Re: SUPPRESSED NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS

[Guest guest]

Hey Mama, Thanks!!!!

I read on the 'Human Adjuvant' website that the suppressed natural killer cells

may be the

cause of the systemic fungas (candida) that we all seem to have ...

I am on Nystantin again, with 'fungal defense'....my skin is clearing, again.

>

> SUPPRESSED NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS

> WITH SILICONE IMPLANTS: REVERSAL UPON EXPLANTATION BY:

>

>

> ANDREW W, CAMPBELL, M.D., Clinical assistant professor, University

> of

> Texas

> Health Science Center, Medical Director, Center For Immune,

> Environmental

> and Toxic

> Disorders, Houston, Texas.

> NACHMAN BRAUTBAR, M.D., clinical Professor of Medicine, University

> of

> Southern California School of Medicine, Medical Director, Center for

> International

> Occupational and Toxicological Medicine, Los Angeles, California.

> ARISTO VOJDANI, PH.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Drew

> University

> School

> of Medicine and Science, Department of Medicine and Dermatology,

> Director,

> Immunosciences Lab, Inc., Los Angeles, California.

> PUBLISHED, TOXICOLOGY AND INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 10: 3 MAY - JUNE

> 1994

>

>

> Address all correspondence to:

> W. , M.D.

> 14441 Memorial Drive, Suite 6

> Houston, Texas 77079

> Reprinted with the permission of W. , M.D.

>

>

> SUPPRESSED NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH

> SILICONE

> EXPLANTATION - ABSTRACT

>

>

> We have previously shown that natural killer cell activity is

> significantly suppressed in

> patients with silicone breast implants. These patients were

> symptomatic

> and the suppression

> of natural killer cell activity was associated with additional

> significant

> immunological

> abnormalities. (1) Our studies have recently been confirmed by

> Srnith et

> al., (2) who

> described natural killer cell activity suppression following

> exposure to

> silicone gel. and

> reversal upon removal of the gel.

>

>

> This study has been designed to evaluate the natural killer cell

> activities in symptomatic

> women with silicone breast implants after implantation and after the

> explantation of the

> implants. Each patient served as its own control. Our findings show

> a

> marked significant

> increase in previously suppressed natural killer cell activity.

> These

> findings are compatible

> with the recent studies in experimental animals, showing that

> administration of silicone

> reduces natural killer cell activity. and that this is reversible

> upon

> removal of silicone.

>

>

> Since NK cells are important in the control of tumor cell growth we

> propose here that

> patients with reduced NK cell activity are at a higher risk of

> developing

> cancer. a notion

> recently described in experimental animals. (3 & 4) *Nachman

> Brautbar,

> M.D. to whom all

> communications should be addressed at: 2222 Ocean View Avenue, Los

> Angles.

> California

> 90057

>

>

> INTRODUCTION

> NK cells are sensitive indicators of activation by biologic response

> modifiers, and their

> monitoring has been used to document alteration in the activity of

> circulating immune cells,

> Abnormalities in NK cell activities have also been described in

> Autoimmune

> Disorders.

> Most recently, NK cell activities have been shown to be affected in

> patients exposed to

> chemicals, and in patients with silicone breast implants.

>

>

> Since the symptomatology of patients with silicone breast implants

> has

> been associated with

> multiple immunological abnormalities, including production of

> autoantibodies.(',',',')

> stimulation and suppression of T cells, (1) elevation of circulatory

> immune complexes, (1)

> and since the reversal of symptomology upon removal of the implants

> has

> been associated

> with reversal of the immunological abnormalities, (5 )it is logical

> to

> suggest that

> immunological marker, such as NK cell activity, will follow these

> patterns: Suppression as a

> result of exposure to silicone and reversal to normalization upon

> removal

> of the silicone.

> Indeed, our studies here support this notion and further support the

> concept of an immune

> response to silicone breast implants.

>

>

> PATIENTS AND METHODS

> Forty women who underwent silicone breast implants and were

> evaluated for

> symptoms

> ranging from joint pain, muscle pain central nervous system

> symptomatology, skin rashes

> and myalgias (3) have been studied. Natural Killer cell activities

> were

> studied prior to the

> explantation and 3 to 15 months after explantation with an average

> of 8

> months: +/- 1.2 S.

> E.

>

>

> ANALYSIS OF NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITIES

> Separation of Human PBL Mononuclear cells from patients and controls

> were

> separated

> from the fresh whole blood by Ficoll-hypaque density gradient

> centrifugation (Litton

> Bionetics, Rockville, MD). The lymphocyte band at the interface was

> collected and cells

> pelleted by centrifugation, washed twice in RPMI- 1640 and suspended

> in

> complete medium,

> consisting of RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10)% human AB serum, 2mM

> glutamine,

> 25mM Hepes (pH 7.2), 50 units penicillin, and 50 units streptomycin

> per mi.

>

>

> NK Cell Cytotoxicity Assay A modified (51)CR-release assay, as

> described

> previously, was

> employed. Briefly, 1X10(4) (51)Cr-labeled K562 target cells (New

> England

> Nuclear

> Corporation, Boston, MA) in 0. I mil CM were added per well in

> microliter

> plates. Effector

> cells were pipetted into quadruplicate wells to give effector:target

> cell

> ratios of 100: 1, 50: 1

> and 25: 1. These cells were allowed to interact at 3 7degC for 4 hr

> in an

> atmosphere of 5%

> C02/95% air.

