Case To Be Made For Hepatoxicity

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Hepatoxicity, by definition, means nothing more than liver damage/distress. Depending upon the severity of damage, Hepatoxicity can be a serious condition, or merely one that lingers around for an extended period in the abscence of any severe damage.

Here's a link covering a limited part of what is known about this condition, in basic terminology-

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The article defines for the presence of Hepatoxicity by the following criteria, referenced directly from the article-

"Following criteria were used to define anti-TB drugs-induced hepatotoxicity:

Normalization of liver enzymes level and resolution of signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity after withdrawal of all anti-TB drugs, and presence of at least one of the following criteria:

o A rise to five or greater than five times the normal level of ALT and/or AST.

o A rise in the level of serum total bilirubin over 1.5 mg/dl.

o Any increase in AST and/or ALT above pretreatment levels together with anorexia, nausea, vomiting and jaundice.

Normal maximum value in the laboratory is 35 IU/L for ALT and 40 IU/L for AST. For ALP normal upper limit is 115 IU/L."

The particular article above may only highlight TB prescription drug- induced Hepatoxicity, but the fact of the matter is that Hepatoxicity can be caused by many, many different prescription drugs. "Google it", and you will be able to see this for yourself.

Now I doubt very much that anybody here is in a state of full fledged Hepatoxicity. But are there signs of the basic pathway present here among some of you? Sure. Why else would some of you be experiencing fluctuations with those liver enzyme counts w/o any rational explanation, afterall.

Beyond prescription drug medications, Hepatoxicity can be caused by alcoholism, OTC drugs (Rare, but it can happen), and/or other forms of toxicity. Skin creams, household cleaners? You bet. Take a look at the following link, and you will see that a skin cream prescribed by Dermatologists has the ability to induce Hepatoxicity-

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Once again, directly quoting from the article here, "The temporal association of Skin Cap use and development of pustular psoriasis along with symptoms and laboratory evidence of hepatotoxicity suggest a probable linkage in these events. Against the background of pre-existing alcohol intake in this patient, it is possible that the additional alcohol content of Skin Cap may have directly precipated pustular psoriasis and hepatotoxicity in this patient."

Further proof of the possible correlation between drug use and Hepatoxicity. I also share this article with you because it is possibly the most legitimite explanation that I have yet to find offering a rational explanation for what may be occuring here for many of you here. As you can see, rather than saying that somebody has Celiac Disease w/ Diabetes, Hypothyroidism, and Lupus/Rheumatoid Arthritis/Lupus, I believe that simply calling this "Amavata" would be a more logical approach. Whether or not all of the symptoms may be present is fairly irrelevant with what I am trying to do here, afterall.Open Original Shared Link

Again, quoting directly from the article-"Unfortunately, each class of drug listed contains a number of unpleasant and potentially dangerous effects, from hepatotoxicity (e.g. NSAIDs, methotrexate, penacillamine), kidney damage (e.g. cyclosporine, penacillamine) to immunodeficiency (e.g. corticosteroids, cyclosporine, methotrexate, penacillamine)."

Two thirds of the population pop that Tylenol, a solid one fifth/sixth have been prescribed corticosteroids at some point in their lifetime, and we've all been given Penicillin here or there, correct?

Before we move on, here is an outstanding resource matching up certain prescription drugs and their potential affects on liver function, basic health,etc. Because 2 out of 3 people who have Celiac Sprue are women, those of you that are female, please make note of the Estradiols and the ability they have to affect the liver bile ducts.

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Of interest here is the growing, documented proof that there may well be a connection between Primary Biliary Sclerosis and Celiac Sprue, as this brief article eludes to. Take note to the fact that this article covers Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis, a condition that I personally believe may offer a better connection than PBS does, but the two conditions both highlight the same type of condition that would be active. They are quite similar, in other words-

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What I find to be fascinating about this article is that when you compare the symptoms and diseases that are associated to PSC and/or PBS, you find so much of what is taking place here for so many of you. At what point does Celiac Disease essentially "Take its bow" to PBS? The intellectual can see the process for what it is-that of one big "Event," not a pool of collective, individual diseases that may or may not have associations to one another. And I would strongly make the argument that Celiac is the result, not the cause, of the much larger issue at hand, and for good reason. Realistically, what possible good does it do to address this or that part (Lupus, Thyroid, Etc) of the larger mechanism when no real attempt is ever made at getting to the bottom of what is really going on for those of you diagnosed with multiple conditions.

