TNF alpha Inhibitor and blocker review of research studies

TNF alpha is a protein that the body produces during the inflammatory response, the body's reaction to injury. TNF alpha promotes the inflammation and its associated fever and signs (pain, tenderness, and swelling) in several inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. For more information on autoimmune diseases.

TNF Alpha and herbs, natural influences
There are many natural herbal supplements that have compounds in them that act as TNF Alpha inhibitors. Here is one example. Perhaps curcumin has an influence on this protein. We are not sure if Padma Basic natural supplement for heart health has an influence.

Inhibitory effects of an aqueous extract of Cornus kousa Burg. leaves on TNF-alpha-induced chemokine expression and monocyte adhesion to human colonic epithelial cells.
Arch Pharm Res. 2009; College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Korea.
An aqueous extract of Cornus kousa Burg. leaves that contained high amount of polyphenols showed significant antioxidant activity against diphenylpicrylhydrazyl radicals and TNF-alpha-generated reactive oxygen species. Our results indicate that Cornus kousa leaves may provide a potential benefit for the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases such as IBD.

TNF blocker side effect, danger, risk
TNF alpha antagonists are effective in the treatment of chronic inflammatory joint disease. Despite a good overall safety profile, they can induce a number of side effects, including autoimmunity and infections. A link between TNF alpha antagonists and vasculitides has been suggested. A major concern surrounding the use of TNF-alpha inhibitors is their potential to increase the risk of opportunistic infections, particularly tuberculosis.
   Granuloma annulare skin lesions have developed in patients during anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) therapy. Optic neuritis has been reported in some patients taking TNF blockers.

Optic neuritis occurring with anti-tumour necrosis factor {alpha} therapy.
Ann Rheum Dis. 2007. Professor in Rheumatology, GATA Romatoloji BD, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey.
Various demyelinating disorders have been reported in association with anti-tumour necrosis factor alpha TNFalpha agents. The objective of this study was to review the occurrence, clinical features and outcome of optic neuritis during treatment with anti-TNFalpha agents. Discussion: Patients being treated with a TNFalpha antagonist should be closely monitored for the development of ophthalmological or neurological signs and symptoms. Furthermore, consideration should be given to avoiding such therapies in patients with a history of demyelinating disease. If clinical evaluation leads to the diagnosis of optic neuritis, discontinuation of the medication and institution of steroid treatment should be a priority.

TNF inhibitors for rheumatoid arthritis
Three TNF-alpha antagonists are available for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: Etanecerpt, infliximab, and Adalimumab.
   Etanercept is a recombinant TNF-alpha receptor Fc fusion protein that binds soluble TNF-alpha, thereby rendering TNF-alpha unavailable to bind cell surface TNF-alpha receptors. Subcutaneous injection is administered twice weekly. Etanercept may be used in combination with methotrexate. Etanercept is a synthetic protein that binds to TNF alpha. It thereby acts like a sponge to remove most of the TNF alpha molecules from the joints and blood. This prevents TNF alpha from promoting inflammation and the fever, pain, tenderness and swelling of joints in patients with rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis.
   Infliximab reduces the amount of active tumour necrosis factor alpha in the body by binding to it and preventing it from signaling the receptors for TNF alpha on the surface of cells.
   Adalimumab, a fully humanized monoclonal antibody, is the newest TNF-alpha antagonist approved for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and is administered subcutaneously every 2 weeks. Cases of bone marrow suppression and elevation of serum transaminase levels have been reported.

infections increase levels
In a study of patients with mild to severe Alzheimer's disease, people who suffered acute or chronic infections, or even bumps and bruises from a fall, were much more likely to have high blood levels of a protein involved in inflammation and also experienced faster memory loss than people who did not have infections and who had low levels of this protein. It's possible that finding a way to reduce inflammation in the body "could be beneficial for people with Alzheimer's disease," reports study chief Dr. Clive Holmes, from the University of Southampton, United Kingdom. Over about 6 months, Dr. Clive Holmes measured the cognitive abilities and blood levels the inflammatory protein TNF-alpha of 222 people with Alzheimer's disease. During follow up, roughly half of the study subjects experienced a sudden infection or injury that led to inflammation, and a spike in TNF-alpha levels. These people, experienced memory loss that was at twice the rate of those who did not have infections or injuries. People who had high levels of TNF-alpha in their blood at the beginning of the study, a sign of chronic, ongoing inflammation, had memory loss at four times the rate of those with low levels of the protein at the start of the study. By contrast, subjects with low levels of TNF-alpha throughout the study showed no decline in brain function. Neurology, September 8, 2009.

Obesity
Body Fat Distribution and Inflammation Among Obese Older Adults With and Without Metabolic Syndrome.
Obesity (Silver Spring). 2010. Koster A, Stenholm S, Simonsick EM, Kanaya AM, Visser M, Houston DK, Nicklas BJ, Tylavsky FA, Satterfield S, Goodpaster BH, Ferrucci L, Harris TB; for the Health ABC Study. Laboratory of Epidemiology, Demography, and Biometry, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, Maryland, USA School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
The protective mechanisms by which some obese individuals escape the detrimental metabolic consequences of obesity are not understood. This study examined differences in body fat distribution and adipocytokines in obese older persons with and without metabolic syndrome. Additionally, we examined whether adipocytokines mediate the association between body fat distribution and metabolic syndrome. Data were from 729 obese men and women (BMI >/=30 kg/m(2)), aged 70-79 participating in the Health, Aging and Body Composition (Health ABC) study. Thirty-one percent of these obese men and women did not have metabolic syndrome. Obese persons with metabolic syndrome had significantly more abdominal visceral fat and less thigh subcutaneous fat than those without metabolic syndrome. Additionally, those with metabolic syndrome had significantly higher levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) than individuals without metabolic syndrome. Per standard deviation higher in visceral fat, the likelihood of metabolic syndrome significantly increased in women. In contrast, the likelihood of metabolic syndrome decreased in both men and women with each standard deviation higher in thigh subcutaneous fat. These associations were partly mediated by adipocytokines; the association between thigh subcutaneous fat and metabolic syndrome was no longer significant in men. In summary, metabolically healthy obese older persons had a more favorable fat distribution, characterized by lower visceral fat and greater thigh subcutaneous fat and a more favorable inflammatory profile compared to their metabolically unhealthy obese counterparts.

Would this herbal formula be helpful in thimerosal induced potential health risks?
   It's a good question, we don't know at this time.

Does Passion Rx increase the risk or decrease inflammation?
   It probably does not have a major influence.