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Inflammation

Polymyositis is clearly an inflammatory disease, and responds to therapy directed towards inflammation. (Christopher-Stine, Plotz 2004) [1.]

Cytokines

Cytokines are "A small protein released by cells that has a specific effect on the interactions between cells, on communications between cells or on the behavior of cells. The cytokines includes the interleukins, lymphokines and cell signal molecules, such as tumor necrosis factor and the interferons, which trigger inflammation and respond to infections." (MedTerms)

It is these small proteins that are implicated in triggering the inflammation reactions and the imbalance of interleukins and tumor necrosis factor in polymyositis.

Read more about cytokines...

 

Nitric Oxide (NO)

The role of nitric oxide in perpetuating chronic inflammation has been discussed. "Evidence is accumulating that in general, RNS {reactive nitrogen species}drive inflammation and cancers associated with inflammation." (Hofseth 2008) [2.]

"Nitric oxide production is increased in patients with inflammatory myositis." (Wanchu, Khullar, Sud et al 1999) [3.]

Alpha lipoic acid

A number of studies show benefits of alpha lipoic acid in reducing systemic inflammation. This may be due to its action in reducing TNFa expression, which has been well established to decrease muscle function through protein loss and contractile disfunction (Reid, Li 2002) [4.]

α-Lipoic acid inhibits TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation and adhesion molecule expression in human aortic endothelial cells. (Zhang, Frei 2001).[5.]

Alpha-lipoicacid inhibits TNF-α induced NF-κB activation through blocking of MEKK1–MKK4–IKK signaling cascades. (Lee, Lee, Kim et al. 2007) [6.]

ALA may prove useful in treating MS by inhibiting MMP-9 activity and interfering with T-cell migration into the CNS. (Yadav, Maracci et al. 2006) [7.]

Aloes

Aloes posseses a chronic anti-inflammatory activity. It is useful for calming a wide variety of types of inflammation, and when ingested is a valuable source of interesting glyconutrients. Aloes is easy to take and relatively economical, and without many contra-indications or side effects. Click here to read more about aloes...

WF10 (Immunokine, Macrokine)

WF10 is a powerful immunomodulator. WF10 is a chlorite-based drug that modulates macrophages functional states and can be safely administered to humans. WF10 potentially modulates disease-related up-regulation of immune responses both in vitro and in vivo. Thus immune response is influenced in a way that inappropriate inflammatory reactions are downregulated. (Schemppa, Reimb 2001)[8.] Read more about WF10...

 

  1. Christopher-Stine L, Plotz P. Inflammatory Myopathies Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology Volume 18, Issue 3, Pages 331-344, June 2004 as found at http://www.bprclinrheum.com/article/S1521-6942(04)00035-X/abstract.
  2. Hofseth, L. Nitric oxide as a target of complementary and alternative medicines to prevent and treat inflammation and cancer. Cancer Letters Volume 268, Issue 1 , Pages 10-30, 8 September 2008, as found at http://www.cancerletters.info/article/S0304-3835(08)00230-9/abstract.
  3. Wanchu A, Khullar M, Sud A, et al. Nitric oxide production is increased in patients with inflammatory myositis. Nitric Oxide. 1999 Dec;3(6):454-8, as found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10637123.
  4. Reid M, Li Y Cytokines and oxidative signalling in skeletal muscle. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica Volume 171, Issue 3, pages 225–232, March 2001as found at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1046/j.1365-201x.2001.00824.x/abstract
  5. Zhang WJ, Frie B. α-Lipoic acid inhibits TNF-α-induced NF-κB activation and adhesion molecule expression in human aortic endothelial cells. The FASEB Journal vol. 15 no. 13 2423-2432. Found at www.fasebj.org/content/15/13/2423.short
  6. Lee CK, Lee EY, Kim YG et al. Alpha-lipoicacid inhibits TNF-α induced NF-κB activation through blocking of MEKK1–MKK4–IKK signaling cascades. International Immunopharmacology Volume 8, Issue 2, Feb. 2008, 362–370. Found at www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567576907003396.
  7. Yadav V, Marracci G, Lovera J et al. Lipoic acid in multiple sclerosis: a pilot study Mult Scler vol. 11 no. 2 159-165 found at http://msj.sagepub.com/content/11/2/159.short.
  8. Harald Schemppa H, Manfred Reimb M, Dornisch K et al. Chlorite-Hemoprotein Interaction as Key Role for the Pharmacological Activity of the Chlorite-based Drug WF10. Arzneimittelforschung 2001; 51(7): 554-562 found at www.thieme-connect.com/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/s-0031-1300079