Re: Fw: [CO-CURE] res: Self-test monitoring of the Th1/Th2 balance in health & disease with emphasis on CFS/ME

[Guest guest]

I don't know any more about immunology than you do, but I have never found these

recommendations to be of any help at all. As far as I can tell, it is way more

complex than they make it out to be.

There are others who say that echinacea and astragalus are contraindicated for

autoimmune conditions.

Ellen

[CO-CURE] res: Self-test monitoring of the Th1/Th2 balance in

health & disease with emphasis on CFS/ME

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Send an Email for free membership

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:

>>>>> Help ME Circle <<<<

>>>> 16 February 2012 <<<<

Editorship : j.van.roijen@...

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:

Below you will find the abstract and the introduction-session

(and for private members) an attachment in pdf format of the

original version of:

*Self-test monitoring of the Th1/Th2 balance in health

and disease with special emphasis on chronic fatigue

syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis*.

Authors: Roelant and Kenny De Meirleir

The full pdf article can also be found for free at the address

below.

~jan van roijen

````

http://www.academicjournals.org/JMLD/contents/2012%20cont/Feb.htm

Journal-Of-Medical-Laboratory-and-Diagnosis

Research Articles

Journal of Medical Laboratory and Diagnosis Vol. 3(1), pp.1-

6, February 2012

DOI: 10.5897/JMLD11.023

ISSN 2141-2618 ©2012 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Self-test monitoring of the Th1/Th2 balance in

health and disease with special emphasis on

chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic

encephalomyelitis

Roelant1* and Kenny De Meirleir2

1Protea Biopharma N.V., De Tyraslaan 111, 1120

Neder-Over-Heembeek, Belgium.

2Department of Human Physiology, Free University of

Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:

croelant@...

Tel: +32/2/481.5310.

Fax: +32/2/481.5311

Accepted 18 October, 2011

Abstract

A simple " self-test " principle is described which allows

patients to evaluate their Th1/Th2 balance repeatedly over

short periods of time to follow-up the effects of taking pre-

and probiotics, neutraceuticals, drugs or any other

therapeutic strategy to balance Th1/Th2 status.

By analysing a large number of first morning urine samples

obtained from individuals with medical conditions

associated with an overactive Th2 arm (ulcerative colitis,

autism, blastocystis, mercury poisoning and viral infection),

a reaction principle was discovered that uses a redox-active

colorimetric substrate changing color upon reaction with

metabolites present at high concentration in the urine

samples of Th2-shifted individuals.

The development of color is time-dependent and quantitative.

Moreover, 75% of urine samples obtained from chronic

fatigue/myalgic encephalomyelitis patients produced a

time-dependent and quantitative change of color compared

to only 4% of the controls (perfectly healthy population),

providing evidence that chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic

encephalomyelitis is a condition associated with an

overactive Th2 arm.

Key words: Th1/Th2 balance, urine samples, self test,

chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis

(CFS/ME).

INTRODUCTION

T helper cells (Th cells) are a sub-group of lymphocytes

which play an important role in establishing and maximising

the capabilities of the immune system (Mosmann et al.,

1986).

Th cells are specifically involved in activating and directing

other immune cells and may differentiate into two major

sub-types of cells known as Th1 and Th2 cells (Prete, 1998;

Simpson et al., 2002).

Whereas Th1 cells are critically involved in the generation of

effective cellular immunity, Th2 cells are instrumental in the

generation of humoral and mucosal immunity and allergy

(Bonecchi et al., 1998; Arestides et al., 2002).

Diseases and particularly immune-mediated disorders

involve dysregulation of the Th1/Th2 balance and can often

be classified as Th1- or Th2- mediated (Th1 or Th2

dominant) (Mosman and Coffman, 1989; Nicholson and

Kuchroo, 1996; Nishimura, 1999).

However, simple self-tests allowing physicians and patients

to follow-up Th1/Th2 balance during therapy are lacking and

therefore it still remains very difficult for an individual to

evaluate whether the medical treatment he or she is

undergoing to restore Th1/Th2 balance is effective.

In addition, the effectiveness of over-the-counter products

which claim to balance Th1/Th2 status (such as anti-

oxidants, pro-biotics and other) should be able to be

evaluated on an individual basis.

Many patients try to improve their health by " trial and error " ,

exploring probiotics, neutraceuticals and drugs, without

realizing the potential risk of further deterioration to their

health by randomly taking products that may worsen their

Th1/Th2 balance.

Several chronic inflammatory diseases have been described

as Th1-mediated diseases, including multiple sclerosis

(Tremlett et al., 2002), inflammatory bowel disease (Pallene

and Monteleone, 1998), Crohn's disease (Brand, 2009),

diabetes (Aso et al., 2006; Kyoko et al., 2008), Lupus

(Theofilopoulos et al., 2001), Königs disease (Flynn et al.,

2004) and rheumatoid arthritis (Harting et al., 2003).

Diseases reported as being Th2-mediated include allergic

rhinitis (Shahabi et al., 2006), asthma (Tremlett et al., 2002;

Hoshimo et al., 2003), autism (Gupta et al., 1998),

dermatitis (Makatani et al., 2003), ulcerative colitis (Heller

et al., 2005) and blastocystis (Zierdt, 1991).

In general, immune-mediated disorders are difficult to treat.

Some therapies specifically aim to restore the Th1/Th2

balance by down-regulating Th1 activity and up-regulating

Th2 activity, or vice versa (Adorini et al., 1996).

Obviously, this requires an accurate diagnosis of the

disease, as inappropriate treatment may result in a greater

Th1/Th2 imbalance.

However, a specific diagnosis is often difficult to obtain.

Indeed, many diseases and conditions share common

symptoms, such as fatigue. Therefore, there is a need for

broad spectrum assays and kits which make it possible to

detect in a simple way and at an early stage whether a

patient suffers from a Th1- or a Th2- mediated disease.

Here, we describe the development of such an

easy-to-perform self-test principle that uses a redox-active

colorimetric substrate producing a clearly visible change of

color upon reaction with metabolites present at high

concentration in the urine of Th2-shifted individuals.

