systemic inflammation Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Fats That Heal Vs. Fats That Kill. Do You Know the Difference?

AHA Publisher — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 08:00:58 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – It’s not hyperbole. In many foods you eat, there are fats that heal, and there are fats that kill. Some dietary fats promote systemic inflammation, artery plaques, and disease. Some dietary fats fight inflammation, fight oxidative stress, and promote health in your brain, eyes, heart, and throughout your body. As you look down a grocery store aisle, or even in your own pantry, can you distinguish the fats that kill vs. fats that heal? Do you know which foods are loaded with them? Do you know easy steps to avoid the killers and nourish your body with the healers? If you don’t know yet, you certainly will by the end of this article. Take a look, and choose fats that heal while avoiding the ones that kill. Fats That Kill Let’s get the bad news out of the way first. Fats that kill are everywhere in the modern diet. They promote inflammation, high amounts of dangerous oxidized cholesterol in your arteries, and modern health conditions. They also have another thing in common. The primary offenders are found in processed foods and fast foods. Which fats kill? TRANSFATS You may think you have a good handle on transfats. Thankfully, this is becoming more and more true. During the last decade, many Americans have become more aware of transfats, or partially-hydrogenated fats, and have begun weeding them out of their diets. Here’s what you need to know about deadly transfats. Transfats are produced when food chemists take a fat that is naturally liquid at room temperature, and add hydrogens to make it solid at room temperature. You can think of oil becoming margarine or Crisco. Beyond the obvious sources, through, these shelf-stable man made fats can be found in many processed foods. Look for “partially hydrogenated” or “hydrogenated” fats on your ingredient lists. Transfats can be listed as zero grams on a nutrition label anytime it only contains 0.4 grams or less per serving. Unfortunately, transfats cause harm even in very small amounts. So, do not trust the nutrition label. Look at the ingredient list and weed out all sources of transfats. Transfats cause harm to the human body by promoting inflammation and becoming oxidized. Inflammation is at the root of many modern health conditions. Furthermore, when cholesterol is oxidized, it becomes “sticky,” and sticks to artery walls and other cholesterol units, forming plaques. SOYBEAN OIL Technically, soybean oil could be categorized as a transfat since it’s often hydrogenated, or as a polyunsaturated fat (below), since it is polyunsaturated in its natural state. However, it deserves its own “Fats that Kill” entry because it is incredibly detrimental to health, and it is found virtually in every processed food. Why? It’s cheap. The biggest issue with soybean oil is that it is a concentrated source of omega-6 fats. Omega-6s fats, while necessarily in small amounts, become dangerous as our diets are loaded with them compared to omega-3 fats. These 2 types of fats are antagonists. The more omega-6 fats, the more problems. Soybean oil and concentrated omega-6 fats affect: Metabolic Health. Lab studies show that soybean oil is one of the most detrimental foods to metabolic health (1). Cardiovascular Health: Soybean oil has been shown to cause harmful abnormalities to cholesterol and triglycerides (2). Overall health and inflammation: Many studies have concluded that concentrated sources of omega-6 fats increase inflammation in the body (3). POLYUNSATURATED FATS IN FRIED FOODS Polyunsaturated fats are vegetable oils that become easily oxidized in the arteries (again, these form plaques). They become especially dangerous when they are first used at very high heats when deep frying. Almost all deep-fried fast foods, chips, and fried snack foods are loaded with these harmful fats. What’s more, they are also concentrated sources of omega-6 fats and contribute to the same problems listed above for soybean oil. Here is a list of polyunsaturated vegetable fats you should avoid and the amount of omega-6 fats in each of them per 1 tablespoon (in grams). For reference, a good goal for omega-6 fats in oils is no more than 2 grams, used sparingly. Safflower oil (10.1 gm Omega-6 per 1 tablespoon oil) Grapeseed oil (9.5) Vegetable Oil (7.9) Wheat Germ Oil (7.5) Corn Oil (7.3) Walnut Oil (7.3) Cottonseed Oil (7.0) Soybean (7.0) Sunflower Oil (5.4) Canola Oil (3.0) Fats That Heal Now, for some good news. There are many fats that heal your body, fight inflammation, and support health from your brains to your eyes to your heart. Here are the fats that heal: OMEGA-3 FATS Omega-3 fats come primarily from seafoods (specifically krill, fatty fish, seaweed, etc.) and to a lesser extent, vegetarian sources such as hemp seeds, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts, and more. These incredibly healthful fats are a potent source of healing in the body. First, they tip the balance in favor of omega-3 fats versus omega-6 fats, which fights inflammation. They encourage great eye health and heart health. They also specifically support brain health. Omega-3s encourage: Cognitive Function: Researchers have found improved outcomes in at least one aspect of cognitive function studied (working memory, executive function, verbal memory, short-term memory, perceptual speed, etc.) when omega-3s are added to the diet. They concluded that omega-3 supplementation might have a positive effect on cognitive function and could be used as a preventive or therapeutic tool for cognitive decline in aged or older adults (4). Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Protection: TBI increases the levels of brain cell death and damage. A recent animal study found that omega-3 supplementation before traumatic damage offered neuroprotection (5). Additionally, it’s been established that dietary supplementation of omega-3s can reduce the oxidative stress and inflammation developed in the brain due after TBI by improving the survival of brain cells (6). Reductions in Cognitive Decline: Another recent study found that omega-3s may improve the immune factors that are important to brain function in those with cognitive decline (7). A study from 2017 found that omega-3 supplementation increased the unfolded protein response and improved amyloid-β phagocytosis by macrophages of patients with mild cognitive impairment (8). Lastly, another 2015 study found that omega-3 supplementation reduced brain inflammation in those with mild cognitive impairment (9). OMEGA-9 FATS There are 2 great oil options for omega-9 fats in your diet rather than omega-6 fats. Olive oil and avocado oil. Olive oil can be used as a dressing/sauce over vegetables and other foods, as well as cooking at low and medium temperatures (it cannot be used to deep fry as it will reach its smoke point). Why use olive oil? It contains: Antioxidants Galore: Olive oil contains vitamin E, vitamin K, and hydroxytyrosol (HT). Hydroxytyrosol is a nutrient with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (10). Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Bacterial Compounds: Chronic inflammation is at the root of many modern chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, obesity and more. Olive oil contains an antioxidant called oleocanthal, which is strongly anti-inflammatory. In fact, it works similarly to anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (11). Heart Protection: To support heart health, olive oil reduces inflammation and cholesterol oxidation in artery walls (12). It can also lower blood pressure and reduce the need for hypertension medications by up to 48% (13). What’s more, studies have found that those who consume olive oil have a significantly lower risk of stroke than those who don’t (14). Anti-Aging Nutrients: The most prominent fat in olive oil, oleic acid, is strongly anti-aging. What’s more, vitamin E, olive oil’s polyphenols, and vitamin K all support youthful cells, strong bones, improved gene expression and more (15). Brain Health Compounds: Olive oil may help remove Alzheimer-associated plaques from the brain, beta-amyloid plaques (16). In addition, studies have found that olive oil may improve cognition (17). When you need an oil for higher temperature cooking, or for baking, use Avocado Oil. SMALL AMOUNTS OF MEDIUM CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDES Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) are special fats, found in foods like coconut oil, that are medium in length, easy to digest, and offer benefits to the brain and body. What’s more, MCTs support ketone production and energy for those in the Keto Zone. The 2 main fatty acids in MCT oil and MCT oil powder are C8 and C10. These are readily converted to ketones and produce many beneficial health effects. MCT Oil has been studied at length. Studies show it supports: Heart Health. The amazing MCTs in MCT Oil Powder have been shown to improve cholesterol profiles by decreasing LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol (18). Reduced Inflammation. After a diet with MCTs, researchers have found significantly reduced C-Reactive protein, a marker for inflammation (19). Brain Health. Ketones produced from MCTs can reduce brain degradation from aging and improve brain function (20). Weight Loss. Consumption of MCTs has been correlated with reduced weight, body fat, and BMI in studies. What’s more, you won’t go hungry since they also increase satiety (21, 22). Blood Sugar Balance. MCTs can improve blood sugars and decrease insulin output, thereby improving health and fat breakdown (23). Healthy Digestion. Amazingly, MCTs can fight unhealthy yeasts while supporting an increase in healthy bacteria and absorption in the digestive tract (24). Energy and Athletic Performance. MCTs increase the energy output of the mitochondria in the cells in your body, significantly improving overall energy (25, 26). Simple Ways to Choose Fats That Heal It’s important to first recognize which are fats that heal and fats that kill. Then, take simple steps to improve your diet. Avoid