quote:Because many of the symptoms of Lyme disease involve the nervous system, it was speculated that the spirochete produced a toxin that disrupted normal nerve function. Through the use of DNA manipulations and a database of known protein toxin DNA sequences, a match was made with a selected Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb) gene and a specific toxin in the database. Protein generated from this cloned Bb gene was examined biochemically and found to have characteristics similar to that of botulinum, the toxin of Clostridium botulinum, a zinc endoproteinase.
quote: The action of botulinum (as well as the toxin from the Lyme spirochete) is to prevent, through its action as a proteolytic enzyme, the release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine.
quote:[Acetylcholine] is biosynthesized by the body as required in nerve activation and transmission. Supplementation by the precursors of acetylcholine synthesis would be of value to Lyme patients since they have a deficiency of this substance.
If the inhibition of acetylcholine release were total, Lyme patients and those suffering from food poisoning would not be able to move; they would be completely paralyzed. Since the blockage is only partial, any increase in the amount of available neurotransmitter would benefit anyone experiencing neurotransmitter blockage. For this reason, dietary supplements increasing the amount of available acetylcholine have been shown to benefit Lyme patients.
Food poisoning. That is how I have described the toxic 'episodes' I have experienced over the past year and a half! Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
From the same article
quote:Nitrous Oxide (NO), A Potential Lyme Therapeutic Agent Nitrous oxide (chemical formula NO) is a gas, at one time commonly used as an anesthetic (laughing gas). In more recent times, the biochemical activity of NO has been related to the relaxation of the small muscle fibers in the walls of blood vessels. They serve to either relax or constrict the flow of blood passing through those vessels. The mechanism of NO bioactivity has also been learned; this involves the substance c-GMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate). The amount of c-GMP at any time is regulated by the enzyme, phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5), having the capacity to destroy it. c- GMP fits into a cavity on the surface of PDE-5, the "active site" of this enzyme. Any other substance capable of being bound by the active site of PDE-5 inhibits the activity of the enzyme by blocking the entry of c-GMP, thus allowing a greater survival of c-GMP. To summarize, any inhibitor of PDE-5 allows an increase in the amount of available c-GMP and consequent relaxation of blood vessels, permitting a greater flow of blood through those vessels.10
It has been demonstrated that NO is toxic to Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative organism of Lyme disease.11 Therefore, any inhibitor of PDE-5 is a potential therapeutic agent for Lyme disease. Inhibitors of PDE-5 in common use today are the drugs sildenafil (more commonly known as Viagra), Levitra, and Cialis. Whether these drugs act therapeutically against the Lyme spirochete has not been demonstrated clinically and remains unknown.
This reminds me of Marnie's discussions, but doesn't seem to address quite the same terms. Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
From the same article
quote:Inhibitors of the Lyme Spirochete Toxin A large amount of work is being conducted today in an effort to uncover more inhibitors of the Lyme spirochete toxin. One known inhibitor of toxin activity is the substance glycyrrhizic acid (GA), the active principle of licorice root, used in Oriental medicine for thousands of years.12 GA is also the active principle of the American Biologics product, Biorizin�. The molecular structure of GA includes a steroid with large bulky substituents. Being a large molecule, GA is capable of binding into the active site of the toxin, thereby blocking the normal substrate, two adjacent amino acids in the protein SNAP-25.
Plain licorice root tinctures have been very helpful to some people. Do these work the same? Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
From the same article
quote: Lyme-Induced Arthritis Linked to Various Strains of Bb It has been noted clinically that some Lyme-induced arthritis patients are affected by the disease to different degrees. A laboratory study demonstrated that different strains of Bb were capable of activating to various degrees a particular enzyme (matrix metalloproteinase) found in human synoviocytes. These cells are found in the synovial fluid of joints and form some of the substances found in this fluid. Matrix metalloproteinases are proteolytic enzymes capable of degrading most of the proteins in the extracellular matrix. Different strains of Bb activate these proteases to varying degrees, explaining variations seen clinically in the severity of Lyme-induced arthritis. To date, more than 50 strains of Bb have been identified.
So people with some strains of Bb get joint problems and and those with other strains don't? Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
From the same article
quote: Similarity Between DNA Sequences of Brain Tissue and Bb OspA
DNA sequences of Bb outer surface protein A (OspA) compared with a data bank of DNA sequences of human neural tissue yielded three sequences that were identical. The three corresponding Bb peptides were synthesized, and antibodies were induced against them. The antibodies cross-reacted with human neural tissues.
