Molecular Basis of Health and Disease
The book describes how the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory molecules is related to health and disease. It is suggested that many diseases are initiated and their progress is influenced by inflammatory molecules and a decrease in the production
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Undurti N. Das
Molecular Basis of Health and Disease
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Undurti N. Das, MD, FAMS UND Life Sciences 13800 Fairhill Road, #321 Shaker Heights, OH 44120, USA [email protected] School of Biotechnology Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Kakinada 533003, India
ISBN 978-94-007-0494-7 e-ISBN 978-94-007-0495-4 DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-0495-4 Springer Dordrecht Heidelberg London New Work Library of Congress Control Number: 2011921317 © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011 No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, microfilming, recording or otherwise, without written permission from the Publisher, with the exception of any material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. Cover design: deblik, Berlin Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com)
To My Wife Lakshmi and Daughter Arundhati, Son Aditya and Son-in-Law Dr. Kalasagar Madugula
Preface
Several studies have suggested that low-grade systemic inflammation plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of obesity, insulin resistance, essential hypertension, type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases, schizophrenia, depression, Alzheimer’s disease and cancer. This is supported by the observation that plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), markers of inflammation, levels are elevated in these subjects. With ageing, plasma levels of CRP, IL-6 and TNF-α tend to increase and produce insulin resistance and secondary hyperinsulinemia. Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and depression are also associated with an increase in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid CRP, IL-6, TNF-α, and lipids peroxides. In all these conditions, similar, if not identical, changes in the plasma, RBC, and tissue concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids and anti-oxidants have been described. Similarity in the molecular events at the cellular level suggest that methods designed to suppress inappropriate inflammation and augment resolution of inflammation and tissue repair could be of therapeutic benefit in these conditions. In this context, it is of particular significance that alterations in the metabolism of essential fatty acids and the formation of their anti-inflammatory metabolites such as lipoxins, resolvins, protectins, maresins and nitrolipids seem to be responsible for the onset of low-grade systemic inflammation in these diseases. In view of this understanding the factors and co-factors, both endogenous and exogenous, that have the ability to modulate the metabolism of essential fatty acids and the formation of their anti-inflammatory products is important. Since these anti-inflammatory lipid compounds suppress the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids, it
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