases in fatigue and other sickness type behaviors which are characteristic of many environmental illnesses. One study shows that infection-induced inflammatory mediators including NO and TNF-a by GSK-3b, which is the off-switch for Nrf2, is achieved by inhibiting Il-10. Parkinson's diseases is considered an environmental illness and alteractions in the expression of the antioxidant HO-1 and GSK-3b increases the risk for its development. (Infante)

It is now recognized that Tregs interact with one another and in a study of asthma, the loss of IL-10 fails to "induce tolerance". Also, George demonstrates that suppression of autoimmune-type inflammatory conditions by Treg CD4+CD25+ is dependant on HO-1 often regulated through Nrf2. Rockwell recently discovered that the inflammatory cytokines Il-17 and IFN-gamma in systemic lupus, an autoimmune disease, are regulated by Nrf2 in CD4+ cells. It also regulates IFN-gamma in Th1 cells. Taking this information into account, this supports the HEIRS hypothesis that the dysfunction of the Nrf2 pathway either because of genetics or other environmental factors such as malnutrition may be critical to the development of MCS, in addition to, other environmental diseases.

Recent studies have also determined that age and mental stress can decrease the levels of Tregs and therefore, this may explain why mental stress exacerbates MCS and other environmentally-induced and autoimmune diseases. (Freier) One author suggests that in the gut, Tregs work commensally with gut bacteria to prevent intestinal inflammation and reduces expression of Il-17 implicated in carcinogensis and disregulation of this system may increase the incidence of colon cancer and may play a role in other cancers as well. (Erdman) We have suggested that the aryl hydrocarbon may contribute to symptoms of MCS and indeed, some some ligands and not others interfere with Treg expression and increase Il-17. (Quintana) To make matters more complex, the presence or absence of TLR signaling (which we have discussed exhaustively in the past) in a Il-10 -/- environment may increase the likelihood of the loss of suppression of autoimmune-type complications and lead to a "loss of tolerance" with "inocuos" pathogens such as bacteria that normally reside in the ihuman tissue such as the human gut. (Gonzales-Navajas) Notably, the relationship of Tregs, Il-10 and other factors such as GSK-3b provide an explanation of why Nrf2 activators (EGCG), vitamin D, probiotics that modulate intestinal immunity have demonstrated they reduce or alter response of inflammation, oxidative stress, and aid in the reduction of symptoms to noxious agents and have been shown to reduce the incidence of diseases including cancer and boost innate immunity. Drops in Tregs have been observed in patients with CFS (although studies conflict) and others show an abnormal immune phenotype and production of inflammatory cytokines associated with the illness is consistent with our premise that symptoms in CFS may be caused by sickness syndrome. Consequently, alterations of I-10 dependant tregs provides a mechanism for the increase risk for cancer in environmental illnesses such as CFS. It is worth mentioning that when dysregulation of the Nrf2 pathway occurs any number of aberrations in profiles may appear because the pathway controls so many different efflux proteins, transporters and enzymes. Of course, the initial trigger of illness and a patient's genetics may also lead to differences in lab profiles and explain why such a wide range of stimuli including endotoxin, perfumes, odors, oils, foods, terpenes, etc may initiate a response in MCS patients.




For original document and citations.



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Sunday, October 11, 2009

Infection/Endotoxin in Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

Definition: Endotoxin: a toxic component of bacteria not excreted by live bacteria but induces the inflammatory cascade and production of NO. (Endotoxin)


 An increasing number of scientific publications support the hypothesis that endotoxin infection and sickness syndrome may be important factors in environmental illnesses including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome and quite possibly MCS. In fact, sickness syndrome would be a reasonable and holistic approach for explaining many of the behavioral, physical and emotional complications that are common in environmental illness. Sickness syndrome is described as the presence of a variety of symptoms including malaise, fatigue, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, brain inflammation, mood changes such as anxiety and depression and a host of other symptoms that occur as a reponse to injury or infection.  These responses occur both in humans and animals and some propose it is in part, adapative responses that are generated to alter the responses of the host and their social network. Over the past several years, there has been an significant amount of research on sickness syndrome. The occurence of which can be attributed to inflammatory cytokines that alter neurotransmission and genetic expression. There have been studies that show altered gene expression in environmental illnesses; the consequences of which can be quite severe and unexpected. Il-10 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine that has been shown to modulate the severity of sickness syndrome through interaction with HO-1. HO-1 is also a cytokine that is induced by activation of Nrf2, although there are other pathways that can induce this antioxidant. Recently, it has been demonstrated that the protective effect of an endogenous peptide thryotropin, against the damaging effect on the dopamine system from paraquat, is due to the chemicals ability to activate Nrf2 to reduce reactive species and increase the antioxidant glutathione. Other studies have demonstrated that thyrotropin is able to reverse hyperglycemia by increasing beta cell function and reducing programmed cell death. (Luo) Insulin resistance and diabetes are suspected to be important consequences of the sustained presence of inflammation and inflammatory cyokines that are characteristic of environmental illnesses.