>

>

> (51)Cr-release was determined by centrifuging the plates at 1000 x g

> for 5

> min and

> harvesting 0.1 ml of the culture supernatant for counting gamma

> counter.

> Total release was

> determined by adding 100 ul of 1.0% Triton X-100 and spontaneous

> release

> by adding

> labeled target cells alone in CM.

>

>

> The percent " Cr-release was determined by the experimental (R(e)),

> spontaneous (R(s)). and

> total (R(t)) release by the following formula:

> " Cr-release = (R(e)) - (R(s))

> ------- x 100%

> (R(t))- (R(s))

>

>

> Lytic units (LU) were calculated from effector titration curves, and

> (1)LU

> was defined as

> the number of effector cells required to achieve 20% lysis. LU/ 10

> (6) is

> the number of LU

> in 10(6) effector cells. For assay reproductability, recommended

> criteria

> were employed,

> Statistical analysis of significance utilized the paired + test and

> the

> difference of the means

> of the of the 2 groups studied.

>

>

> RESULTS

> Table I shows the individual values for natural killer cell

> activities

> prior to explantation and

> after explantation.

>

>

> There was a marked and significant increase in natural killer cell

> activity after explantation.

> Natural killer cell activity was 27.00Ò3.0 (S.E.) Prior to

> explantation

> and 36.89+- 3,7 (S.E.)

> after explantation. The average age of implants was 9.5 years Ò

> 0.96. P

> value for the

> difference of the means between NK cell I and NK cell III was

> P<0.032.

>

>

> DISCUSSION

> Previous studies reported from our laboratory have shown a

> significant and

> marked

> reduction of natural killer cell activities in patients with

> silicone

> breast implants. (1) This

> reduction was attributed to direct effect by silicone through

> activation

> of cellular or

> humoral mechanisms secondary to an immune response to adjuvant

> effects of

> silicone.

>

>

> The following functions have been ascribed to natural killer cells:

> 1) control of tumor cell growth

> 2) involvement in the control of microbial infections,

> 3) immunoregulatory properties

> 4) involvement in the development of graft versus host disease,

> 5) contributes to the development of some forms of diabetes, and

> 6) involvement in various gastrointestinal diseases. (7) Natural

> killer

> cells mediate a

> non-major histocompatibility complex with restricted killing against

> target cells, which are

> termed " NK susceptible. " This lytic activity can be observed

> against a

> variety of neoplastic

> and viral-infected cells in non-major histocompatibility complex

> restricted function.

> Inhibition of natural killer cell activity has been described using

> prostaglandin A and E

> glucocorticoids and prolactin as well as luteinizing hormone.

> Exposure of

> murine or human

> natural killer cells to agents such as anti-asialo-GNfl or

> Prostaglandins

> induce dose-response

> suppression. Other cellular mechanisms have been described in

> association

> with suppression

> of natural killer cells, including suppressor cells, which play a

> physiological role in

> regulation of NK cell activity in vivo. Most recently, exposure to

> orgarfic solvents has been

> shown to cause suppression of NK cell activity and stimulation of

> several

> autoantibodies. (8)

> Our findings here show that the suppressed activity of the natural

> killer

> cells is reversed and

> improved markedly upon removal of the silicone implants, indicating

> that

> the direct or

> indirect effect of the silicone breast implants, which caused

> suppression

> of natural killer cell

> activities, has been eliminated by removal of the silicone, the

> causative

> agent. This was not

> correlated with the length of implantation which ranged anywhere

> from 0.6

> to 16 years

> with an average of 9.5 +- 0.96 years, nor was this correlated with

> the

> length of time period

> from the explantation.

>

>

> Our studies here are in agreement with the studies reported recently

> by

> et al., (2)

> which reported in rats implanted with silicone gel a marked

> reduction, in

> natural killer cell

> activity, and reversal of this suppression immediately following

> removal

> of the implants.

>

>

> Our studies here demonstrate clearly that symptomatic patients with

> silicone breast implants

> significantly are associated with a marked reduction of natural

> killer

> cell activity, and that

> this reduction is improved upon removal of the silicone breast

> implants.

> The issue of cancer

> development in patients with silicone breast implants has not been

> addressed at the

> molecular level, nor has it been addressed at the clinical level.

>

>

> Recent studies (9) have shown carcinogenicity of silicone in

> experimental

> animals. Indeed,

> these studies were followed by an editorial calling for

> epidemiological

> studies in patients

> with silicone breast implants to further evaluate the incidence of

> hematological

> malignancy.(10) These investigators did not measure natural killer

> cell

> activities in these

> studies, however, based on our clinical studies here, and on the

> experimental studies by

> et al, (2) it is strongly suggested that one mechanism

> contributing to the

> carcinogenicity is the reduced activity or inhibition of natural

> killer

> cells. The actual

> mechanisms by which silicone inhibits NK cell activity is not clear.

