Skip to main content

Neuroinflammation and Cytokines in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

This is a nice overview of M.E. which covers the neurological system (neuro inflammation) and some of the latest findings. Here is an excerpt from the article:

Inflammation Neurocircuitry

Many patients with ME/CFS report having experienced a viral or bacterial infection directly prior to the onset of their illness [e.g., (1014)]. This has led researchers to investigate the hypothesis that resulting inflammation may be a mechanism by which this syndrome occurs [e.g., (9); (6)]. Given the putative centrality of neuroinflammation in ME/CFS, dysregulation in peripheral immune system to nervous system inflammation pathways should be a target for hypotheses and research [e.g., (15)].
When an inflammatory response occurs in the periphery, the brain is alerted to the presence of inflammation-associated molecules such as proinflammatory cytokines circulating in blood. While new potential neuroimmune pathways are still being discovered [e.g., (16)], we know of three ways in which this alert can occur. Immune proteins such as cytokines will:
1) be actively transported across the blood-brain barrier (BBB),
2) passively diffuse through the BBB via circumventricular organs if present in high enough concentrations, or
3) be detected by chemoreceptors in the afferent (sensory) vagus nerve, which synapses in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) of dorsal brainstem (1721).
You can read the remainder of the article here:

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Dementia Research

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor so I cannot diagnose or offer treatments, I am sharing this information that is considered educational. Much of the research on dementia/Alzheimer's is centered on what is referred to as Tight Junction Proteins. These are proteins that act like clamps that hold tissues together in terms of neurological, these "clamps" hold the blood vessels together. And when the tight junction proteins become damaged, the blood vessels begin to "leak".  Science refers the tight junction proteins as barrier as in the blood brain barrier. They will also refer to as barrier integrity. AI says this:  Tight junction proteins are vital for various physiological processes, including the formation of barriers in the brain (blood-brain barrier), intestines, and other tissues. They also play a role in disease mechanisms when their function is disrupted. The barrier function occurs in the blood vessels, and they think that when they leak, this is affecting co...

Microbiome SCFAs & AutoImmunity

  Does SCFA impact immune and inflammatory pathways? Show thinking Yes, absolutely! Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) are major players in controlling immune and inflammatory pathways, both within the gut and systemically. This is one of the most significant and exciting areas of research on SCFAs. Here's how they exert their control: Interaction with G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs): GPR41 and GPR43: These are the most well-studied SCFA receptors, found on various cell types throughout the body, including immune cells (e.g., neutrophils, macrophages, T cells), gut epithelial cells, and adipocytes. When SCFAs (particularly acetate, propionate, and butyrate) bind to these receptors, they trigger intracellular signaling pathways that can influence immune cell function, cytokine production, and inflammatory responses. Histone Deacetylase (HDAC) Inhibition: Butyrate (and to a lesser extent propionate) are potent inhibitors of HDACs. HDACs are enzymes that modify histones, proteins aro...
You can buy most of this at Kroger's, I listed the pictures below. The idea is that you are targeting the gut, the microbiome to be exact. I am not going to list out all the studies but they have discovered that the right bacteria in the gut can change a lot of things including metabolic, neurological, immune responses, weight gain and many other things.  Increasing the good bacteria such as bifidobacteria etc. can also suppress the bad bacteria which have been linked to numerous problems.  There are products that you can buy on Amazon and these will also support the microbiome by giving the nutrients they need.  Kroger's has the ones in the pictures below, you will find the Cleveland Kraut in the refrigerated section and so is the Kefir. Both of these are live foods meaning they contain the good bacteria. Sauerkraut as canned does not work since there are no live organisms.  You will have to experiment with the doses; I do a couple of tablespoons of the kraut and ju...