how cartilage is destroyed and removed.

[Guest guest]

Lucy, Hope this explains some about the process of cartilage destruction and RP.

This is an article I wrote for The Support Report. It appears in the messages as number 13 . Message 15 has pic's of what the cells look like.

Basicaly the immune system gets "confussed" and attack certain protien and glucose rich cartilages. The why has not been determined. But they do understand the how, in the process.

R.

The Support Report

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheSupportReport

Blood: Part one of a four part series.

By Rutledge

Blood is defined as "fluid consisting of plasma, red and white blood cells. WWhich circulates throught the heart, arteries and veins. Blood is a body tisuue that carries oxygen, hormones, cell-building materials, ect. to other parts of the body. Blood also carries carbon dioxide and waste matter away from the other parts of the body". (Webster).

Blood can easily be seperated into its different parts.

Each part has specific tasks and functions that make up your body's blood system.

White blood cells (WBC) - protect the body against infection by distroying bacteria, mirco-organisms, viruses, foreign particles and producing antibodies. WBCs. and platelets average 1 - 2 % Platelets - Help plug damaged blood vessel walls and form the fisrt stages of blood clots.

Plasma - is a yellowish fluid that contains minerals, antibodies and blood clotting factors and suspends the red and white blood cells. Plasma accounts for about 55% of the bloods volume. Red blood cells (RBC) - contain to protein hemoglobin, which is iron rich and carries oxygen from the lungs and releases it to tissues as the blood circulates through the body. Carbon dioxide is also carried by the hemoglobin from the tissues to the lungs so that it can be exhaled. RBCs count for 40 - 45%.

The White Blood Cell

aka: WBC, White Blood Corpuscles or Leukocyte

The major function of WBCs is to fight infection and react against foreign bodies or tissues. They have a key role in the body's immune system. All of the WBCs arise from the same stem cell within the body's bone marrow. Beyond this origin, however, each cell line differentiates separetely. Most mature WBCs are depositied into the body's blood system and can be easily identified on a routine blood smear. These cells, in order of frequency are.

neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils.

WBCs are divided into two categories, Granulocytes and Nogranulocytes

(see cell images after this article )

Granulocytes have multi-lobed nuclei and are sometimes refered to as PMNs or "polys" (polymorphonuclear leukocytes). Under a mircoscope, they appear to contain granules and have an oddly shaped nucleus. Neutrophils, basophils and eooosinophils, are granulocytes.

Neutrophils are the most common type ( 55-70% ) of WBCs.

Nuetrophils are responsible for much of the body's protection against infection and are responsible for isolating and killing invading bacteria. Their primary function is killing and digestion of bacteria and micro-organisms ( phogocytosis). Neutrophils that are killed during inflammation, release an enzyme that dissolves all cells in their immediate area, resulting in the formation of pus (neutrophils being the main component). They play a major role in inflammation, and are readily attracted to foreign antigen's (Chemotaxis).

Nuetrophil production takes 7 - 14 days. They remain in the body's blood system for only 6 - 9 hours before moving through the blood vessesl walls and into cell tissue, where they survive for a few more days. An inadequate number of neutrophils (neutropenia) leaves the body at risk for infection. Acute bacterial infections and traumas stimulating neutrophil production are most common reason for increased levels. Ofter, when neutrophils production is significantly stimulated immature neutrophils form, these are called band or stab cells. This occurence also puts the body at a higher risk for infection. Severe inflammatory responses or autoimmune disorders may cause neutrophils to begin attacking cells, causing tissue damage.

Basophils comprise less the 1 % of all WBCs. They are involved in immunologic reactions reactions and produce heprin, an anticoagulant that prevents blood clotting at random sites within blood vessels. Basophils deliver antibodies that remove forgeign particles (mast cells) and work with eosinophils.

Eosinophils make up 1 - 4 % of your WBCs and are capable of eliminating foreign particles. They prevent the body from harming itself, peerforming the vital task of modulating the effects of certain immunologic situations. Eosinophils are capable of phagocytosis of antigen-antibodies and respond to allergic reaction and pararsitic infections. Eosinophil workk to temper the invasion of antigens in the blood stream.

Eosinophils and basophils do not respond to bacterial or viral infections.

Nongranulocytes (aganulocytes) include lymphocytes and monocytes. Which do not contain cytoplasmic granules and have a small single rounded nuclei.

Lymphocytes primaary function is fighting chronic bacterial and acute viral infections. They are formed in the lymph nodes, thymus, spleen and bone marrow. Lymphocytes are divided into two catergories:

T - cells. Are immune cells that control and direct the immune system. These cells are very important in fighting infection and controlling tumors. B - cells. Participate in antibody production (humoral immunity).

Monocytes make up about 8% of the bodies WBCs. They are formed cells which line capillaries in various organs, primarily the spleen and bone marrow. They are phagocyte cells, capable of fighting bacteria in a way similar to neutrophils. Monocytes, however, can be produced more rapidly and can spen a longer time in circulation than neutrophils. They also can digest larger particles and gather up cell debris from a bacterial attack. Their actions make up part of the inflammatory response.

The different components in WBCs work together making up the body's immune system.

References: 's Hopkins Family Health Book, Mosby's Medical Dictionary, The American Medical Assocation and Dorland's Medical Dictionary 29th edition. Ed Utham,MD Diplomate Boars of Pathology.

This article is provided "as is" without any express or implied warranties. While reasonable effort have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information, author assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from use of the information herin.

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Reference ranges in lab work. Because reference ranges ( except for some lipid studies) are typically defined as the range of values of the median 95% of health population, it is unlikely that a given specimen, even from a healthy patent, will show "normal" values for all the tests in a lengthy profile. Therefore, caution should be exercised to prevent overreaction to misc., mild abnormalities without clinical correlation.

Dr. Ed Uthman, Diplomat, American Board of Pathology