Fighting Inflammation

It is a question of balance.

Histamine, Cytokines and Proteoglycans

Mast cells are special white blood cells that live at many sites in our body. Those sites include:

• nose
• mouth
• feet
• stomach
• small intestines
• blood vessels

On the surface of mast cells sit molecules called immunoglobulin E. The immunoglobulin E has been created by B cells as a reaction to a foreign molecule. The immunoglobulin E is like a lock waiting for the key. If it comes in contact with its key (the foreign molecule) it signals the mast cell to break open and spill out its inflammatory chemicals- histamine and cytokines.

Histamine

Histamine attaches to cells and causes the eicosanoids to be created inside the cell. The eicosanoids are transported out of the cell and then attach to the outside of other cells. The effect of all these reactions from histamine include the following:

• Allergy symptoms such as hives, pain and itching.
• Breathing problems such as wheezing as it reduces the size of the airways (bronchoconstriction).
• Hay fever symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes.
• Anaphylactic shock symptoms such as low blood pressure and closing of the airways.
• Histamine is also in your brain (not in mast cells) and helps you stay awake. This is why anti-histamines make you sleepy.

Cytokines

Cytokines are small proteins with a big role in producing and silencing inflammation. They are produced by many different cells in our body.

• Cytokines are grouped into families. In every family some are inflammatory and some are anti-inflammatory.
• They usually act locally to attract white blood cells like T-cells, B-cells and natural killer cells.
• Cytokines include Interleukins, Interferon, and Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF).

Interleukins are a major family of cytokines produced by white blood cells.

• Interleukin 1, 6 and 8 defends against bacterial infection and trauma.
• Interleukin 2, 4 and 5 helps develop T and B cells and is involved in allergies.
• Interleukin 17 encourages cells to produce more cytokines
• Interleukin 1Ra, 4, 6, 10, 11, 13 and 24 are anti-inflammatory.
• Interleukin 12 and 23 are inflammatory & associated with psoriasis.
• Interleukin 1, 6, 8, and GM-CSF are inflammatory & associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha, (TNFa)

• Interleukin 1 and 6 are increased by Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha(TNFa).
• TNF reaching the hypothalmus can cause fever and loss of appetite.
• TNF in local cells can cause swelling, redness and pain.
• TNF in the liver can increase C-reactive protein.
• TNF attracts neutrophils, a short-lived, White blood cell,
  first on the scene that eats foreign bacteria.
• TNF attracts macrophages, a type white blood cell, second on the
  scene to move in and eat foreign cells.
• TNF causes macrophages to release cytokine Interleukin 1
  and eicosanoid, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).
• TNF and interferon attracts natural killer cells, a type white
  blood cells, that lives in blood and lymph, secretes interferon (IFN) which causes cancer and virus infected cells to burst.

Proteoglycans

Proteoglycans are also produced by the mast cells, but they are not inflammatory. They are large and small compounds that hook protein to long chains of sugar (glucose). Some proteoglycans and their location:

• Aggrecan and decorin in cartilage
• Biglycan in bone, cartilage and tendon,plays in role in bone mineralization
• Versican in blood vessels,skin, and nerves
• Fibromodulin and lumican in cartilage, tendons and ligaments

They do the following:

• The act as filler material.
• They use glucosamine, heparin, keratin, chondroitin and dermatan sulfate compounds.
• They help cytokines move between cells.
• They attach to collagen.

The compounds in certain foods can effect the cells that produce eicosanoids, histamine, cytokines and TNF. Visit the Food Gallery or return Home