CHAPTER XII
Inflammation
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nflammation is the body’s response to any offending agent. The agent may be a microorganism (pathogenic* bacteria, viruses, fungi, spirochetes, ricketsia, etc., called an infection), a chemical such as heavy metals, or a physical agent such as radiation. Other factors are trauma, foreign substances such as with an incompatible blood transfusion or transplanted organ, autoimmune condition, cancer cells and others. Inflammation may be acute or chronic. The inflammatory response is a function of the immune system and comprises a cellular component and a humoral one—the two work together.
THE CELLULAR COMPONENT The cellular component is made up of certain white blood cells—the main cell type is the lymphocyte. Thus, there are T-Cells, B-Cells, Natural Killers (NK) and K-type lymphocytes. Also, plasma cells are involved by producing immunoglobulins.
THE HUMORAL COMPONENT The humoral or soluble mediators of the immune system comprise several specialized proteins that perform this mission… 1. The Complement System—This is eighteen compounds, which includes enzymes whose objective is cell lysis (destruction of the offending agent). * Pathogenic means capable of causing disease in humans.
FOUNTAIN of HEALTH Cytokines (Interleukins)—These are a group of proteins or polypeptides that also contribute to the defense by stimulating activities of lymphocytes and macrophages. Cytokines are made by the white blood cells to exert effects on other white blood cells—also known as Interleukins. Their numbers keep increasing so at the present time there are at least 33 interleukins (IL1 to IL33). Each has several actions and affects certain cells. 3. Inteferons—These are a group of Cytokines. They are also part of the defense against pathogenic microorganisms as well as tumor cells and other antigens. There are alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) Interferons (IFNs). 3. Other Cytokines – Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) – Chymokines (MCPs) 2.
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ACUTE–PHASE PROTEINS Providing a nonspecific defense response, they are Glycoproteins. Acute-Phase Proteins include… • C-Reactive Protein (CRP); • Complement C3 and C4; • Fibrinogen; • And several others. These acute phase proteins are useful indicators of inflammatory activities and tissues damage. Their levels can be measured in the blood. C-Reactive Protein (CRP) is produced in the liver under the control of Interleukin-6 (IL-6). CRP is reflective of the state of inflammation so it is high when inflammation is active, then it goes down when inflammation subsides—unlike the red blood cell sedimentation rate (ESR), which is an indirect indicator of the acute-phase.
Inflammation
Inflammation (All Disease Conditions Include Inflammation)
These natural measures of fighting inflammation and disease must be the first line of healing measures. Prescription drugs and medications should only be a last resort.