Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators: Getting Rid of Chronic Inflammation (geneticlifehacks.com)
This is a very good article concerning out of control inflammation which is major problem that cascades in to more complex issues.
Here is a snippet, the link above has the complete article.
Chronic inflammation is due to lack of resolution
Currently, if you go to the doctor with a disease that is caused by chronic inflammation, you will often be prescribed an anti-inflammatory medication. Something to block the formation of inflammatory cytokines, such as NSAIDs or leukotriene inhibitors.
For example, TNF-alpha is an inflammatory cytokine that elevates in rheumatoid arthritis. Medications that block TNF, such as anti-TNF antibodies, are used to decrease the symptoms in RA. But the side effects include a suppressed immune system that makes patients more susceptible to pathogens.
But why does TNF-alpha stay elevated in RA? One big part of the picture seems to be an inadequate or insufficient resolution of the inflammation.
As one research study puts it: “While it was previously thought that passive disappearance of proinflammatory factors was sufficient for the cessation of inflammation, it is now known that the resolution of acute inflammation (or inflammation-resolution) is an active and highly coordinated process. Inflammation resolution is governed by a panoply of endogenous factors that include SPMs, protein/peptide mediators such as annexin A1 and interleukin 10, gases such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide, and nucleotides such as adenosine and inosine.”[ref]. (We are sticking to just talking about SPMs here, but keep in mind that as in-depth as SPMs are, there is still more to the topic.)
SPMs (specialized pro-resolving mediators) are not only important in halting the inflammatory response, but they also “orchestrate the clearance of tissue pathogens, dying cells, and debris from the battlefield of infectious inflammation.”[ref]
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