> Additional studies at the

> molecular level are required to further understand the mechanism of

> suppression of NK cell

> activity by silicone.

>

>

> Our studies described here indicate that silicone does inhibit the

> functions of natural killer

> cell activities and that this inhibition is reversible, however, may

> be

> associated with

> reduction of ability to control tumor cells, and in those patients

> who

> have chronic reduction

> of natural killer cell activity, may be associated with

> carcinogenicy. We

> propose clinical

> studies to find the incidence of cancers in patients with silicone

> breast

> implants.

>

>

> REFERENCES:

> 1. Vojdani A, A, Brautbar N Immune Functional Impairment in

> Patients with

> Clinical Abnormalities and Silicone Breast Implants. Toxicology and

> Industrial Health 1992;

> 8;415-429.

>

>

> 2. SD, Gerber DC, Butterworth LF, McCay JA, White KL, Munson

> AE.

> Natural

> Killer Cell Activity is Suppressed Following Exposure to Silicone

> Gel.

> Society of

> Toxicology. Dallas, 03/1994.

>

>

> 3. Kumagai Y, Shiokawa Y, Medsger TA, Jr., Rodnan GP. Clinical

> Spectrum of

> Connective

> Tissue Disease After Cosmetic Surgery. Arthritis and Rheumatism,

> 1984;2791:9-12,

>

>

> 4. Weiner SR, Clements PJ, us HH. Connective Tissue Disease

> After

> Augmentation

> mammoplasty. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 1989; 23:23-24.

>

>

> 5. Kaiser W, Biesenbach G, Stubby U, Graffinger P, Zazgomik J. Human

> Adjuvant Disease:

> Remission of Silicone-Induced Disease After Explantation of Breast

> Augmentation.

> European Journal of Surgical Oncology 1990; 16:468-69.

>

>

> 6. Bridges AJ, Connelly C, Wong G, Bums DE, Vassey FB. A Clinical

> and

> Immunological

> Evaluation of Women with Silicone Breast Implants and Symptoms of

> Rheumatic Disease.

> ls of Internal Medicine, 1993; 118:929-36.

>

>

> 7. , C.E. McGee, J.O.D. Editors. The Natural Killer Cell.

> Department

> of Pathology

> and Bacteriology, University of Oxford, IRL Press, Oxford University

> Press, 1992- Page 7.

>

>

> 8. VOJDANI A, Ghoneum M, Brautbar N. Immune Alteration Associated

> with

> no

> Exposure

> to Toxic Chemicals. Toxicology and Industrial Health. 1992; 8:231-

> 246.

>

>

> 9. Potter, M., on, S., Weiner, F., Zhang, K.K., , F.W.,

> Journal of National

> Cancer Institute, 1986-) (14) July 7/20/94.

>

>

> 10. Salmon; S.E., , RA.. Silicone gels, induction of plasma cell

> tumors, and genetic

> susceptibility in mice: A call for epidemiological investigation of

> women

> with silicone

> breast implants. Journal of National Cancer Institute. 86; 14, July

> 1994.

[Guest guest]

--- What does Nystantin do, isnt that precription. Also you said ur

skin was clearing, what skin problems did you have?

In , " MollyBloom54 " <jawlaw93@y...>

wrote:

> Hey Mama, Thanks!!!!

> I read on the 'Human Adjuvant' website that the suppressed natural

killer cells may be the

> cause of the systemic fungas (candida) that we all seem to have ...

> I am on Nystantin again, with 'fungal defense'....my skin is

clearing, again.

>

>

> >

> > SUPPRESSED NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS

> > WITH SILICONE IMPLANTS: REVERSAL UPON EXPLANTATION BY:

> >

> >

> > ANDREW W, CAMPBELL, M.D., Clinical assistant professor,

University

> > of

> > Texas

> > Health Science Center, Medical Director, Center For Immune,

> > Environmental

> > and Toxic

> > Disorders, Houston, Texas.

> > NACHMAN BRAUTBAR, M.D., clinical Professor of Medicine,

University

> > of

> > Southern California School of Medicine, Medical Director, Center

for

> > International

> > Occupational and Toxicological Medicine, Los Angeles,

California.

> > ARISTO VOJDANI, PH.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Drew

> > University

> > School

> > of Medicine and Science, Department of Medicine and Dermatology,

> > Director,

> > Immunosciences Lab, Inc., Los Angeles, California.

> > PUBLISHED, TOXICOLOGY AND INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 10: 3 MAY - JUNE

> > 1994

> >

> >

> > Address all correspondence to:

> > W. , M.D.

> > 14441 Memorial Drive, Suite 6

> > Houston, Texas 77079

> > Reprinted with the permission of W. , M.D.

> >

> >

> > SUPPRESSED NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH

> > SILICONE

> > EXPLANTATION - ABSTRACT

> >

> >

> > We have previously shown that natural killer cell activity is

> > significantly suppressed in

> > patients with silicone breast implants. These patients were

> > symptomatic

> > and the suppression

> > of natural killer cell activity was associated with additional

> > significant

> > immunological

> > abnormalities. (1) Our studies have recently been confirmed by

> > Srnith et

> > al., (2) who

> > described natural killer cell activity suppression following

> > exposure to

> > silicone gel. and

> > reversal upon removal of the gel.