~~~~

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Co-Cure's purpose is to provide information from across the spectrum of

opinion concerning medical, research and political aspects of ME/CFS and/or

FMS. We take no position on the validity of any specific scientific or

political opinion expressed in Co-Cure posts, and we urge readers to

research the various opinions available before assuming any one

interpretation is definitive. The Co-Cure website <www.co-cure.org> has a

link to our complete archive of posts as well as articles of central

importance to the issues of our community.

---------------------------------------------

[Guest guest]

I found a link to this article in a Phoenix Rising forum thread about Th2/Th2 -

Th1/Th2 Balance: The Hypothesis, its Limitations, and Implications for Health

and Disease

http://www.altmedrev.com/publications/8/3/223.pdf

It's pretty long and technical but from what I gleaned from skimming, it agrees

that the Th1/Th2 story is more complicated than the videos said.

Beverly

[CO-CURE] res: Self-test monitoring of the Th1/Th2 balance in

health & disease with emphasis on CFS/ME

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Send an Email for free membership

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:

>>>>> Help ME Circle <<<<

>>>> 16 February 2012 <<<<

Editorship : j.van.roijen@...

~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:~:

Below you will find the abstract and the introduction-session

(and for private members) an attachment in pdf format of the

original version of:

*Self-test monitoring of the Th1/Th2 balance in health

and disease with special emphasis on chronic fatigue

syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis*.

Authors: Roelant and Kenny De Meirleir

The full pdf article can also be found for free at the address

below.