processed foods at much as possible. Make as much of your food as you can at home. This is simple and important, but not easy. We all have busy schedules and homemade foods take time. But, you will know what ingredients go into your foods, and you can easily avoid the harmful ones. When you do buy commercial foods and condiments, look at every ingredient. Be on the lookout especially for soybean oil, any hydrogenated oils, and the concentrated omega-6 oils listed below. Avoid fast food, especially deep fried items, like the plague. Ask what oils are used in restaurants. Avoid foods that are fried or made with soybean oil specifically. When cooking, be careful what oils and fats you use. Use olive oil and avocado oil. Avoid the oils listed on the high omega-6 list. When taking omega-3 supplements (such as Krill oil), avoid supplements that are omega-3/omega-6 complexes. These complexes were first designed to deliver a healthy omega-6 to omega-3 ratio, but did not consider that most modern diets are already overloaded with omega-6 fat! There’s no need to add more omega-6s! Listen to Dr. Colbert Want to hear more? Of course you do! Check out our recent podcast on good fats and bad fats to hear insight from Dr. Colbert! Bottom Line Now you know: there are fats that heal and fats that kill. Use our guide and simple steps to consume fats that heal each day. Avoid the ones that are detrimental to your health. Take time to listen to Dr. Colbert speak on this subject. You can make a big difference with these small steps! To read the original article click here.

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This Ancient Practice Offers Natural Migraine Relief, NEW Study Reveals

AHA Publisher — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 08:00:45 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – For those who suffer from migraine headaches, the throbbing, pulsing pain – sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light – can seem unbearable. And the fact that attacks can last for hours and even days adds another layer of misery. Western medicine attempts to treat migraines with drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, barbiturates, and opioids. But, the adverse effects of these medications can run the gamut from drowsiness and confusion to addiction, stomach ulcers, and liver damage. Sadly, only about half of migraine sufferers report relief from taking prescribed medications. But, there is some good news: a new study published in the official journal of the American Academy of Neurology reveals that yoga benefits migraines – and allows patients to take fewer drugs. Reduce the Severity and Frequency of Migraine Headaches by Adding This Practice to Your Treatment Plan The 2020 study published in Neurology involved 114 adult volunteers who experienced between four and 14 migraine headaches a month. Participants were randomly divided into two groups – one taking their regular migraine medications and one in which yoga was added to the regimen. The yoga consisted of an hour-long routine of breathing, relaxation techniques, and yoga postures. For the first month, the volunteers in the yoga group were supervised by an instructor three days a week. Over the next two months, they performed the yoga at home five days a week. Both groups received identical counseling regarding common-sense lifestyle techniques to manage migraines, including getting sufficient sleep, eating properly, and exercising regularly. After three months, the results were definitive: adding yoga offers natural migraine relief. Adding a yoga routine to a regimen of prescribed medications significantly reduced the severity and frequency of headaches. Impressive Study Results: Do This Regularly to Reduce Your Medication in Only Three Months The team reported that while patients in both groups experienced improvements in headache frequency, duration, and impact on daily life, the yoga group’s benefits were more pronounced. In fact, the yoga group ended up with an average of 4.7 migraine headaches a month – down from 9.1 – while the medication-only group cut their headaches by only 12 percent (a much more modest decrease). In addition, the yoga group was able to take less medication, with their average usage dropping by a hefty 47 percent by the end of the three-month study. Once again, the meds-only group didn’t fare as well. In fact, this group’s decrease in the number of pills taken was only 12 percent (again!) The lead author of the study – Rohit Bhatia, M.D., D.M., D.N.B. – pointed out a financial benefit of yoga as well. The yoga group did not need to purchase as much medication, thereby reducing the treatment costs – what Dr. Bhatia called a “game-changer” for those struggling to afford expensive prescription drugs. Yoga Offers Remarkable Benefits to People With Multiple Other Health Conditions Previous research has shown that yoga can help ease harmful psychological and physical conditions, such as chronic back pain, systemic inflammation, insomnia, and depressive rumination (unhelpful obsessing over real or imagined problems). A relatively recent study has