> >

> >

> > This study has been designed to evaluate the natural killer cell

> > activities in symptomatic

> > women with silicone breast implants after implantation and after

the

> > explantation of the

> > implants. Each patient served as its own control. Our findings

show

> > a

> > marked significant

> > increase in previously suppressed natural killer cell activity.

> > These

> > findings are compatible

> > with the recent studies in experimental animals, showing that

> > administration of silicone

> > reduces natural killer cell activity. and that this is

reversible

> > upon

> > removal of silicone.

> >

> >

> > Since NK cells are important in the control of tumor cell growth

we

> > propose here that

> > patients with reduced NK cell activity are at a higher risk of

> > developing

> > cancer. a notion

> > recently described in experimental animals. (3 & 4) *Nachman

> > Brautbar,

> > M.D. to whom all

> > communications should be addressed at: 2222 Ocean View Avenue,

Los

> > Angles.

> > California

> > 90057

> >

> >

> > INTRODUCTION

> > NK cells are sensitive indicators of activation by biologic

response

> > modifiers, and their

> > monitoring has been used to document alteration in the activity

of

> > circulating immune cells,

> > Abnormalities in NK cell activities have also been described in

> > Autoimmune

> > Disorders.

> > Most recently, NK cell activities have been shown to be affected

in

> > patients exposed to

> > chemicals, and in patients with silicone breast implants.

> >

> >

> > Since the symptomatology of patients with silicone breast

implants

> > has

> > been associated with

> > multiple immunological abnormalities, including production of

> > autoantibodies.(',',',')

> > stimulation and suppression of T cells, (1) elevation of

circulatory

> > immune complexes, (1)

> > and since the reversal of symptomology upon removal of the

implants

> > has

> > been associated

> > with reversal of the immunological abnormalities, (5 )it is

logical

> > to

> > suggest that

> > immunological marker, such as NK cell activity, will follow

these

> > patterns: Suppression as a

> > result of exposure to silicone and reversal to normalization

upon

> > removal

> > of the silicone.

> > Indeed, our studies here support this notion and further support

the

> > concept of an immune

> > response to silicone breast implants.

> >

> >

> > PATIENTS AND METHODS

> > Forty women who underwent silicone breast implants and were

> > evaluated for

> > symptoms

> > ranging from joint pain, muscle pain central nervous system

> > symptomatology, skin rashes

> > and myalgias (3) have been studied. Natural Killer cell

activities

> > were

> > studied prior to the

> > explantation and 3 to 15 months after explantation with an

average

> > of 8

> > months: +/- 1.2 S.

> > E.

> >

> >

> > ANALYSIS OF NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITIES

> > Separation of Human PBL Mononuclear cells from patients and

controls

> > were

> > separated

> > from the fresh whole blood by Ficoll-hypaque density gradient

> > centrifugation (Litton

> > Bionetics, Rockville, MD). The lymphocyte band at the interface

was

> > collected and cells

> > pelleted by centrifugation, washed twice in RPMI- 1640 and

suspended

> > in

> > complete medium,

> > consisting of RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10)% human AB serum,

2mM

> > glutamine,

> > 25mM Hepes (pH 7.2), 50 units penicillin, and 50 units

streptomycin

> > per mi.

> >

> >

> > NK Cell Cytotoxicity Assay A modified (51)CR-release assay, as

> > described

> > previously, was

> > employed. Briefly, 1X10(4) (51)Cr-labeled K562 target cells (New

> > England

> > Nuclear

> > Corporation, Boston, MA) in 0. I mil CM were added per well in

> > microliter

> > plates. Effector

> > cells were pipetted into quadruplicate wells to give

effector:target

> > cell

> > ratios of 100: 1, 50: 1

> > and 25: 1. These cells were allowed to interact at 3 7degC for 4

hr

> > in an

> > atmosphere of 5%

> > C02/95% air.

> >

> >

> > (51)Cr-release was determined by centrifuging the plates at 1000

x g

> > for 5

> > min and

> > harvesting 0.1 ml of the culture supernatant for counting gamma

> > counter.

> > Total release was

> > determined by adding 100 ul of 1.0% Triton X-100 and spontaneous

> > release

> > by adding

> > labeled target cells alone in CM.

> >

> >

> > The percent " Cr-release was determined by the experimental (R

(e)),

> > spontaneous (R(s)). and

> > total (R(t)) release by the following formula:

> > " Cr-release = (R(e)) - (R(s))

> > ------- x 100%

> > (R(t))- (R(s))

> >

> >

> > Lytic units (LU) were calculated from effector titration curves,

and

> > (1)LU

> > was defined as

> > the number of effector cells required to achieve 20% lysis. LU/

10

> > (6) is

> > the number of LU

> > in 10(6) effector cells. For assay reproductability, recommended

> > criteria

> > were employed,

> > Statistical analysis of significance utilized the paired + test

and

> > the

> > difference of the means

> > of the of the 2 groups studied.

> >

> >

> > RESULTS

> > Table I shows the individual values for natural killer cell

> > activities

> > prior to explantation and

> > after explantation.

