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Shatunova S, Aktar R, Peiris M, Lee JYP, Vetter I, Starobova H. The role of the gut microbiome in neuroinflammation and chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 979:176818. [PMID: 39029779 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024]
Abstract
Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is one of the most debilitating adverse effects caused by chemotherapy drugs such as paclitaxel, oxaliplatin and vincristine. It is untreatable and often leads to the discontinuation of cancer therapy and a decrease in the quality of life of cancer patients. It is well-established that neuroinflammation and the activation of immune and glial cells are among the major drivers of CIPN. However, these processes are still poorly understood, and while many chemotherapy drugs alone can drive the activation of these cells and consequent neuroinflammation, it remains elusive to what extent the gut microbiome influences these processes. In this review, we focus on the peripheral mechanisms driving CIPN, and we address the bidirectional pathways by which the gut microbiome communicates with the immune and nervous systems. Additionally, we critically evaluate literature addressing how chemotherapy-induced dysbiosis and the consequent imbalance in bacterial products may contribute to the activation of immune and glial cells, both of which drive neuroinflammation and possibly CIPN development, and how we could use this knowledge for the development of effective treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Shatunova
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Rubina Aktar
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Madusha Peiris
- Centre for Neuroscience, Surgery and Trauma, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jia Yu Peppermint Lee
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Irina Vetter
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia; The School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, Woollsiana, QLD, Australia
| | - Hana Starobova
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia.
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2
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Liampas I, Papathanasiou S, Tsikritsis N, Roka V, Roustanis A, Ntontos T, Kyriakopoulos C, Raptopoulou M, Eythimiadi G, Giakimova-Polyzou V, Kalliora C, Tasios V, Papageorgiou A, Dardiotis E. Nutrient Status in Patients with Frequent Episodic Tension-Type Headache: A Case-Control Study. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2021; 177:1283-1293. [PMID: 34275652 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2021.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between frequent episodic tension-type headache (FE-TTH) and 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25(OH)D), folate, vitamin B12, and magnesium. DESIGN-METHODS A prospective case-control study involving adults with FETTH and age-sex matched healthy controls (HC) was performed. Individuals under the responsibility of the three provincial Health Centres of the prefecture of Trikala (Central Greece) were recruited during their regular check-up visits. The relationship between FETTH and serum levels of 25(OH)D, vitamin B12, folate, and magnesium was investigated (primary outcomes). Demographics, daily habits, somatometrics, psychometric and sleep quality measurements, laboratory indices, cardiovascular comorbidities and medications taken were also recorded and compared (secondary outcomes). Potential associations of the above-listed parameters with headache parameters (headache frequency, severity and analgesic consumption) were also examined (secondary outcomes). RESULTS Between September and December 2020, 30 patients with FETTH and 30 HC were successfully recruited. Demographics, comorbidities, regular medications, smoking habits, alcohol and coffee consumption, body mass index measurements, markers of systemic inflammation, folate and vitamin B12 levels were similar between the two groups (P>0.05). Lower serum 25(OH)D was both univariately (P<0.001) and multivariately [OR= 0.72, 95%CI=(0.55, 0.94) per 1ng/ml increase] associated with FETTH, while serum magnesium was found lower in FETTH only according to the univariate approach (P=0.036). Higher levels of depression (P=0.050) and anxiety (P=0.020), as well as poor quality of sleep (P=0.008), were univariately associated with FETTH. Only the effect of anxiety remained significant following the multivariate logistic regression [OR=7.90, 95%CI=(1.00, 62.47)]. Headache parameters were not associated with any one of the assessed variables. DISCUSSION Lower serum 25(OH)D was related to the presence of FETTH. This finding could imply a potential role for vitamin D in the pathophysiology of TTH.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Liampas
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Larissa, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.
