Immune system, vitamin

In the treatment of diseases where the metaboUtes are not being deUvered to the system, synthetic metaboUtes or active analogues have been successfully adrninistered. Vitamin metaboUtes have been successfully used for treatment of milk fever ia catde, turkey leg weakness, plaque psoriasis, and osteoporosis and renal osteodystrophy ia humans. Many of these clinical studies are outlined ia References 6, 16, 40, 51, and 141. The vitamin D receptor complex is a member of the gene superfamily of transcriptional activators, and 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D is thus supportive of selective cell differentiation. In addition to mineral homeostasis mediated ia the iatestiae, kidney, and bone, the metaboUte acts on the immune system, P-ceUs of the pancreas (iasulin secretion), cerebellum, and hypothalamus. 

Vitamin B6-coenzyme is involved in a variety of reactions, e.g., in the immune system, gluconeogenesis, erythrocyte fimction, niacin formation, nervous system, lipid metabolism, and in hormone modulation/gene expression [1, 2]. 

Globally, undernutrition is widespread, leading to impaired growth, defective immune systems, and reduced work capacity. By contrast, in developed countries, there is often excessive food consumption (especially of fat), leading to obesity and to the development of cardiovascular disease and some forms of cancer. Deficiencies of vitamin A, iron, and iodine pose major health concerns in many countries, and deficiencies of other vitamins and minerals are a major cause of iU health. In developed countries, nutrient deficiency is rare, though there are vulnerable sections of the population at risk. Intakes of minerals and vitamins that are adequate to prevent deficiency may be inadequate to promote optimum health and longevity. 

Health benefits — Research reports indicate that natural (3-carotene possesses numerous benefits for the human body and consistently supports the use of (3-carotene as part of the human diet. The human body converts (3-carotene to vitamin A via body tissues as opposed to the liver, hence avoiding a build-up of toxins in the liver. Vitamin A is essential for the human body in that it assists the immune system and helps battle eye diseases such as cataracts and night blindness, various skin ailments such as acne, signs of aging, and various forms of cancer. 

The receptor for RANKL is RANK, also known as ODAR (Anderson et al. 1997 Hsu et al. 1999). RANK is expressed in osteoclast precursors, mature osteoclasts, condrocytes, fibroblasts, and immune system cells (Anderson et al. 1997 Hsu et al. 1999). The binding of RANKL with RANK on preosteoclasts initiates the OCS and the activation of osteoclasts (Anderson et al. 1997 Hsu et al. 1999 Nakagawa et al. 1998). RANK-deficient mice display a phenotype characterized by osteopetrosis and several defects in the immune system similar to that observed in RANKL-deficient mice (Dougall et al. 1999). Consistent with this hypothesis, RANK-deficient mice are resistant to bone resorption induced by TNF-a, IL-l/J, or vitamin D3 (Li et al. 2000). In agreement with this, mice deficient in molecules implied in the transduction pathway from RANK like TRAF-6 or NF-/c Bl/NK-/c B2 also show an osteopetrotic phenotype,... 

Given this structural similarity, it should not be surprising to learn that sulfanilamide competes with p-aminobenzoic acid for a binding site on the surface of dihydropteroate synthetase. Put another way, sulfanilamide binds to the enzyme where p-aminobenzoic acid should bind but no reaction occurs. The consequence is that a step in folic acid biosynthesis is disrupted and the bacterial cell is deprived of adequate folic acid. Nucleic acid synthesis, among other things, is disrupted, leading to a cessation of cell growth and division. The human immune system can mop up what remains. No similar consequences befall the human host since it cannot make folic acid in the first place and must get an adequate supply of this vitamin in the diet. 

The activity of vitamin A is related to vision process, tissue differentiation, growth, reproduction, and the immune system. A deficiency of this micronutrient mainly leads to visual problems, impaired immune function, and growth retardation in children. Hypervitaminosis could lead to hepatotoxicity, affect bone metabolism, disrupt lipid metabolism, and teratogenicity [417]. The isomerization of P-carotene, due to technological processes in foods, leads to a reduction of the vitamin A activity it is therefore important to analyze it. 

Fluorination of the vitamin D3 side chain was anticipated to have an impact on its metabolism pathway. 26,27-Hexafluorocalcitriol, faiecaicitrioi, was found to be several times more potent than caicitrioi in the regulation of Ca metabolism and of the immune system. The reason for this higher biological activity has been attributed to several mechanisms a higher activity of its 23(5)-hydroxylated metabolite [26,27-hexafluoro-l,23(5),25(OH)3D3], a lower affinity of faiecaicitrioi for the vitamin D binding protein and a higher affinity of falecalcitriol-... 

