Biological Defense Systems

A proliferant would require some type of BW defensive capability for protection during employment and defense against a counterattack. Vaccines are possible but the agent must be known (requires lead time for full protection). Detection and identification are key to determine appropriate defensive measures to take after an attack. A mask is sufficient to prevent a majority of biological agents from infecting personnel. Biotechnology offers potential for enhanced protection in the future. 

Vaccines can be produced by any country with a pharmaceutical indusity. Equipment can be purchased on the open market since it is all dual use. Protective masks are made in many countries. A simple dust mask could provide significant protection as long as it was worn when being exposed to the biological agent. 

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The ORAC assay proposed by Ou and others (2001) is limited to hydrophilic antioxidants because of the aqueous environment of the assay. However, lipophilic antioxidants play a critical role in biological defense systems. Huang and others (2002) expanded the assay to the lipidic fraction by introducing a randomly methylated 13-cyclodextrin (RMCD) as a water-solubility enhancer for lipophilic antioxidants. Various kinds of foods, including fruit juices and drinks, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and dried fruits, have been evaluated with this method (Zhou and Yu 2006 Wu and others 2004 Kevers and others 2007 Wang and Ballington 2007 Almeida and others 2008 Mullen and others 2007). 

The biological defense systems protecting against oxidative damage and its consequences are summarized below. 

Malatesta ML. Major, Chemical Corps, US Army. Deputy Program Director, Office of the Program Director for Biological Defense Systems, US Army Chemical and Biological Defense Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. Personal communication, June 1996. 

Many experts believe that the major causes of chronic diseases come from genetics, lifestyles, and age. Each of us has a different and unique genetic makeup—a broad variance has evolved in biological defense systems with our individual bodies exhibiting strengths in some areas and weaknesses in other areas. This means that not everyone reacts to a chronic toxic exposure in the same way. Some people may fend off the toxic effects, while others may exhibit symptoms early. Thus, there may be a spectrum of responses to an exposure. 

Biological Antioxidant Models. Tea extracts, tea polyphenol fractions, and purified catechins have all been shown to be effective antioxidants in biologically-based model systems. A balance between oxidants and antioxidants is critical for maintenance of homeostasis. Imbalances between free radicals and antioxidants may be caused by an increased production of free radicals or decreased effectiveness of the antioxidants within the reaction system. These imbalances can be caused by the radicals overwhelming the antioxidants within the system, or by an excess of antioxidants leading to a prooxidant functionaHty (105—118). When antioxidant defense systems are consistently overwhelmed by oxidative reactions, significant damage can... 

PM Bio Det Biological Integrated Detection System. Joint Program Joint Program Executive Office, Chemical Biological Defense. Currently available at http //www.jpeocbd.osd.mil/ca bids.htm. 

Overproduction of ROS can be harmful. Thus, cells have developed a complex antioxidant defense system to counteract the biological potential of ROS formation [213],... 

Quinazoline alkaloids are known as biologically active compounds. Arborine inhibits the peripheral action of acetylcholine and induces a fall in blood pressure. Febrifugine is an anti-malarial agent and vasicine acts as a uterine stimulant. Glomerin and homoglomerin are alkaloids of the defensive system in some organisms (e.g., in the glomerid millipede). 

The tissue-level (histological) defense systems are composed primarily of the skin and the mucous membranes mucosa) that line the airways, mouth, and other portions of the gastrointestinal system. Healthy, intact skin is probably the most important barrier against chemical or biological insults. 

Jansson B, Andersson R, Asplund L, et al. 1993. Chlorinated and brominated persistant organic compounds in biological samples from the environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 12(7) 1163-1174. JaretP. 2000. Health concerns Defense systems under fire. 38(6) 36-41. 

Given their biological origins in the food chain, all foods are likely to contain compounds that are less beneficial to human health than others. In some cases (and notably in plant foods), these compounds may be detrimental as they form part of the organisms natural defense systems. In the case of milk products the trans-fats have a yet undiscovered role for humans, but like saturated fats their contribution to the human diet must be viewed in the context of the total diet. 

The mechanism by which the endocrine and metabolic response is activated has not been defined clearly. There is evidence that both neural impulses and tissue substances play a part in stimulating what is virtually a total increase in endocrine activity. Many of the hormones which are increased have metabolic functions which include the maintenance of blood glucose levels. This appears to be a fundamental biological defense mechanism whereby an essential energy source is preserved for the central nervous system. 

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