highlighted the ability of yoga to reduce the symptoms of chronic concussion. Chronic concussion symptoms – which include headaches, fatigue, and depression – are sometimes described as the “invisible injury” in brain trauma incidents – and are notoriously difficult to treat. In the first-ever meta-analysis of research on the effects of yoga and mindfulness techniques on chronic concussion symptoms, the authors reported that these natural interventions could significantly cut fatigue and depression while improving cognitive performance and quality of life. The researchers, who called the results “remarkable,” reported that mind-body interventions for mild traumatic brain injury “consistently improved symptoms” in nearly every measured outcome – with no reported adverse effects. The team added that the approach – while not a miracle cure – is a valuable tool that can provide benefits over time. To conduct the review, which was published in Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being, the investigators looked at 22 different studies involving a total of 539 participants. Ward Off Migraines With Natural Techniques and Powerful Nutrients Early interventions may help stop a migraine headache before it takes hold. At the first sign of a migraine – which can involve such diverse symptoms as sudden mood changes, food cravings, frequent yawning, and visual disturbances – experts advise seeking out a quiet, darkened place. Hot compresses applied to the head and neck can sometimes help deter an attack – as can heating pads and warm baths. (Alternately, some migraine sufferers report successfully warding off a migraine with ice-cold compresses). Avoid skipping meals, and steer clear of nicotine, alcohol, and processed foods laden with preservatives and sodium. It’s a good idea to keep a journal to discover what provokes migraines for you – remember: chocolate, aged cheeses, and wine are common culprits. And, getting sufficient exercise can help release serotonin and endorphins, neurochemicals that play a vital role in regulating pain perception. Other natural treatments for migraines include ginger root, valerian, and peppermint. Inhaling the scent of lavender through aromatherapy has also been shown to relieve migraines. Maybe it’s a good time for you and your integrative doctor to discuss the possibility of supplementing your migraine treatments with yoga. After all, it’s simple, accessible, non-invasive, and drug-free. And, in the words of Dr. Bhatia, “All you need is a mat.” Sources for this article include: ScienceDaily.com Wiley.com MayoClinic.org MayoClinic.org To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Toxic Heavy Metal Found in Food and Tobacco Products Being Linked to Higher Risk of Death from Viral Respiratory Illnesses

AHA Publisher — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 08:00:48 +0000

Sara Middleton via NaturalHealth365 – If you know any cigarette smokers in your life, there is no better time than now to encourage them to quit. Why? Because even though there have yet to be specific studies looking at the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on people who smoke, plenty of prior research on other viral diseases suggests that smokers are probably at an increased risk of COVID complications and premature death. This makes intuitive sense, of course; smoking damages your lungs and increases systemic inflammation. But, what many people might not realize is that increased heavy metal exposure is one of the significant smoking risks, too – and unfortunately, even nonsmokers may be risk of it, too. COVID Warning: Toxic Heavy Metal Found in Food and Tobacco Products Being Linked to a Higher Risk of Death from Viral Respiratory Illnesses Cadmium is a naturally occurring metal. And, yes, it’s found in high concentrations within tobacco products as well as other common goods such as, batteries and fertilizer. Because of its widespread presence in the environment, cadmium can easily seep into soil and water via pollution – and therefore leech into plants and animals we eat. Unfortunately, long-term chronic exposure to cadmium increases the risk of health problems including kidney, bone and (notably) lung disease, according to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OHSA). Recently, a team of researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health published the results of their study in Environmental Health Perspectives. They wanted to clarify if and how heavy metal exposure could contribute to severe COVID illness. The researchers had to look to earlier research to support their hypothesis, given the current lack of peer-reviewed studies on heavy metals and COVID-19. To do this, they assessed health data of 16,000 people who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1988-1994 or 1999-2006. Specifically, the researchers looked at cadmium levels in both smokers and nonsmokers from this large sample. After adjusting for factors like age, sex, race, weight, cholesterol, and blood pressure readings, the researchers determined: People with 80 percent higher levels of cadmium than all others were 15 