| | - S Papathanasiou
- Health Center of Kalampaka, Prefecture of Trikala, Trikala, Greece
| | - N Tsikritsis
- Health Center of Farkadona, Prefecture of Trikala, Trikala, Greece
| | - V Roka
- Health Center of Farkadona, Prefecture of Trikala, Trikala, Greece
| | - A Roustanis
- Health Center of Kalampaka, Prefecture of Trikala, Trikala, Greece
| | - T Ntontos
- Health Center of Farkadona, Prefecture of Trikala, Trikala, Greece
| | - C Kyriakopoulos
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Larissa, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - M Raptopoulou
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Larissa, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; First Department of Internal Medicine, General Hospital of Trikala, Trikala, Greece
| | - G Eythimiadi
- Health Center of Farkadona, Prefecture of Trikala, Trikala, Greece
| | | | - C Kalliora
- Health Center of Pyli, Prefecture of Trikala, Trikala, Greece
| | - V Tasios
- Health Center of Kalampaka, Prefecture of Trikala, Trikala, Greece
| | - A Papageorgiou
- Health Center of Farkadona, Prefecture of Trikala, Trikala, Greece
| | - E Dardiotis
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Larissa, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
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3
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Kemény LV, Robinson KC, Hermann AL, Walker DM, Regan S, Yew YW, Lai YC, Theodosakis N, Rivera PD, Ding W, Yang L, Beyer T, Loh YHE, Lo JA, van der Sande AAJ, Sarnie W, Kotler D, Hsiao JJ, Su MY, Kato S, Kotler J, Bilbo SD, Chopra V, Salomon MP, Shen S, Hoon DSB, Asgari MM, Wakeman SE, Nestler EJ, Fisher DE. Vitamin D deficiency exacerbates UV/endorphin and opioid addiction. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/24/eabe4577. [PMID: 34117054 PMCID: PMC8195487 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe4577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The current opioid epidemic warrants a better understanding of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to opioid addiction. Here we report an increased prevalence of vitamin D (VitD) deficiency in patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder and an inverse and dose-dependent association of VitD levels with self-reported opioid use. We used multiple pharmacologic approaches and genetic mouse models and found that deficiencies in VitD signaling amplify exogenous opioid responses that are normalized upon restoration of VitD signaling. Similarly, physiologic endogenous opioid analgesia and reward responses triggered by ultraviolet (UV) radiation are repressed by VitD signaling, suggesting that a feedback loop exists whereby VitD deficiency produces increased UV/endorphin-seeking behavior until VitD levels are restored by cutaneous VitD synthesis. This feedback may carry the evolutionary advantage of maximizing VitD synthesis. However, unlike UV exposure, exogenous opioid use is not followed by VitD synthesis (and its opioid suppressive effects), contributing to maladaptive addictive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lajos V Kemény
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kathleen C Robinson
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrea L Hermann
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Deena M Walker
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Susan Regan
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Yi Chun Lai
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Nicholas Theodosakis
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Phillip D Rivera
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Biology, Hope College, Holland, MI, USA
| | - Weihua Ding
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Liuyue Yang
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tobias Beyer
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yong-Hwee E Loh
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- USC Libraries Bioinformatics Services, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jennifer A Lo
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anita A J van der Sande
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - William Sarnie
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Kotler
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer J Hsiao
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mack Y Su
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shinichiro Kato
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joseph Kotler
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Staci D Bilbo
- Program in Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vanita Chopra
- Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Matthew P Salomon
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Shiqian Shen
- MGH Center for Translational Pain Research, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dave S B Hoon
- Department of Translational Molecular Medicine, Division of Molecular Oncology, John Wayne Cancer Institute at Providence Saint John's Health Center, Santa Monica, CA, USA
| | - Maryam M Asgari
- Department of Dermatology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah E Wakeman
- Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Eric J Nestler
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - David E Fisher
- Cutaneous Biology Research Center, Department of Dermatology and Cancer Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Habib AM, Nagi K, Thillaiappan NB, Sukumaran V, Akhtar S. Vitamin D and Its Potential Interplay With Pain Signaling Pathways. Front Immunol 2020; 11:820. [PMID: 32547536 PMCID: PMC7270292 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
About 50 million of the U.S. adult population suffer from chronic pain. It is a complex disease in its own right for which currently available analgesics have been deemed woefully inadequate since ~20% of the sufferers derive no benefit. Vitamin D, known for its role in calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism, is thought to be of clinical benefit in treating chronic pain without the side-effects of currently available analgesics. A strong correlation between hypovitaminosis D and incidence of bone pain is known. However, the potential underlying mechanisms by which vitamin D might exert its analgesic effects are poorly understood. In this review, we discuss pathways involved in pain sensing and processing primarily at the level of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and the potential interplay between vitamin D, its receptor (VDR) and known specific pain signaling pathways including nerve growth factor (NGF), glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), and opioid receptors. We also discuss how vitamin D/VDR might influence immune cells and pain sensitization as well as review the increasingly important topic of vitamin D toxicity. Further in vitro and in vivo experimental studies will be required to study these potential interactions specifically in pain models. Such studies could highlight the potential usefulness of vitamin D either alone or in combination with existing analgesics to better treat chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Saghir Akhtar
- College of Medicine, QU Health, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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5
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Fluegge K. A reply to Wang T, Shan L, Du L, Feng J, Xu Z, Staal WG, Jia F. Serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2015; doi: 10.1007/s00787-015-0786-1. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry 2016; 25:453-4. [PMID: 26662808 DOI: 10.1007/s00787-015-0803-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The author of this correspondence has recently published findings of an ecological investigation wherein herbicide use was proposed as an instrumental variable that predicts healthcare utilization among subjects with severe ADHD impairment via individual exposure to nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. Vitamin D deficiency, a possible risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as discussed by Wang et al., may be a homeostatic response to increasing chronic environmental N2O exposures. The author explains how deficient and insufficient states of vitamin D may promote vagal withdrawal and tolerance to increasing opioid exposures in the environment and how these characteristics are particularly relevant in neurodevelopmental disorders, like ASD and ADHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith Fluegge
- Institute of Health and Environmental Research, Cleveland, OH, 44118, USA.
