XMRV, NF-KB, and cortisol (Re: The spin by other doctors continue).

[Guest guest]

Lucy - While I've also read the claims that cortisol activates XMRV, that

doesn't necessarily imply that XMRV has a cortisol receptor. Also note that

it's also been claimed that NF-KB activates XMRV. This has to be taken into

account also, since cortisol can reduce NF-KB activation. Indeed, it could

actually be that low cortisol, which is sometimes seen in CFS, could activate

XMRV, by upregulating NF-KB. I

Interestingly, low cortisol is often seen in autism. Indeed, studies have shown

that constant stressful conditions will often cause a supression of cortisol.

Stress obviously can disrupt the immune system, but increased cortisol may not

necessarily be a factor in activating XMRV in CFS. - Mark

> More specifically on the subject of Gupta - I had been toying with the

> idea of starting his programme for sometime now - and I have to say

> that the XMRV announcement only makes me more keen to do so. Just a

> few weeks ago one of 's patients posted on this list (sorry, I

> forget the name), summarising a recent consultation in which he

> explained how & his colleagues were becoming less convinced

> that ANS dysfunction was secondary to immune dysfunction - due to the

> fact XMRV has a cortisol receptor.