percent more likely to die of the flu or pneumonia compared to people in the bottom 20 percent of cadmium levels Even in nonsmokers, those with the highest levels of cadmium exposure were 27 percent more likely to die of viral infections compared to people with lower levels of the metal Overall, their analysis confirms earlier research showing that exposure to cadmium – whether through food or cigarettes – increases the risk of serious illness or death from the flu and pneumonia. Their research supports the idea that this heavy metal could also be contributing to current pandemic deaths, and that by reducing heavy metal exposure for all people (whether they smokers or not) is an important public health measure. Action Step: Here Are Some of the Foods Most Likely to Absorb Heavy Metals, According to Research Other than not smoking, you might be able to reduce your risk of cadmium exposure by avoiding certain foods known to contain high levels of it. These foods include: Animal organs such as liver and kidneys Soybeans Cereals Rice Leafy veggies including spinach and lettuce Other veggies including carrots, radishes, and zucchini Of course, you don’t have to swear off veggies forever. Other plants, such as cabbage and broccoli, generally have lower levels cadmium yet very high levels of protective antioxidants – so consider working these into your weekly diet more often. The key here is to have a variety of healthy, organic plant-based foods to reduce your overall risk of exposure to heavy metals. Being well-hydrated with clean water (daily) and occasionally doing an effective detoxification program – throughout the year – is not a bad idea either. When it comes to animal-based foods, eat only the highest quality possible from grass-fed or pasture-raised sources. Naturally, there are always pros and cons to every food choice … but, making the effort to eat (and live) better is certainly worth it. Sources for this article include: Studyfinds.org, NIH.gov, NIH.gov, NIH.gov, OHSA.gov, Tandfonline.com, Sciencemag.org To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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Quieting the Storm: Acupuncture Activates Inflammation-Regulating Pathways, Tames Cytokine Storm

AHA Publisher — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 07:00:14 +0000

Harvard Medical School via Newswise – A team of researchers led by neuroscientists at Harvard Medical School has successfully used acupuncture to tame cytokine storm in mice with systemic inflammation. In the study, published Aug. 12 in Neuron, acupuncture activated different signaling pathways that triggered either a pro-inflammatory or an anti-inflammatory response in animals with bacterially induced systemic inflammation. Further, the team found that three factors determined how acupuncture affected response: site, intensity and timing of treatment. Where in the body the stimulation occurred, how strong it was and when the stimulation was administered yielded dramatically different effects on inflammatory markers and survival. The team’s experiments represent a critical step toward defining the neuroanatomical mechanisms underlying acupuncture and offer a roadmap for harnessing the approach for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The scientists caution, however, that before any therapeutic use, the observations must be confirmed in further research—in animals as well as in humans—and the optimal parameters for acupuncture stimulation must be carefully defined. “Our findings represent an important step in ongoing efforts not only to understand the neuroanatomy of acupuncture but to identify ways to incorporate it into the treatment arsenal of inflammatory diseases, including sepsis,” said study principal investigator Qiufu Ma, professor of neurobiology in the Blavatnik (Institute at Harvard Medical School and a researcher at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute). In the study, acupuncture stimulation influenced how animals coped with cytokine storm—the rapid release of large amounts of cytokines, inflammation-fueling molecules. The phenomenon has gained mainstream attention as a complication of severe COVID-19, but this aberrant immune reaction can occur in the setting of any infection and has been long known to physicians as a hallmark of sepsis, an organ-damaging, often-fatal inflammatory response to infection. Sepsis is estimated to affect 1.7 million people in the United States and 30 million people worldwide each year. Acupuncture, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, has recently grown more integrated into Western medicine, particularly for the treatment of chronic pain and gastrointestinal disorders. The approach involves mechanical stimulation of certain points on the body’s surface—known as acupoints. The stimulation purportedly triggers nerve signaling and remotely affects the function of internal organs corresponding to specific acupoints. Yet, the basic mechanisms underlying acupuncture’s action and effect have not been fully elucidated. The new study is an important step in mapping the neuroanatomy of