> >

> >

> > There was a marked and significant increase in natural killer

cell

> > activity after explantation.

> > Natural killer cell activity was 27.00Ò3.0 (S.E.) Prior to

> > explantation

> > and 36.89+- 3,7 (S.E.)

> > after explantation. The average age of implants was 9.5 years Ò

> > 0.96. P

> > value for the

> > difference of the means between NK cell I and NK cell III was

> > P<0.032.

> >

> >

> > DISCUSSION

> > Previous studies reported from our laboratory have shown a

> > significant and

> > marked

> > reduction of natural killer cell activities in patients with

> > silicone

> > breast implants. (1) This

> > reduction was attributed to direct effect by silicone through

> > activation

> > of cellular or

> > humoral mechanisms secondary to an immune response to adjuvant

> > effects of

> > silicone.

> >

> >

> > The following functions have been ascribed to natural killer

cells:

> > 1) control of tumor cell growth

> > 2) involvement in the control of microbial infections,

> > 3) immunoregulatory properties

> > 4) involvement in the development of graft versus host disease,

> > 5) contributes to the development of some forms of diabetes, and

> > 6) involvement in various gastrointestinal diseases. (7) Natural

> > killer

> > cells mediate a

> > non-major histocompatibility complex with restricted killing

against

> > target cells, which are

> > termed " NK susceptible. " This lytic activity can be observed

> > against a

> > variety of neoplastic

> > and viral-infected cells in non-major histocompatibility complex

> > restricted function.

> > Inhibition of natural killer cell activity has been described

using

> > prostaglandin A and E

> > glucocorticoids and prolactin as well as luteinizing hormone.

> > Exposure of

> > murine or human

> > natural killer cells to agents such as anti-asialo-GNfl or

> > Prostaglandins

> > induce dose-response

> > suppression. Other cellular mechanisms have been described in

> > association

> > with suppression

> > of natural killer cells, including suppressor cells, which play

a

> > physiological role in

> > regulation of NK cell activity in vivo. Most recently, exposure

to

> > orgarfic solvents has been

> > shown to cause suppression of NK cell activity and stimulation

of

> > several

> > autoantibodies. (8)

> > Our findings here show that the suppressed activity of the

natural

> > killer

> > cells is reversed and

> > improved markedly upon removal of the silicone implants,

indicating

> > that

> > the direct or

> > indirect effect of the silicone breast implants, which caused

> > suppression

> > of natural killer cell

> > activities, has been eliminated by removal of the silicone, the

> > causative

> > agent. This was not

> > correlated with the length of implantation which ranged anywhere

> > from 0.6

> > to 16 years

> > with an average of 9.5 +- 0.96 years, nor was this correlated

with

> > the

> > length of time period

> > from the explantation.

> >

> >

> > Our studies here are in agreement with the studies reported

recently

> > by

> > et al., (2)

> > which reported in rats implanted with silicone gel a marked

> > reduction, in

> > natural killer cell

> > activity, and reversal of this suppression immediately following

> > removal

> > of the implants.

> >

> >

> > Our studies here demonstrate clearly that symptomatic patients

with

> > silicone breast implants

> > significantly are associated with a marked reduction of natural

> > killer

> > cell activity, and that

> > this reduction is improved upon removal of the silicone breast

> > implants.

> > The issue of cancer

> > development in patients with silicone breast implants has not

been

> > addressed at the

> > molecular level, nor has it been addressed at the clinical

level.

> >

> >

> > Recent studies (9) have shown carcinogenicity of silicone in

> > experimental

> > animals. Indeed,

> > these studies were followed by an editorial calling for

> > epidemiological

> > studies in patients

> > with silicone breast implants to further evaluate the incidence

of

> > hematological

> > malignancy.(10) These investigators did not measure natural

killer

> > cell

> > activities in these

> > studies, however, based on our clinical studies here, and on the

> > experimental studies by

> > et al, (2) it is strongly suggested that one mechanism

> > contributing to the

> > carcinogenicity is the reduced activity or inhibition of natural

> > killer

> > cells. The actual

> > mechanisms by which silicone inhibits NK cell activity is not

clear.

> > Additional studies at the

> > molecular level are required to further understand the mechanism

of

> > suppression of NK cell

> > activity by silicone.

> >

> >

> > Our studies described here indicate that silicone does inhibit

the

> > functions of natural killer

> > cell activities and that this inhibition is reversible, however,

may

> > be

> > associated with

> > reduction of ability to control tumor cells, and in those

patients

> > who

> > have chronic reduction

> > of natural killer cell activity, may be associated with

> > carcinogenicy. We

> > propose clinical

> > studies to find the incidence of cancers in patients with

silicone

> > breast

> > implants.

> >

> >

> > REFERENCES:

> > 1. Vojdani A, A, Brautbar N Immune Functional

Impairment in

> > Patients with

> > Clinical Abnormalities and Silicone Breast Implants. Toxicology

and

> > Industrial Health 1992;

> > 8;415-429.

> >

> >

> > 2. SD, Gerber DC, Butterworth LF, McCay JA, White KL,

Munson

> > AE.