These findings imply that antibodies developed by Lyme disease patients against OspA will also bind to their own neural tissue, representing a form of autoimmune disease in which a person's immune system attacks his own tissues.
If our immune system's antibodies bind to our own brain tissues this will not be good. We need really discerning antibodies! Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
From the same article
quote: Carbohydrates Consumed by Lyme Spirochete An effort to determine which carbohydrates Bb consumes revealed that the organism utilizes the monosaccharides glucose, mannose and N-acetylglucosamine, as well as the disaccharides maltose and chitobiose. A popular treatment for arthritis includes the administration of chondroitin sulfate and N-acetylglucosamine. If the arthritis is Lyme-induced, N-acetylglucosamine is contraindicated.
We are feeding glucosamine to the Bb? Yikes! Posted by shazdancer (Member # 1436) on :
Thanks for the link, Ruth. Perhaps it explains why glucosamine didn't help my arthritis at all.
Posted by clairenotes (Member # 10392) on :
Strange that I saw this article not long ago...
There is a lot of valuable information here, and I like the way it has been organized.
Thank you.
Claire
Posted by Vermont_Lymie (Member # 9780) on :
Thanks Ruth for the great information to digest (along with my acetylcholine precursors!). This is helpful. Posted by Beverly (Member # 1271) on :
Great informaiton Ruth, thank you for posting it!
huggss to all... Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
Trying to break info into small enough 'bites' and but the complexity makes that almost impossible. The article (quoted above) really had some interesting information.
The item that is the most difficult for me is the idea of "feeding" the Bb. I've read that we need to keep taking what feeds it because we need the nutrients even more so because it is like we are eating for ourselves and for the pathogens. Maybe this is different. I know that I've got to have the increased amounts of Magnesium. But the glucosamine? I don't know.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Interesting diagrams, Ruth --
This issue of eating for ourselves and the pathogens -- hm --
Am wondering if our own symptom abatement response is any indication that we're helping ourself more than the pathogen?
My example: many years ago, I took 200mg malic acid and magnesium, and got instant fantastic energy -- ie, moved from the slow lane of the swimming pool to the fast lane. Wouldn't that indicate the magnesium helped me more than the Bb?
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
Sounds like a good theory to me. I sure wish I knew more!
One of my problems is that I've never been able to memorize lists of strange words and so biology was way too hard. Chemistry I managed to struggle through because numbers have always been my friends (math) ... allowing my lousy vocabulary misfirings to only pull my grades down somewhat.
And, yes, I love diagrams too. Now if we could get Marnie's knowledge base (brain) into pictures for the rest of us!!!
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
Cave,
Is this medline article about licorice the food or licorice root the herb? I think I'm up too late and couldn't decide.
Posted by debbiet (Member # 10608) on :
Ruth-
I remember GiGi having a discussion on nitrous oxide a few months ago. I really have to wipe away the cobwebs in my brain to remember chemistry.. It's been so many years since I hung it all up to be Mom.
Deb
Posted by lou (Member # 81) on :
Parasites in the broad sense have reduced their own producing capacity for certain required nutrients and rely on the host for them. So, if you stop taking all the things that a parasite needs, you will hurt yourself as well as the parasite. This is why I am still taking glucosamine (and vitamins). It does help my arthritis, in a dose dependent way.
Posted by clairenotes (Member # 10392) on :
Regarding Nitrous Oxide...
I believe there were discussions about Far Infrared Saunas and NO back in October, maybe. There was agreement that saunas increased NO, but disagreement as to when they should be introduced, i.e., a possible need to sequence after metal detoxing.
Search Far Infrared Sauna and NO for more information if interested.
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
Cave,
I am so in agreement with you. You can't be too careful about adding potent herbs and even foods without understanding the known contraindications, etc.
Part of the pain of this battle with the neuro issues is how it is impairing my ability to to something I truly love: detailed research... so that I am well informed before I take a new idea to my health care providers .
So, back to the original article:
quote:Inhibitors of the Lyme Spirochete Toxin A large amount of work is being conducted today in an effort to uncover more inhibitors of the Lyme spirochete toxin. One known inhibitor of toxin activity is the substance glycyrrhizic acid (GA), the active principle of licorice root, used in Oriental medicine for thousands of years. GA is also the active principle of the American Biologics product, Biorizin�. The molecular structure of GA includes a steroid with large bulky substituents. Being a large molecule, GA is capable of binding into the active site of the toxin, thereby blocking the normal substrate, two adjacent amino acids in the protein SNAP-25.
