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Microbial origin of other chronic inflammatory conditions?

Oct 3, 2005 The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet Awards Prize

"Many diseases in humans such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and atherosclerosis are due to chronic inflammation. The discovery that one of the most common diseases of mankind, peptic ulcer disease, has a microbial cause, has stimulated the search for microbes as possible causes of other chronic inflammatory conditions. Even though no definite answers are at hand, recent data clearly suggest that a dysfunction in the recognition of microbial products by the human immune system can result in disease development. The discovery of Helicobacter pylori has led to an increased understanding of the connection between chronic infection, inflammation and cancer." More

Inflammatory heart disease: A role for cytokines

Lupus. 2005;14(9):646-51.

Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Inflammatory heart disease is a rising concern worldwide. Similar mechanisms link autoimmune diseases, including the association of increased disease with pro inflammatory cytokines and the importance of regulatory mechanisms in the control of chronic inflammation. Many pathogens including bacteria, protozoa and viruses have been associated with heart disease in patients, and are able to induce similar disease in animal models. Recognition of pathogens by the innate immune system leads to release of pro inflammatory cytokines that both reduce infection and increase chronic inflammatory heart disease. Elevated levels of pro inflammatory cytokines are able to overcome tolerance to chronic disease, indicating that environmental factors are important in determining progression to chronic heart disease. Understanding the mechanisms leading to chronic heart disease will be critical for developing effective therapies to reduce cardiac dysfunction and heart failure.

The relevance of selenium to immunity, cancer, and infectious / inflammatory diseases

Cancer Journal Diet Pract Res. 2005 Summer;66(2):98-102.
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Selenium is an essential trace element involved in several key metabolic activities via selenoproteins, enzymes that are essential to protect against oxidative damage and to regulate immune function. Selenium also may have other health benefits unrelated to its enzymatic functions. It may provide important health benefits to people whose oxidative stress loads are high, such as those with inflammatory or infectious diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or who are at high risk for cancers, particularly prostate cancer. Some studies have generated compelling evidence that selenium is beneficial, either alone or in conjunction with other micronutrients. Additional data from large clinical trials that provide the highest level of evidence will be key to determining the benefits accrued at various selenium intake levels. When the strength of the evidence becomes sufficient, clinical health professionals will need to use dietary and clinical assessment methods to ensure that people at increased risk for cancer or inflammatory and infectious diseases can be appropriately advised about selenium intake.