> > Natural

> > Killer Cell Activity is Suppressed Following Exposure to

Silicone

> > Gel.

> > Society of

> > Toxicology. Dallas, 03/1994.

> >

> >

> > 3. Kumagai Y, Shiokawa Y, Medsger TA, Jr., Rodnan GP. Clinical

> > Spectrum of

> > Connective

> > Tissue Disease After Cosmetic Surgery. Arthritis and Rheumatism,

> > 1984;2791:9-12,

> >

> >

> > 4. Weiner SR, Clements PJ, us HH. Connective Tissue Disease

> > After

> > Augmentation

> > mammoplasty. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 1989; 23:23-24.

> >

> >

> > 5. Kaiser W, Biesenbach G, Stubby U, Graffinger P, Zazgomik J.

Human

> > Adjuvant Disease:

> > Remission of Silicone-Induced Disease After Explantation of

Breast

> > Augmentation.

> > European Journal of Surgical Oncology 1990; 16:468-69.

> >

> >

> > 6. Bridges AJ, Connelly C, Wong G, Bums DE, Vassey FB. A

Clinical

> > and

> > Immunological

> > Evaluation of Women with Silicone Breast Implants and Symptoms

of

> > Rheumatic Disease.

> > ls of Internal Medicine, 1993; 118:929-36.

> >

> >

> > 7. , C.E. McGee, J.O.D. Editors. The Natural Killer Cell.

> > Department

> > of Pathology

> > and Bacteriology, University of Oxford, IRL Press, Oxford

University

> > Press, 1992- Page 7.

> >

> >

> > 8. VOJDANI A, Ghoneum M, Brautbar N. Immune Alteration

Associated

> > with

> > no

> > Exposure

> > to Toxic Chemicals. Toxicology and Industrial Health. 1992;

8:231-

> > 246.

> >

> >

> > 9. Potter, M., on, S., Weiner, F., Zhang, K.K., ,

F.W.,

> > Journal of National

> > Cancer Institute, 1986-) (14) July 7/20/94.

> >

> >

> > 10. Salmon; S.E., , RA.. Silicone gels, induction of plasma

cell

> > tumors, and genetic

> > susceptibility in mice: A call for epidemiological investigation

of

> > women

> > with silicone

> > breast implants. Journal of National Cancer Institute. 86; 14,

July

> > 1994.

[Guest guest]

Yes, Nystantin is a prescription. It is a lot milder (and less toxic to liver)

than diflucan.

I seem to have a lot of different rashes, but the one I am specifically talking

about is an

itchy rash. Before my explant, I had this for 3 years and it got worse and

worse and worse.

I had open wounds on my arms, legs, back from scratching. A 'lesion' would

initially feel

like a small insect bite or sting, and itch. This would continue until it

drove me crazy, and

kept me awake at night scratching.. It was miserable. I had my husband spraying

Raid

outside the window, because I was being eaten up by some small gnat or stinging

insect.

Doctors or dermatologists could not figure it out -- now I understand that it is

becasue

they have no clue about systemic fungus. When Dr. Kolb saw me, she knew

instantly what

it was. She gave me Nystantin then (because I had high liver enzymes) and later

diflucan.

For the first time in years, I had relief from the itching. The rashes

disappeared.

In the last month or so, however, some of the rash has come back. At least this

time, I

knew what it was. I am on Nystantin (it's a liquid) and am taking 'fungal

denfense'.

I'm starting finally to change my diet, and it is a struggle. I have to,

though.

> > >

> > > SUPPRESSED NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS

> > > WITH SILICONE IMPLANTS: REVERSAL UPON EXPLANTATION BY:

> > >

> > >

> > > ANDREW W, CAMPBELL, M.D., Clinical assistant professor,

> University

> > > of

> > > Texas

> > > Health Science Center, Medical Director, Center For Immune,

> > > Environmental

> > > and Toxic

> > > Disorders, Houston, Texas.

> > > NACHMAN BRAUTBAR, M.D., clinical Professor of Medicine,

> University

> > > of

> > > Southern California School of Medicine, Medical Director, Center

> for

> > > International

> > > Occupational and Toxicological Medicine, Los Angeles,

> California.

> > > ARISTO VOJDANI, PH.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Drew

> > > University

> > > School

> > > of Medicine and Science, Department of Medicine and Dermatology,

> > > Director,

> > > Immunosciences Lab, Inc., Los Angeles, California.

> > > PUBLISHED, TOXICOLOGY AND INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 10: 3 MAY - JUNE

> > > 1994

> > >

> > >

> > > Address all correspondence to:

> > > W. , M.D.

> > > 14441 Memorial Drive, Suite 6

> > > Houston, Texas 77079

> > > Reprinted with the permission of W. , M.D.

> > >

> > >

> > > SUPPRESSED NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH

> > > SILICONE

> > > EXPLANTATION - ABSTRACT

> > >

> > >

> > > We have previously shown that natural killer cell activity is

> > > significantly suppressed in

> > > patients with silicone breast implants. These patients were

> > > symptomatic

> > > and the suppression

> > > of natural killer cell activity was associated with additional

> > > significant

> > > immunological

> > > abnormalities. (1) Our studies have recently been confirmed by

> > > Srnith et

> > > al., (2) who

> > > described natural killer cell activity suppression following

> > > exposure to

> > > silicone gel. and

> > > reversal upon removal of the gel.