~jan van roijen

````

http://www.academicjournals.org/JMLD/contents/2012%20cont/Feb.htm

Journal-Of-Medical-Laboratory-and-Diagnosis

Research Articles

Journal of Medical Laboratory and Diagnosis Vol. 3(1), pp.1-

6, February 2012

DOI: 10.5897/JMLD11.023

ISSN 2141-2618 ©2012 Academic Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Self-test monitoring of the Th1/Th2 balance in

health and disease with special emphasis on

chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic

encephalomyelitis

Roelant1* and Kenny De Meirleir2

1Protea Biopharma N.V., De Tyraslaan 111, 1120

Neder-Over-Heembeek, Belgium.

2Department of Human Physiology, Free University of

Brussels (VUB), Brussels, Belgium.

*Corresponding author. E-mail:

croelant@...

Tel: +32/2/481.5310.

Fax: +32/2/481.5311

Accepted 18 October, 2011

Abstract

A simple " self-test " principle is described which allows

patients to evaluate their Th1/Th2 balance repeatedly over

short periods of time to follow-up the effects of taking pre-

and probiotics, neutraceuticals, drugs or any other

therapeutic strategy to balance Th1/Th2 status.

By analysing a large number of first morning urine samples

obtained from individuals with medical conditions

associated with an overactive Th2 arm (ulcerative colitis,

autism, blastocystis, mercury poisoning and viral infection),

a reaction principle was discovered that uses a redox-active

colorimetric substrate changing color upon reaction with

metabolites present at high concentration in the urine

samples of Th2-shifted individuals.

The development of color is time-dependent and quantitative.

Moreover, 75% of urine samples obtained from chronic

fatigue/myalgic encephalomyelitis patients produced a

time-dependent and quantitative change of color compared

to only 4% of the controls (perfectly healthy population),

providing evidence that chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic

encephalomyelitis is a condition associated with an

overactive Th2 arm.

Key words: Th1/Th2 balance, urine samples, self test,

chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis

(CFS/ME).

INTRODUCTION

T helper cells (Th cells) are a sub-group of lymphocytes

which play an important role in establishing and maximising

the capabilities of the immune system (Mosmann et al.,

1986).

Th cells are specifically involved in activating and directing

other immune cells and may differentiate into two major

sub-types of cells known as Th1 and Th2 cells (Prete, 1998;

Simpson et al., 2002).

Whereas Th1 cells are critically involved in the generation of

effective cellular immunity, Th2 cells are instrumental in the

generation of humoral and mucosal immunity and allergy

(Bonecchi et al., 1998; Arestides et al., 2002).

Diseases and particularly immune-mediated disorders

involve dysregulation of the Th1/Th2 balance and can often

be classified as Th1- or Th2- mediated (Th1 or Th2

dominant) (Mosman and Coffman, 1989; Nicholson and

Kuchroo, 1996; Nishimura, 1999).

However, simple self-tests allowing physicians and patients

to follow-up Th1/Th2 balance during therapy are lacking and

therefore it still remains very difficult for an individual to

evaluate whether the medical treatment he or she is

undergoing to restore Th1/Th2 balance is effective.

In addition, the effectiveness of over-the-counter products

which claim to balance Th1/Th2 status (such as anti-

oxidants, pro-biotics and other) should be able to be

evaluated on an individual basis.

Many patients try to improve their health by " trial and error " ,

exploring probiotics, neutraceuticals and drugs, without

realizing the potential risk of further deterioration to their

health by randomly taking products that may worsen their

Th1/Th2 balance.

Several chronic inflammatory diseases have been described

as Th1-mediated diseases, including multiple sclerosis

(Tremlett et al., 2002), inflammatory bowel disease (Pallene

and Monteleone, 1998), Crohn's disease (Brand, 2009),

diabetes (Aso et al., 2006; Kyoko et al., 2008), Lupus

(Theofilopoulos et al., 2001), Königs disease (Flynn et al.,

2004) and rheumatoid arthritis (Harting et al., 2003).

Diseases reported as being Th2-mediated include allergic

rhinitis (Shahabi et al., 2006), asthma (Tremlett et al., 2002;

Hoshimo et al., 2003), autism (Gupta et al., 1998),

dermatitis (Makatani et al., 2003), ulcerative colitis (Heller

et al., 2005) and blastocystis (Zierdt, 1991).

In general, immune-mediated disorders are difficult to treat.

Some therapies specifically aim to restore the Th1/Th2

balance by down-regulating Th1 activity and up-regulating

Th2 activity, or vice versa (Adorini et al., 1996).

Obviously, this requires an accurate diagnosis of the

disease, as inappropriate treatment may result in a greater

Th1/Th2 imbalance.

However, a specific diagnosis is often difficult to obtain.

Indeed, many diseases and conditions share common

symptoms, such as fatigue. Therefore, there is a need for

broad spectrum assays and kits which make it possible to

detect in a simple way and at an early stage whether a

patient suffers from a Th1- or a Th2- mediated disease.

Here, we describe the development of such an

easy-to-perform self-test principle that uses a redox-active

colorimetric substrate producing a clearly visible change of

color upon reaction with metabolites present at high

concentration in the urine of Th2-shifted individuals.

~~~~

---------------------------------------------

Send posts to CO-CURE@...

Unsubscribe at http://www.co-cure.org/unsub.htm

Select list topic options at http://www.co-cure.org/topics.htm

---------------------------------------------

Co-Cure's purpose is to provide information from across the spectrum of

opinion concerning medical, research and political aspects of ME/CFS and/or

FMS. We take no position on the validity of any specific scientific or

political opinion expressed in Co-Cure posts, and we urge readers to

research the various opinions available before assuming any one

interpretation is definitive. The Co-Cure website <www.co-cure.org> has a

link to our complete archive of posts as well as articles of central

importance to the issues of our community.

---------------------------------------------