Back to my favorite topic, that being the amino acids. Again, basic concepts, basic terminology, so take a look-

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Quoting once again directly from the article, "Amino acids are also necessary for the manufacture of protein structures required for genes, enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters and body fluids. In the central nervous system, amino acids act as neurotransmitters and as precursors to neurotransmitters used in the brain to receive and send messages. Amino acids are also required to allow vitamins and minerals to be utilized properly."

Another important quote from the article-"These proteins are used by the body to construct muscles, bones, organs, glands, connective tissues, nails and hair."-Pretty much everything, I would say.

And, for those that are being lazy by not reading through the links, another direct quote from the article- "Many of the amino acids required to maintain human health can be produced in the liver from proteins found in our diet. These non-essential aminos are: alanine, aspartic acid , asparagine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, and serine."

Contrary to what our doctors are led to believe in medical school, deficiencies of certain aminos can and very much do exist. That is a fact, one that has been proven time and time again in study after study. I once read that your IM physician has one hour of classroom education on the aminos. I was told that they are basically advised to administer glutamine in emergency situations, and to look out for PKU in newborns-that's about it.

We know that Celiac Sprue essentially is represented by an inability for some to properly digest the proteins in gluten, in particular, although there is plenty of evidence here to suggest that many of you are having problems with other protein sources, as well.

Let's look at four of these, in particular. Tyrosine excluded, 2 of these 3 (Tryptophan excluded) are DIRECT members of the non essential class (Produced by the liver-directly). Tryptophan (At one angle, but the following statement is correct, essentially) is than produced by the non-essentials. They give it its power to do its own job, in other words.

If one is to insist on proof in terms of the amount of confusion there is w/ the aminos among various sources, look at Tryptophan. About 1/3rd of the available literature tells us that Tryptophan is a direct "Bi product of the non essentials," another 1/3 (The source below included) believes it to be an "Essential" amino, while another 1/3 believes that Tyrosine is a non essential itself (Contradicting this link), and that it comes to be from a loosely defined metabolic reaction. This group, in particular, seems to believe that it is relatively helpless by itself, meaning that it in no way can be defined as an essential amino, though this statement falls dangerously close to one that can be debated, too.

#1)-Tryptophan (Product of the non essentials)

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#2)-Glutamine (A "non essential," produced by the liver directly)

Open Original Shared LinkGlutamine "Produces" Alanine, and Alanine helps to "Produce" its counterpart, Beta Alanine.

#3)Alanine A "non essential," is produced by the liver, but requires proper Glutamine levels to function properly.

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What this information does not highlight is that two of Alanine's main roles are to assist the body in protein (Gluten), carb (What gluten usually goes along with), and fat metabolism. A deficiency or toxicity of Alanine WILL CAUSE metabolic impairment, that's just a fact. Furthermore, it, along with its "counterpart", Beta Alanine, just so happen to be the body's main defenses against systematic acidity and high cholosterol, which may or may not be able to be traced back to an issue such as PBS.

Kaufmann-cholosterol may be nothing more than an anti-fungal mechanism, but that is where he leaves it, essentially. Kaufmann wonderfully explains for what may be behind several of today's mystery illnesses, that being various fungal agents, but he doesn't make the connection to the PH issues. I would argue that it would be very hard for one to have a systematic fungal infection if the body is not out of balance in some way. Only a long term illness/infection, toxicity, or long term vitamin/mineral/amino deficiency could cause this env't to take hold in the body, therefore allowing for the fungal growth to take place. I take a great deal of interest in the fact Alanine just so happens to have a role in fighting both acidity and cholosterol levels. Its dependance on proper Glutamine levels/function makes this connection all the more intriguing, as does its direct link back over to Tryptophan on the other side.

#4)Tyrosine-You may go look this one up for youself on the web, but just understand that it is believed to be the key player behind Endocrine function. Like I have said before, there will be Hypothyroidism or Hyperthyroidism, possibly even Adrenal or Thymus complication if there is a problem with Tyrosine. Of key interest here is the "War" that is always taking place once again between Tyrosine and Tryptophan for "Passage" into the bloodstream.

What has been discussed here is at the heart of your disease. And remember not to confuse yourself-Aminos represent the "Process," where as conditions like Celiac Sprue, Diabetes, and PBS are the result of an amino imbalance, in the abscense of a confirmed infectious agent.