> > >

> > >

> > > This study has been designed to evaluate the natural killer cell

> > > activities in symptomatic

> > > women with silicone breast implants after implantation and after

> the

> > > explantation of the

> > > implants. Each patient served as its own control. Our findings

> show

> > > a

> > > marked significant

> > > increase in previously suppressed natural killer cell activity.

> > > These

> > > findings are compatible

> > > with the recent studies in experimental animals, showing that

> > > administration of silicone

> > > reduces natural killer cell activity. and that this is

> reversible

> > > upon

> > > removal of silicone.

> > >

> > >

> > > Since NK cells are important in the control of tumor cell growth

> we

> > > propose here that

> > > patients with reduced NK cell activity are at a higher risk of

> > > developing

> > > cancer. a notion

> > > recently described in experimental animals. (3 & 4) *Nachman

> > > Brautbar,

> > > M.D. to whom all

> > > communications should be addressed at: 2222 Ocean View Avenue,

> Los

> > > Angles.

> > > California

> > > 90057

> > >

> > >

> > > INTRODUCTION

> > > NK cells are sensitive indicators of activation by biologic

> response

> > > modifiers, and their

> > > monitoring has been used to document alteration in the activity

> of

> > > circulating immune cells,

> > > Abnormalities in NK cell activities have also been described in

> > > Autoimmune

> > > Disorders.

> > > Most recently, NK cell activities have been shown to be affected

> in

> > > patients exposed to

> > > chemicals, and in patients with silicone breast implants.

> > >

> > >

> > > Since the symptomatology of patients with silicone breast

> implants

> > > has

> > > been associated with

> > > multiple immunological abnormalities, including production of

> > > autoantibodies.(',',',')

> > > stimulation and suppression of T cells, (1) elevation of

> circulatory

> > > immune complexes, (1)

> > > and since the reversal of symptomology upon removal of the

> implants

> > > has

> > > been associated

> > > with reversal of the immunological abnormalities, (5 )it is

> logical

> > > to

> > > suggest that

> > > immunological marker, such as NK cell activity, will follow

> these

> > > patterns: Suppression as a

> > > result of exposure to silicone and reversal to normalization

> upon

> > > removal

> > > of the silicone.

> > > Indeed, our studies here support this notion and further support

> the

> > > concept of an immune

> > > response to silicone breast implants.

> > >

> > >

> > > PATIENTS AND METHODS

> > > Forty women who underwent silicone breast implants and were

> > > evaluated for

> > > symptoms

> > > ranging from joint pain, muscle pain central nervous system

> > > symptomatology, skin rashes

> > > and myalgias (3) have been studied. Natural Killer cell

> activities

> > > were

> > > studied prior to the

> > > explantation and 3 to 15 months after explantation with an

> average

> > > of 8

> > > months: +/- 1.2 S.

> > > E.

> > >

> > >

> > > ANALYSIS OF NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITIES

> > > Separation of Human PBL Mononuclear cells from patients and

> controls

> > > were

> > > separated

> > > from the fresh whole blood by Ficoll-hypaque density gradient

> > > centrifugation (Litton

> > > Bionetics, Rockville, MD). The lymphocyte band at the interface

> was

> > > collected and cells

> > > pelleted by centrifugation, washed twice in RPMI- 1640 and

> suspended

> > > in

> > > complete medium,

> > > consisting of RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10)% human AB serum,

> 2mM

> > > glutamine,

> > > 25mM Hepes (pH 7.2), 50 units penicillin, and 50 units

> streptomycin

> > > per mi.

> > >

> > >

> > > NK Cell Cytotoxicity Assay A modified (51)CR-release assay, as

> > > described

> > > previously, was

> > > employed. Briefly, 1X10(4) (51)Cr-labeled K562 target cells (New

> > > England

> > > Nuclear

> > > Corporation, Boston, MA) in 0. I mil CM were added per well in

> > > microliter

> > > plates. Effector

> > > cells were pipetted into quadruplicate wells to give

> effector:target

> > > cell

> > > ratios of 100: 1, 50: 1

> > > and 25: 1. These cells were allowed to interact at 3 7degC for 4

> hr

> > > in an

> > > atmosphere of 5%

> > > C02/95% air.

> > >

> > >

> > > (51)Cr-release was determined by centrifuging the plates at 1000

> x g

> > > for 5

> > > min and

> > > harvesting 0.1 ml of the culture supernatant for counting gamma

> > > counter.

> > > Total release was

> > > determined by adding 100 ul of 1.0% Triton X-100 and spontaneous

> > > release

> > > by adding

> > > labeled target cells alone in CM.