acupuncture, the research team said. As a neurobiologist who studies the fundamental mechanisms of pain, Ma has been curious about the biology of acupuncture for years. He was intrigued by a 2014 paper which showed that using acupuncture in mice could alleviate systemic inflammation by stimulating the vagal-adrenal axis—a signaling pathway in which the vagus nerve carries signals to the adrenal glands—to trigger the glands to release dopamine. Ma’s curiosity was further intensified by work published in 2016 showing that vagus-nerve stimulation tamed the activity of inflammatory molecules and lessened symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. In the current study, researchers used electroacupuncture—a modern version of the traditional manual approach that involves the insertion of ultra-thin needles just under the skin in various areas of the body. Instead of needles, electroacupuncture uses very thin electrodes inserted into the skin and into the connective tissue, offering better control of stimulation intensities. Building on previous research pointing to neurotransmitters’ role in inflammation regulation, the researchers focused on two specific cell types known to secrete them—chromaffin cells that reside in the adrenal glands and noradrenergic neurons that are located in the peripheral nerve system and directly connected to the spleen through an abundance of nerve fibers. Chromaffin cells are the body’s main producers of the stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline and of dopamine, while noradrenergic neurons release noradrenaline. In addition to their well-established functions, adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine, the researchers said, appear to play a role in inflammation response—an observation that’s been borne out in previous research and is now reaffirmed in the experiments of the current study. The team wanted to determine the precise role these nerve cells play in the inflammatory response. To do so, they used a novel genetic tool to ablate chromaffin cells or noradrenergic neurons. This allowed them to compare the response to inflammation in mice with and without these cells to determine just whether and how they were involved in modulating inflammation. The markedly different response in mice with and without such cells conclusively pinpointed these nerve cells as key regulators of inflammation. In one set of experiments, researchers applied low-intensity electroacupuncture (0.5 milliamperes) to a specific point on the hind legs of mice with cytokine storm caused by a bacterial toxin. This stimulation activated the vagus-adrenal axis, inducing secretion of dopamine from the chromaffin cells of the adrenal glands. Animals treated this way had lower levels of three key types of inflammation-inducing cytokines and had greater survival than control mice—60 percent of acupuncture-treated animals survived, compared with 20 percent of untreated animals. Intriguingly, the researchers observed, the vagus-adrenal axis could be activated through hindlimb electroacupuncture but not from abdominal acupoints—a finding that shows the importance of acupoint selectivity in driving specific anti-inflammatory pathways. In another experiment, the team delivered high-intensity electroacupuncture (3 milliamperes) to the same hindleg acupoint as well as to an acupoint on the abdomen of mice with sepsis. That stimulation activated noradrenergic nerve fibers in the spleen. The timing of treatment was critical, the researchers observed. High-intensity stimulation of the abdomen produced markedly different outcomes depending on when treatment occurred. Animals treated with acupuncture immediately before they developed cytokine storm, experienced lower levels of inflammation during subsequent disease and fared better. This preventive measure of high-intensity stimulation increased survival from 20 to 80 percent. By contrast, animals that received acupuncture after disease onset and during the peak of cytokine storm experienced worse inflammation and more severe disease. The findings demonstrate how the same stimulus could produce dramatically different results depending on location, timing and intensity. “This observation underscores the idea that if practiced inappropriately, acupuncture could have detrimental results, which I don’t think is something people necessarily appreciate,” Ma said. If borne out in further work, Ma added, the findings suggest the possibility that electroacupuncture could one day be used as a versatile treatment modality—from adjunct therapy for sepsis in the intensive care unit to more targeted treatment of site-specific inflammation, such as in inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Another possible use, Ma said, would be to help modulate inflammation resulting from cancer immune therapy, which while lifesaving can sometimes trigger cytokine storm due to overstimulation of the immune system. Acupuncture is already used as part of integrative cancer treatment to help patients cope with side effects of chemotherapy and other cancer treatments. To read the original article click here.