So it goes without saying that in my last report coming next weekend, the heavy emphasis will be on the overall pathway involved within a connection I have found between the liver, the kidneys and/or the adrenals (Hormones), a possible toxicity or infection, along with the disruption that is bound to occur within the amino profile in the presence of such widespread disruption.

It is my opinion there does exist powerful evidence to support the theory that one's main problem here is either due to a deficiency or toxicity of any of the following-Glutamine, Alanine, Glutathione, B-Alanine, Tryptophan, Glutamic Acid, Tyrosine, and/or Arginine-all of or one of, or a little of both.

But what leads to all of this, you may ask. Is it an active infection, or is it more probable to believe that a toxicity of the liver, however slight that may be, may be at the roots of this disease. Finally, we'll backdoor the connection back over to the adrenals and kidneys. Than, rest assured, I'll be done.

But the process is quite simple (In my own non-medically educated opinion, of course)-I believe there may be somewhat of a direct connection between Celiac Sprue and the liver. It is my belief the problem starts with the liver. In other words, Celiac Sprue is caused by abnormal liver function, for some of you, at least.

What may have the potential to cause one to have abnormal liver function? Prescription medications, alcohol, smoking, vaccine content, illegal drugs, Aspartame/Methanol, the heavy metals. Indirectly, the overuse of corticosteroids could be another potential trigger, as would kidney disease and the indirect effect such complications may bring to the liver.

In the presence of abnormal liver function, there is an increased liklihood that one's non-essential amino profile will become affected, understanding that it has been confirmed that the liver is responsible for the creation of these specific amino acids (The non essentials).

Two of these aminos, in particular, that of Glutamine and Alanine (And Beta Alanine), seem to be at the heart of all of what is going on here, so long that one is to take into consideration that of the relationships of these two aminos with the metabolism of others within the profile.

I find there to be overwhelmning evidence to conclude that there may be a problem here for the majority of people when it comes to Glutamine and Alanine. The problem is that there does exist some confusion as to whether or not such individuals would be deficient or toxic. While the answer may appear obvious, the fact of the matter is that nobody could possibly determine where they are sitting w/ these two until they are tested. There are certain sequences, even medications, that have been known to lead to "Toxic" levels of these two aminos, so the assumption should not be made that one is deficient without having such confirmation in hand by way of medical lab testing.

The basic logic involved in this conclusion should be apparent to the reader. Glutamine, the body's most abundant amino outside of a state of illness, is known to heal (And regulate the overall health of) the GI tract, and to prevent further damage to this system from envt'l/metabolic forces.

Alanine is metabolized from Glutamine, and therefore it is believed by the common majority that Alanine needs Glutamine to do its job, in other words. Alanine's role in gluconeogenesis is extremely powerful, as one can determine from the literature I have presented to you here. It may be the largest player involved in the process of what truly may be at the heart of everything we find here.

The combinations of Alanine and Beta Alanine are known to combat cholosterol. It is an effective agent in glucose control. It is the body's chief weapon against blood acidity. Normal levels of the amino are required for the proper metabolism of proteins, carbs, and fats. Its role is very well established in muscle and connective tissue maintenance. Furthemore, Tryptophan is a very big player when it comes to the relationship it holds with Alanine. Remember, beyond its own extremely important capacities w/ one's health, Tryptophan, by itself, is always in that tug of war game it has with Tyrosine (Endocrine-Glands).

What causes Celiac Sprue? To answer that question, I believe one must first ask the question, "What is wrong with the liver?" Is there actual "damage" w/ the bile ducts? Is it being run down by a medication or alcohol? Is a virus or infection present in the tissue?

If these questions can all be outruled, than an exploration must be done into secondary stressors of the liver (Adrenals and kidneys are the top suspects). If that too can be outruled, than the determination must be made as to what may explain for a deficiency and/or toxicity of certain aminos in the diet. At the top of this particular "Suspect list" would be a blood infection (Fungal or Bacterial. Viral-doubtful) or a toxicity of the bloodstream that has not yet brought verified disruption to the liver's function.

If all of these questions can be answered in a method that would outrule all of these suspicions, I will officially give a select few what they apparently want to hear. For at that given point, I would have no choice but to conclude that Celiac Sprue "Is what it is." I would still make the argument that the sensitivity is triggered by lectin sources rather than gluten, but I would be in line with the overall thought process, at least.