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6
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Sedighi M, Haghnegahdar A. Role of vitamin D3 in treatment of lumbar disc herniation--pain and sensory aspects: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2014; 15:373. [PMID: 25257359 PMCID: PMC4190421 DOI: 10.1186/1745-6215-15-373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2014] [Accepted: 09/04/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vitamin D receptors have been identified in the spinal cord, nerve roots, dorsal root ganglia and glial cells, and its genetic polymorphism association with the development of lumbar disc degeneration and herniation has been documented. Metabolic effects of active vitamin D metabolites in the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus cells have been studied. Lumbar disc herniation is a process that involves immune and inflammatory cells and processes that are targets for immune regulatory actions of vitamin D as a neurosteroid hormone. In addition to vitamin D's immune modulatory properties, its receptors have been identified in skeletal muscles. It also affects sensory neurons to modulate pain. In this study, we aim to study the role of vitamin D3 in discogenic pain and related sensory deficits. Additionally, we will address how post-treatment 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 level influences pain and sensory deficits severity. The cut-off value for serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 that would be efficacious in improving pain and sensory deficits in lumbar disc herniation will also be studied. METHODS/DESIGN We will conduct a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial. Our study population will include 380 cases with one-level and unilateral lumbar disc herniation with duration of discogenic pain less than 8 weeks. Individuals who do not have any contraindications, will be divided into three groups based on serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 level, and each group will be randomized to receive either a single-dose 300,000-IU intramuscular injection of vitamin D3 or placebo. All patients will be under conservative treatment. Pre-treatment and post-treatment assessments will be performed with the McGill Pain Questionnaire and a visual analogue scale. For the 15-day duration of this study, questionnaires will be filled out during telephone interviews every 3 days (a total of five times). The initial and final interviews will be scheduled at our clinic. After 15 days, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 levels will be measured for those who have received vitamin D3 (190 individuals). TRIAL REGISTRATION Iranian Registry for Clinical Trials ID: IRCT2014050317534N1 (trial registration: 5 June 2014).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahsa Sedighi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shiraz Medical School, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, PO Box 71345-1536, Shiraz, Iran.
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7
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Youssef DA, El Abbassi AM, Cutchins DC, Chhabra S, Peiris AN. Vitamin D deficiency: Implications for acute care in the elderly and in patients with chronic illness. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2011; 11:395-407. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0594.2011.00716.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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8
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Abstract
This review summarizes research on sensory and behavioral aspects of calcium homeostasis. These are fragmented fields, with essentially independent lines of research involving gustatory electrophysiology in amphibians, ethological studies in wild birds, nutritional studies in poultry, and experimental behavioral studies focused primarily on characterizing the specificity of the appetite in rats. Recently, investigators have begun to examine potential physiological mechanisms underlying calcium intake and appetite. These include changes in the taste perception of calcium, signals related to blood calcium concentrations, and actions of the primary hormones of calcium homeostasis: parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Other influences on calcium intake include reproductive and adrenal hormones and learning. The possibility that a calcium appetite exists in humans is discussed. The broad range of observations documenting the existence of a behavioral limb of calcium homeostasis provides a strong foundation for future genetic and physiological analyses of this behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Tordoff
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
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9
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Abstract
To characterize the link between calcium status and sweet solution intake, rats fed a diet containing 25 mmol Ca2+/kg (Ca-25, low calcium) or 150 mmol Ca2+/kg (Ca-150, control) were given 48-h two-bottle tests with a choice between water and various concentrations of a nutrient (sucrose, Polycose, ethanol and/or corn oil). Rats fed the Ca-25 diet had significantly lower sucrose intakes and preferences over the entire range tested (10-320 g/L) even though the same (Experiment 1), or identically treated (Experiment 2a) rats had normal Polycose and ethanol intakes and normal (Experiment 1, 2b) or significantly greater (Experiment 2a) corn oil intakes. In additional tests, rats fed the Ca-25 diet had significantly lower intakes relative to rats fed the Ca-150 diet of other sweeteners (30 mmol/L D-phenylalanine, 1 mmol/L saccharin and 0.3 mmol/L aspartame), significantly higher intakes of 0.5 mg/L capsaicin and 300 mmol/L monosodium glutamate, and normal intakes of 10 g/L or 80 g/L safflower oil and 10 g/L peanut oil. In a three-cup macronutrient selection experiment (Experiment 3), calcium-deprived rats ate significantly less of a high sucrose carbohydrate source and significantly more of a protein source than did controls. These results suggest that calcium deficiency reduces the rat's liking for sweetness, irrespective of the type or form of sweetener, and that this is not due to a general reduction in energy intake.
