Topic: Bb and mercury exposed mice showed less severe arthritis but delayed eradication of B
TerryK
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Member # 8552
posted
Clin Exp Immunol. 2007 Aug 2;
Mercury exposure as a model for deviation of cytokine responses in experimental Lyme arthritis: HgCl(2) treatment decreases T helper cell type 1-like responses and arthritis severity but delays eradication of Borrelia burgdorferi in C3H/HeN mice.
Ekerfelt C, Andersson M, Olausson A, Bergstr�m S, Hultman P.
Division of Clinical Immunology, and Unit of Autoimmunity and Immune Regulation, Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University Hospital, Link�ping, Sweden.
Lyme borreliosis is a complex infection, where some individuals develop so-called 'chronic borreliosis'. The pathogenetic mechanisms are unknown, but the type of immune response is probably important for healing. A strong T helper cell type 1 (Th1)-like response has been suggested as crucial for eradication of Borrelia and for avoiding development of chronic disease.
Many studies aimed at altering the Th1/Th2 balance in Lyme arthritis employed mice deficient in cytokine genes, but the outcome has not been clear-cut, due possibly to the high redundancy of cytokines.
This study aimed at studying the importance of the Th1/Th2 balance in murine Borrelia arthritis by using the Th2-deviating effect of subtoxic doses of inorganic mercury. Ninety-eight C3H/HeN mice were divided into four groups: Borrelia-infected (Bb), Borrelia-infected exposed to HgCl(2) (BbHg), controls exposed to HgCl(2) alone and normal controls. Mice were killed on days 3, 16, 44 and 65 post-Borrelia inoculation.
Arthritis severity was evaluated by histology, spirochaetal load determined by Borrelia culture, IgG2a- and IgE-levels analysed by enzyme-linked immunosorbemt assay (ELISA) and cytokine-secreting cells detected by enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT).
BbHg mice showed less severe histological arthritis, but delayed eradication of spirochaetes compared to Bb mice, associated with increased levels of IgE (Th2-induced) and decreased levels of IgG2a (Th1-induced), consistent with a Th2-deviation. Both the numbers of Th1 and Th2 cytokine-secreting cells were reduced in BbHg mice, possibly explained by the fact that numbers of cytokine-secreting cells do not correlate with cytokine concentration.
In conclusion, this study supports the hypothesis that a Th1-like response is required for optimal eradication of Borrelia.
PMID: 17672870 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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Greatcod
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"by using the Th2-deviating effect of subtoxic doses of inorganic mercury"
That the mercury was at sub toxic levels certainly supports the alternative treatment view. Where does it end???
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TerryK
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Good point Greatcod.
I really do not want to have to deal with mercury and other metals but after 13 months of abx treatment, I'm not seeing nearly the improvement my doctor and I expected. I have had some improvements but in some ways I am feeling more debilitated than when we started.
If after co-infection treatment, I don't see big improvements, I think I'll tackle this and then go the IV abx route. At least then maybe the IV's will do some good.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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quote:Originally posted by TerryK: Good point Greatcod.
I really do not want to have to deal with mercury and other metals but after 13 months of abx treatment, I'm not seeing nearly the improvement my doctor and I expected. I have had some improvements but in some ways I am feeling more debilitated than when we started.
If after co-infection treatment, I don't see big improvements, I think I'll tackle this and then go the IV abx route. At least then maybe the IV's will do some good.
Terry
I'm in the same situation as you. I have decided to get tested for mercury and I am going to start detoxing metals. I don't know if I should stop the antibiotics while I do this or not.
TerryK
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posted
ChrisBtheLymie, I missed that other post but I guess it can't hurt to have posted it again since it seems so important. I plan to at least take this to my fibro doctor.
I'm sorry you are in the same situation as I am in. My LLMD tested metals after our first appointment and recommended that I deal with them while on abx. My fibro doctor was not happy about that and after research I noted that one can get very sick and cause more problems if metal chelation is not done correctly. Also, the expense is a big concern for me.
I'm torn at this point but feel that I must seriously consider this possibility. This is the first study that I've seen that is specific to Bb and mercury so that seems significant.
Good luck. I hope you feel better soon.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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quote:Originally posted by TerryK: ChrisBtheLymie, I missed that other post but I guess it can't hurt to have posted it again since it seems so important. I plan to at least take this to my fibro doctor.
I'm sorry you are in the same situation as I am in. My LLMD tested metals after our first appointment and recommended that I deal with them while on abx. My fibro doctor was not happy about that and after research I noted that one can get very sick and cause more problems if metal chelation is not done correctly. Also, the expense is a big concern for me.
I'm torn at this point but feel that I must seriously consider this possibility. This is the first study that I've seen that is specific to Bb and mercury so that seems significant.
Good luck. I hope you feel better soon.
Terry
I know and chelating metals is not an easy job either. What were the results of you're metals test when you were first tested? I am afraid about not chelating metals correctly, or if it makes me even worse, but my LLMD doesn't think or address the heavy metal issue so I am on my own. Posts: 263 | From UK | Registered: Mar 2006
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TerryK
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Member # 8552
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ChrisBtheLymie, Both mercury and lead were elevated - above what one would expect to see according to the urine toxic metals test via a DMSA challenge.
My fibro doc ran a blood test for toxic metals and it was normal. To be expected in my opinion since blood levels would indicate acute poisoning and mine is not an acute poisoning but an accumulation in tissues and bones.
I had considerable lead exposure as a child so the elevated lead did not surprise me. After research, I found that lead is stored in the bone and as one ages, it is released into the body and can cause a lot of problems, especially cognitive but other things as well.
My LLMD is pretty emphatic that when bugs are killed, they release metals and we must get rid of them or they will cause problems. I have been under the care of a naturopathic doctor who has me taking NAC for binding metals. From what I've read, cholestyramine will also bind them to some degree and I'm on that too.
Now, given my treatment response and this study, I will likely pursue the issue further. I have no doubt that lyme is an issue for me as well as babesia and bartonella but I'm concerned that I'm having so much difficulty getting rid of lyme due to toxic metals. I've seen older studies that show that metals and bacteria have a relationship that make some bacteria resistant to abx. These were environmental studies though, not on animals or humans. I think there was also a study on monkeys that showed the same thing but cannot remember all the details. There were also human studies on children that refuted the notion.
Another concern, metal poisoning can mimic lyme symptoms according to ILADS guidelines.
http://www.guideline.gov/summary/summary.aspx?doc_id=4836&nbr=3481&string=lyme "The differential diagnosis of Lyme disease requires consideration of both infectious and noninfectious etiologies. Among noninfectious causes are thyroid disease, degenerative arthritis, metabolic disorders (vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes), heavy metal toxicity, vasculitis, and primary psychiatric disorders."
Dr. K. seems to have considerable experience with metal chelation. His office is a little over 200 miles from me so I may consider seeing him. It would be very difficult due to more travel (we already must fly to see LLMD) AND money but I really am worried about possible affects of incorrect removal of metals so it may be worth it.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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My LLMD tested metals after our first appointment and recommended that I deal with them while on abx. My fibro doctor was not happy about that and after research I noted that one can get very sick and cause more problems if metal chelation is not done correctly. Also, the expense is a big concern for me.
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