In Southeast Asia, an estimated 5 million children develop an eye disease known as xerophthalmia due to vitamin A dehciency every year. Of these, 0.25-0.5 million will eventually go blind. Vitamin A dehciency is also correlated with a weakened immune system and consequentially an increased susceptibility to potentially fatal afflictions, including diarrhea, respiratory diseases, and childhood diseases such as measles. According to statistics compiled by UNICEF, improved vitamin A nutrition could be expected to prevent approximately 1-2 million deaths a year among children aged 1-4, and an additional 0.25-0.5 million deaths during later childhood. 

It is vital for the functioning of retina. Vitamin A is essential for differentiation and growth of epithelial tissue. It enhances function of immune system and protect against development of certain malignancies. Different forms of vitamin A mediate different functions. 

Immune system regulation It has been suggested that vitamin B plays an important role in immune system regulation, but the details are still obscure. 

Examples of some conditions which are known,or are believed to be, to be autoimmune responses include myasthenia gravis (destruction of acetylcholine receptors), rheumatic fever (a streptococcal infection challenges the immune system and then the immune system mistakes heart tissue for another strep infection), Addison s disease (destruction of the adrenal glands), arthritis (an infection of unknown origin starts the immune response but somehow IgG becomes changed, enough so as to start another IgM response - this time to the body s own IgG), pernicious anemia (inability to process vitamin B12)- insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM or type I diabetes), multiple sclerosis, aspermatogenesis, and photosensitivity. 

While most of these treatments are on a very shaky scientific footing, desperate people still try them. History has shown that when scientific medicine leaves a vacuum, a host of alternative practitioners will rush in to fill it. These people claim to have the answers that have somehow eluded mainstream researchers. Such as the benefits of the Harmony Token, a colored disk you wear around your neck its manufacturer claims that it resupplies minerals, vitamins, and amino acids with the color that has been stripped away by exposure to electromagnetic radiation. Our bodies, apparently, do not recognize these colorless substances and, as a consequence, our immune systems are weakened. The Harmony Token utilizes 2,800 colors to rebuild and repair the body at the cellular level and allows victims of rheumatoid arthritis to resume normal lives. Testimonials proclaim the disk s astonishing powers it improves gas mileage and reduces car emissions it makes racehorses run faster it cures migraines. It also makes me wonder about people s sanity. 

All tissues are retinoid targets, as all cell types have at least one form of nuclear retinoid receptor. In adults, the most significant targets include cornea, skin, epithelia of the lungs and trachea, and the immune system. RA regulates the synthesis of proteins essential for growth or differentiation. Excessive vitamin A can cause birth defects, and pregnant women are advised not to use the retinoid creams that have been developed for treatment of severe acne. 

Vitamin A is a necessary micronutrient in the diet for vision, growth, tissue differentiation, reproduction, and maintenance of the immune system. A deficiency of vitamin A affects reproduction in both male and female experimental animals. In the male, retinol is required for normal spermatogenesis in the female, the vitamin is necessary for both conception and normal development of the fetus. 

Deficiency syndromes of Zn, Cu, Cr, Se and Mo have occurred in patients on total parenteral nutrition (TPN). There is still much research to be done in assessing the nutritional status of many elements and understanding their metabolism, so that normal dietary intake may be supplemented for health benefits. Table 2 is a summary of the amounts required, the functions and the nutritional (usually dietary) imbalances in humans, where known, of the essential trace elements.31-33 (Note that this summary does not attempt to include imbalances related to environmental toxicology and occupational hazards.) Several trace elements have important functions in the immune system. Some are associated with nucleic acid. Others have structural roles, such as Si in cartilage, F and Zn in bone. They may be parts of vitamins, such as Co in vitamin B12, or hormones, such as iodine in thyroid hormones, Zn and Cr have a role in the synthesis and action of insulin.31-33... 

Nonbacterial milk components and components produced from milk fermentation may also contribute to the immunostimulatory activity of yogurt. Peptides and free fatty acids generated by fermentation have been shown to enhance the immune response. Milk components such as whey protein, calcium, and certain vitamin and trace elements also can influence the immune system. 

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