2 new research findings

[Sooki]

MedPage today had reports on two new research findings which I thought were interesting.  The first was actually video of autoimmune T cells entering the pancreas and destroying the insulin-producing beta cells in mice, as diabetes 1 (another autoimmune disease).

The second relevant one was further down the article showing that the loss of smell (which is also a Sjs symptom) which occurs in early Alzheimer's can be reversed by destroying the amyloid precursor on the olfactory part of the brain.

Neither of these is Sjs directly, but it seems the findings will add to research needed to explain and treat Sjs.

http://tinyurl.com/7zv6atb

[Maria3667]

Hi Sooki,

Yes very interesting!!

Only question which immediately sprang to mind was, how does one go about destroying a precursor?
(don't expect you to answer this...)

In relation to your findings:
"Some researchers think that the underlying cause of autoimmune disorders like Sj?gren's may be a flawed T cell response. T cells are lymphocytes that are 'trained' in the thymus gland for their role in the immune system. However, if T cells are not 'schooled' long enough in the thymus before being released, they tend to behave erratically, attacking healthy tissue."
(taken from LEF, see: http://www.lef.org/protocols/immune_connective_joint/sjogren_syndrome_01.htm) .

And LEF even claims thymus extract may be beneficial.
"There is evidence that thymus extracts can improve the functioning and numbers of T cells and stimulate conversion of immature T6 cells (thymocytes) into non-dedicated T3 cells (Kouttab NM et al 1989; Wilson JL 1999). Thymominetic drugs, such as as levamisole and isoprinosine, stimulate the thymus and may be beneficial to T cell development (Hadden JW et al 1989). Because immature T cells have been implicated in Sj?gren's syndrome, Life Extension believes that thymus extract may help reduce the severity of symptoms associated with the disease."
(from the same link).

Food for thought...

Thank you for sharing!