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Affiliation(s)
- M G Tordoff
- Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA 19104-3308, USA
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10
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Mohs ME, Watson RR, Leonard-Green T. Nutritional effects of marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and nicotine. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1990. [DOI: 10.1016/s0002-8223(21)01743-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Backon J. Predicting new effective treatments of alcohol addiction on the basis of their properties of inhibition of noradrenergic activity and/or thromboxane or on the activation of the dopamine reward system and/or beta-endorphin. Med Hypotheses 1989; 29:237-9. [PMID: 2573815 DOI: 10.1016/0306-9877(89)90104-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
On the basis of their properties of noradrenergic and/or thromboxane inhibition, or on their activation of the dopaminergic reward system and/or beta-endorphin, the following substances or treatments are predicted to be effective in treating alcohol or drug addiction: ginger; carbon dioxide; dietary sulfur; methionine; calcium; LHRH; high intensity light; interferon; negative ions; serotonin antagonists such as methysergide and cyproheptadine; guanabenz and guenfacine; antihistamines; head-out water immersion; X-irradiation; and forced unilateral left nostril breathing.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Backon
- Mount Pleasant Hospital Addiction Studies Foundation, Lynn, Massachusetts
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12
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Backon J. Inhibiting noradrenergic overactivity by inhibition of thromboxane and concomitant activation of opiate receptors via dietary means. Med Hypotheses 1989; 29:65-74. [PMID: 2546022 DOI: 10.1016/0306-9877(89)90171-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
A yin-yang hypothesis is presented linking noradrenergic activity, thromboxane, melatonin, left hemisphere functioning, and cyclic AMP on the one hand, and dopamine, beta-endorphin, calcium, right hemisphere functioning, and cyclic GMP on the other. It is further suggested that there is a yoking of NA, TXA2, serotonin and melatonin in the left hemisphere, and a similar yoking of DA, BE, calcium and cGMP in the right. Evidence is presented to support the hypothesis that each element (NA, TXA2, etc.) on one side can modulate or balance a corresponding element (DA, BE, etc.) on the other. It is suggested that thromboxane is the key element in noradrenergic overactivity and that not taking this into consideration has confounded much prior research. This theory takes into account information processing models as well as pharmacological data and neurochemical theory on coupling of adenylate cyclase to its hormone receptors. Inhibiting noradrenergic overactivity can be obtained by inhibiting thromboxane and concomitantly activating opiate receptors. This protocol may have clinical utility in treating a wide range of disorders such as: anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, sleeplessness, withdrawal states, enuresis, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, Parkinsonism, Alzheimers, dementia, anorexia, infant ruminations, essential tremor, spasticity of spinal cord injury, diarrhoea, ulcerative colitis, extrapyramidal symptoms, akathisia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, attention deficit disorder, hyperhidrosis, and possibly AIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Backon
- Mount Pleasant Hospital Addiction Studies Foundation, Lynn, Massachusetts
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13
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Abstract
The literature provides considerable evidence indicating that several, but not all antihistaminics, are indeed analgesic agents and some are analgesic adjuvants as well. Those for which effectiveness is reported includes diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, orphenadrine, pyrilamine, phenyltoloxamine, promethazine, methdilazine, and tripelennamine. The proposed mechanisms of analgesic action of antihistaminics are reviewed and discussed. The literature suggests that more than one mechanism of action exists for them. There is considerable evidence suggesting that histaminergic and serotoninergic central pathways are involved in nociception and that antihistaminic drugs can modulate their responses (1). The evidence for a role for norepinephrine and dopamine and the effects of antihistaminics on them are less well established. Still other pathways have been proposed. A greater understanding of pain mechanisms will aid in elucidating the role of antihistaminics in analgesia.
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