Editor's Blog
Patients with the autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have an increased risk of infection, due to both disturbances in their immune responses and treatment with immunosuppressive drugs. Because morbidity and mortality related to influenza are increased in immunocompromised patients, it is recommended that patients with SLE get annual flu shots, which are safe and do not increase disease activity. Both antibody and cell-mediated responses are involved in the immune response to influenza; in SLE, antibody responses to the vaccine are diminished, but it is not known if the same effect is seen in cell-mediated responses. A new study was the first to examine cell-mediated responses in SLE patients prior to and following influenza vaccination. The study was published in the August issue of Arthritis & Rheumatism (http://www.interscience.wiley.com/journal/arthritis).
Led by Albert Holvast, of the University of Groningen in The Netherlands, the study involved 54 patients with SLE and 54 healthy controls who received subunit flu vaccine, out of a total of 78 patients in each group. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive a flu vaccine or serve as a nonvaccinated control. Patients and controls were followed up at 28 days and three to four months following vaccination, at which time blood was drawn.
Vaccination induces an influenza virus-specific immune response which is generally documented as the generation of antibodies specifically reacting with the virus. However, the main defense against the virus is exerted by specific immune cells, in particular CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells which are part of the immune response induced by vaccination. The level of this so-called cellular immune response has until now not been documented in patients with SLE, but is crucial for the effect of vaccination.
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Fish oil may help in fighting Lupus, by reducing inflammation:
Inflammation is responsible for an plethora of diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, asthma, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, migraine headaches, and diabetes. [17] [18][19] Omega 6 fatty acids produce arachidonic acid and subsequently generate pro-inflammatory eicosanoids such as prostaglandin (PG)E2, leukotriene B4, and thromboxane A2, which all mediate the inflammatory response. [20]Fish Oil, as well as other omega-3 fatty acids, inhibit the conversion of arachidonic acid to prostaglandins and leukotrienes, decreasing the inflammatory response. [21]
Vitamin D is also very good at fighting inflammation, and thus may also be helpful with lupus because of its immunomodulatory properties:
Vitamin D deficiency is also a risk factor for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease. [53] Vitamin D supplementation ameliorated symptoms in a mouse model for SLE. [54]
My wife has suffered for over 12 years from SLE, Fibromyalgia, Reynaud’s Syndrome, IBS and Degenerative Arthritis with fusions from S-1 to L-3. She lived with cronic pain 24/7 inspite of taking 60 mg of methadone for base pain and 4/600 mcg Actiq fentynil lollipops daily along with many others meds. Nothing her doctors tried made much difference longterm.
Our compounding phamacist, Clinical Specialties, Augusta, GA, told my wife and I about LDN (low dose naltrexone) and it changed her life. FDA approved Naltrexone in 1985, to help drug addicts, from 50 to 100 mg. Penn State researchers discovered that when it’s given in doses under 5 mg the results are nothing short of miraculous.
My wife started LDN July and with a week all autoimmune symptoms were gone along with her pain. LDN increases endorphin production two to four times normal while BOOSTING the immune system. That’s right BOOSTING. She stopped her pain meds and Plaquenil (immuno-supressent)
Another effect LDN has is it modulates/regulates the immune system and increases T-cell production. It has been proven to slow cell growth therefore can play an important role against cancer.
The researchers and physicians invovled with LDN in growing numbers are buying into the theory that suppress the immune system for sufferers is wrong. Regulate and boost the immune system is bettter. My wife is living proof and there are tens of thousands more who now live without or with reduced symptoms.
With a very grateful heart to all who helped my wife get her life back we thank you,
Kenneth