These doctors are actually using the GA (the dangerous part) to try to bind to the toxins so they don't bind to us.
Hopefully, they are keeping good watch over their patients to insure they aren't having any of the negative 'side-effects.'
If it works, it sounds like it blocks the toxins from giving the 'herx' symptoms.
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
Research result:
quote:Glycyrrhizic acid in liquorice--evaluation of health hazard.
* Stormer FC, * Reistad R, * Alexander J.
National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Literature on case reports, clinical studies and biochemical mechanisms of the sweet-tasting compound glycyrrhizic acid in liquorice was critically reviewed to provide a safety assessment of its presence in liquorice sweets. A high intake of liquorice can cause hypermineralocorticoidism with sodium retention and potassium loss, oedema, increased blood pressure and depression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. As a consequence, a number of other clinical symptoms have also been observed. Glycyrrhizic acid is hydrolysed in the intestine to the pharmacologically active compound glycyrrhetic acid, which inhibits the enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (in the direction of cortisol to cortisone) as well as some other enzymes involved in the metabolism of corticosteroids. Inhibition of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase leads to increased cortisol levels in the kidneys and in other mineralocorticoid-selective tissues. Since cortisol, which occurs in much larger amounts than aldosterone, binds with the same affinity as aldosterone to the mineralocorticoid receptor, the result is a hypermineralocorticoid effect of cortisol. The inhibitory effect on 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is reversible; however, the compensatory physiological mechanisms following hypermineralocorticoidism (e.g. depression of the renin-angiotensin system) may last several months. It is not possible, on the basis of existing data, to determine precisely the minimum level of glycyrrhizic acid required to produce the described symptoms. There is apparently a great individual variation in the susceptibility to glycyrrhizic acid. In the most sensitive individuals a regular daily intake of no more than about 100 mg glycyrrhizic acid, which corresponds to 50 g liquorice sweets (assuming a content of 0.2% glycyrrhizic acid), seems to be enough to produce adverse effects. Most individuals who consume 400 mg glycyrrhizic acid daily experience adverse effects. Considering that a regular intake of 100 mg glycyrrhizic acid/day is the lowest-observed-adverse-effect level and using a safety factor of 10, a daily intake of 10 mg glycyrrhizic acid would represent a safe dose for most healthy adults. A daily intake of 1-10 mg glycyrrhizic acid/person has been estimated for several countries. However, an uneven consumption pattern suggests that a considerable number of individuals who consume large amounts of liquorice sweets are exposed to the risk of developing adverse effects.
PMID: 8386690 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
As a side note, when I first had a rash in November of 2005, the dermatologist wanted to put me on prednisone. I declined, but the rashes were not going away, so I started on a very small course on Dec 26th. That same day I started to lose all energy and slept most of a week. On the 30th I went to the E.R. with dizziness, rapid pulse, etc. They decided it was dehydration. After research, I decided it was a potassium depletion problem from the prednisone. Note in the quote above, the glycyrrhizic acid can have the same effect.
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
Bio-Rizin by American Biologics Each 1 ml contains: 8.3 mg Glycyrrhizic Acid Sodium Salt (approx. 20 drops=1 ml). Other ingredients: Distilled water, methylparaben.
Suggested use: As a dietary supplement for adults, 5-20 drops one to three times daily or as directed by a qualified health care professional.
Product Description: The only oral liquid glycyrrhizin product on the market to date. Glycyrrhizin (derived from licorice) has been helpful with viruses as it exhibits a natural nontoxic cortisone-like effect. Glycyrrhizin has been employed at AB-Mexico to help manage tissue overloads from viruses and Candida. Glycyrrhizin has been reported to inhibit histamine release from antigen- stimulated mast cells, thereby making it an important tool in the management of intolerances. Pleasant tasting.
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
This information about actions and safe dosages of the glycyrrhizic acid (GA), the 'active principle of licorice root' from PubMed/MEDLINE really was interesting to me.
Don't you think the amounts used in herbal remedies would be far smaller amounts (since they use the whole herb)?
Seems like something worth doing research on if it can bind to the toxins that produce 'herx' symptoms.
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
I'm happy to seeing you smiling so much Cave .
Posted by on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)