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Two Sides of a Coin: Our Own Immune Cells Damage the Integrity of the Blood-Brain Barrier

AHA Publisher — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 08:00:01 +0000

Nagoya University via EurekAlert – The blood-brain barrier is a layer of cells that covers the blood vessels in the brain and regulates the entry of molecules from the blood into the brain. Increases in blood-brain barrier “permeability,” or the extent to which molecules leak through, are observed in several neurological and psychiatric disorders; therefore, understanding the regulation of blood-brain barrier permeability is crucial for developing better therapies for such disorders. In a study recently published in Nature Communications, a research team led by Prof. Hiroaki Wake of Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine shows that microglia — the resident immune cells of the brain — initially protect the blood-brain barrier from damage due to “systemic inflammation,” a condition of chronic inflammation associated with factors like smoking, ageing, and diabetes, and leading to an increased risk of neurodegenerative disorders. However, these same microglia can change their behavior and increase the blood-brain barrier permeability, thereby damaging it. “It has long been known that microglia can become activated due to systemic inflammation,” remarks Prof. Wake, “so we became interested in the question of whether microglia can regulate blood-brain barrier permeability.” To explore this, Prof. Wake’s team worked with mice that were genetically engineered to produce fluorescent proteins in the microglia. This “fluorescent labeling” allowed the investigators to use a technique called “two-photon imaging” to study the interactions of microglia and the blood-brain barrier in living mice. The investigators also injected the mice with fluorescent molecules that can pass through the blood-brain barrier only if the barrier is damaged enough to be sufficiently permeable. By observing the locations of these fluorescent molecules and the interactions of microglia, the research team could study microglial interactions with the blood-brain barrier and the permeability of the blood-brain barrier under various conditions. A key point of interest was the systemic inflammation induced by injecting the mice with an inflammation-inducing substance. Such injections resulted in the movement of microglia to the blood vessels and increased the permeability of the blood-brain barrier within a few days. Then, the microglia initially acted to protect the blood-brain barrier and limit increases in permeability, but as inflammation progressed, the microglia reversed their behavior by attacking the components of the blood-brain barrier, thus increasing the barrier’s permeability. The subsequent leakage of molecules into the brain had the potential to cause widespread inflammation in the brain and consequent damage to neurons (cells of the nerves). These results clearly show that microglia play a dual role in regulating the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. In describing his team’s future research objectives, Prof. Wake comments, “We aim to identify therapeutic targets on the microglia for regulating blood-brain barrier permeability, because drugs designed for such targets can be used to treat neurological and psychiatric diseases by curbing inflammatory responses in the brain.” As the scientists note in their study, uncontrolled inflammatory responses in the brain can cause a range of cognitive disorders and adverse neurological effects, and drugs that target microglia may help patients avoid such problems by preserving the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. More studies are required to understand more about the processes underlying the microglial behaviors observed in this study. Nevertheless, the study’s results offer hope for the development of therapies that could “force” microglia to promote blood-brain barrier integrity and prevent microglia from transitioning to behaviors that damage the barrier. To read the original article click here.

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