A recent published study showed that there is brain disfunction in multiple chemical sensitivity (Orriols) and last week I suggested that some of the cognitive effects could be from an altered expression of BDNF. Of course, there are any number of factors such as malnutrition and inflammation that can influence cognitive function. Neurotransmitter regulate and can alter cognition and are modulated by factors that produce "sickness syndrome".  According to the author of the recent MCS study, SPECT scans showed alterations in the regions of the brain including the cingulus, striatum and the hippocampus in addition to others. Pekary et al explains that a common environmental toxin LPS has the potential to alter the expression of thyrotropin which may have an impact on LPS toxicity. The study showed elevations of cytokines and corticosterone after LPS with a transient drop in T3. Other results showed a decrease in thyrotropin-releasing hormone in certain areas of the brain while increasing it in others. Thyrotropin has been shown to improve recovery after neurological dysfunctions such as brain trauma and epilepsy in humans and animals and be neuroprotective against NMDA neurotoxicity. (Pizzi) These regions the author noted are areas that are associated with the neuroimmunomodulatory effects of sickness and injury and danger and appear to be similar to those effected in MCS SPECT scans. Also, a sustained elevation in TRH was present in b-cells accompanied by LPS-impaired insulin secretion. From these findings, the author concluded that thyrotropins can mediate and moderate the behavioral and toxic effects of LPS. In addition, LPS elevates inflammatory cytokines including Tnf-a, Il-6 and Il-1b and also increases expression of TLR receptors 2 and 4 and causes a prolonged sickness behavior in aged animals. Taking these findings into account and the fact that thryotropin mediate their positive effects through Nrf2, then one can assume that alterations in the antioxidant system may exacerbate the toxic effects generated by LPS endotoxin  It is also important to mention that Nrf2 levels drop as a consequence of the aging process(Godbout). This could lead one to propose that Nrf2 alterations from aging and other impairments and LPS may at least in part, mediate the effects in MCS. There has been evidence that hyperglycemia (which can be reversed with thyrotropin) sensitizes TRPV1 receptors which is implicated in MCS (Pall) and diabetes complications and TRPV1 may have direct or indirect effect on the release of neurotransmitters. (Pabbidi) Neuropeptides releases from capsaicin-sensitive efferents provide a protective mechanism against LPS but also increase bronchoconstriction which can increase airway hyperresponse. (Elekes) From these results and other studies, I have suggested that insulin resistance and hyperglycemia from chemical exposures may contribute to some of the inflammatory responses in MCS.

Endotoxin or LPS has been implicated as a possible pathway to the development of chronic fatigue syndrome. Above we noted that LPS increases the expression of toll-like receptors 2 and 4. Toll receptors recognize certain components on bacteria and transduces bacterial invasion through this recognition and has important relevance in preventing infection (Light) and expressed on a variety of cells including dendritic cells, B cells, neutraphils and macrophages. Defects in TLR expression can lead to an increase in susceptibility to infection from a number of pathogens while aberrant signaling of TLR such as from LPS are implicated in causing sepsis or even inflammatory or autoimmune-type conditions. (Harding) Activation of TLRs can lead to initiation of the the inflammatory pathway NF-kappaB and LPS endotoxins are ligand of TL4. Interestingly, saturated fats (bad fat) can induce inflammatory markers through TLR4 and therefore, saturated fats can alter gene expression through TLR4 interaction. For instance, the main component of coconut oil, lauric acid, has been demonstrated to potentiate the inflammatory effects of LPS COX-2. (Lee)  The just published Light study on chronic fatigue syndrome shows an increase in TLR4 after exercise and Light suggests this is due to "lesser fitness" in CFS patients. Light goes on to further explain that Il-10 is upregulated in CFS patients after exercise and one of its roles is to inhibit the production of Tnf-a which is also consistent with recent reports of an anti-inflammatory profile in FM. This and other studies of CFS revealed symptom flares may be related to cytokine activity postexercise. Notably, Tnf-a was elevated in muscle and Light explains that fatigue and muscle pain in CFS might be from the enhanced activation of "fatigue" and "nociceptive" afferents supplying muscle. Other supporting evidence of muscle involvement included elevations of ASIC3 channels that are often increased by muscle and joint inflammation. The elevation of Il-10 in the Light study was correlated to those patients with prolonged fatigue and pain but who also had elevations in pro-inflammatory cytokines and evidence of overall enhanced immune response. LPS has been shown to have a close relationship with sensory nerves and TLR4 receptors have been found on sensory nerves. The interaction between LPS and TLR4 may enhance the complications of TRPV1 activation. (Clark) In addition, Suter demonstrated that TLR2 and TLR4 are necessary for nerve-induced microglia activation and pain sensitization. (Suter)The presence of nociceptors on trigeminal nerves that suggests they recognize bacterial products and contribute to pain during infection. (Ball)