> > >

> > >

> > > The percent " Cr-release was determined by the experimental (R

> (e)),

> > > spontaneous (R(s)). and

> > > total (R(t)) release by the following formula:

> > > " Cr-release = (R(e)) - (R(s))

> > > ------- x 100%

> > > (R(t))- (R(s))

> > >

> > >

> > > Lytic units (LU) were calculated from effector titration curves,

> and

> > > (1)LU

> > > was defined as

> > > the number of effector cells required to achieve 20% lysis. LU/

> 10

> > > (6) is

> > > the number of LU

> > > in 10(6) effector cells. For assay reproductability, recommended

> > > criteria

> > > were employed,

> > > Statistical analysis of significance utilized the paired + test

> and

> > > the

> > > difference of the means

> > > of the of the 2 groups studied.

> > >

> > >

> > > RESULTS

> > > Table I shows the individual values for natural killer cell

> > > activities

> > > prior to explantation and

> > > after explantation.

> > >

> > >

> > > There was a marked and significant increase in natural killer

> cell

> > > activity after explantation.

> > > Natural killer cell activity was 27.00Ò3.0 (S.E.) Prior to

> > > explantation

> > > and 36.89+- 3,7 (S.E.)

> > > after explantation. The average age of implants was 9.5 years Ò

> > > 0.96. P

> > > value for the

> > > difference of the means between NK cell I and NK cell III was

> > > P<0.032.

> > >

> > >

> > > DISCUSSION

> > > Previous studies reported from our laboratory have shown a

> > > significant and

> > > marked

> > > reduction of natural killer cell activities in patients with

> > > silicone

> > > breast implants. (1) This

> > > reduction was attributed to direct effect by silicone through

> > > activation

> > > of cellular or

> > > humoral mechanisms secondary to an immune response to adjuvant

> > > effects of

> > > silicone.

> > >

> > >

> > > The following functions have been ascribed to natural killer

> cells:

> > > 1) control of tumor cell growth

> > > 2) involvement in the control of microbial infections,

> > > 3) immunoregulatory properties

> > > 4) involvement in the development of graft versus host disease,

> > > 5) contributes to the development of some forms of diabetes, and

> > > 6) involvement in various gastrointestinal diseases. (7) Natural

> > > killer

> > > cells mediate a

> > > non-major histocompatibility complex with restricted killing

> against

> > > target cells, which are

> > > termed " NK susceptible. " This lytic activity can be observed

> > > against a

> > > variety of neoplastic

> > > and viral-infected cells in non-major histocompatibility complex

> > > restricted function.

> > > Inhibition of natural killer cell activity has been described

> using

> > > prostaglandin A and E

> > > glucocorticoids and prolactin as well as luteinizing hormone.

> > > Exposure of

> > > murine or human

> > > natural killer cells to agents such as anti-asialo-GNfl or

> > > Prostaglandins

> > > induce dose-response

> > > suppression. Other cellular mechanisms have been described in

> > > association

> > > with suppression

> > > of natural killer cells, including suppressor cells, which play

> a

> > > physiological role in

> > > regulation of NK cell activity in vivo. Most recently, exposure

> to

> > > orgarfic solvents has been

> > > shown to cause suppression of NK cell activity and stimulation

> of

> > > several

> > > autoantibodies. (8)

> > > Our findings here show that the suppressed activity of the

> natural

> > > killer

> > > cells is reversed and

> > > improved markedly upon removal of the silicone implants,

> indicating

> > > that

> > > the direct or

> > > indirect effect of the silicone breast implants, which caused

> > > suppression

> > > of natural killer cell

> > > activities, has been eliminated by removal of the silicone, the

> > > causative

> > > agent. This was not

> > > correlated with the length of implantation which ranged anywhere

> > > from 0.6

> > > to 16 years

> > > with an average of 9.5 +- 0.96 years, nor was this correlated

> with

> > > the

> > > length of time period

> > > from the explantation.

> > >

> > >

> > > Our studies here are in agreement with the studies reported

> recently

> > > by

> > > et al., (2)

> > > which reported in rats implanted with silicone gel a marked

> > > reduction, in

> > > natural killer cell

> > > activity, and reversal of this suppression immediately following

> > > removal

> > > of the implants.

> > >

> > >

> > > Our studies here demonstrate clearly that symptomatic patients

> with

> > > silicone breast implants

> > > significantly are associated with a marked reduction of natural

> > > killer

> > > cell activity, and that

> > > this reduction is improved upon removal of the silicone breast

> > > implants.

> > > The issue of cancer

> > > development in patients with silicone breast implants has not

> been

> > > addressed at the

> > > molecular level, nor has it been addressed at the clinical

> level.

> > >

> > >

> > > Recent studies (9) have shown carcinogenicity of silicone in

> > > experimental

> > > animals. Indeed,

> > > these studies were followed by an editorial calling for

> > > epidemiological

> > > studies in patients

> > > with silicone breast implants to further evaluate the incidence

> of

> > > hematological

> > > malignancy.(10) These investigators did not measure natural

> killer

> > > cell

> > > activities in these

> > > studies, however, based on our clinical studies here, and on the

> > > experimental studies by

> > > et al, (2) it is strongly suggested that one mechanism

> > > contributing to the

> > > carcinogenicity is the reduced activity or inhibition of natural

> > > killer

> > > cells. The actual

> > > mechanisms by which silicone inhibits NK cell activity is not

> clear.

> > > Additional studies at the

> > > molecular level are required to further understand the mechanism

> of

> > > suppression of NK cell

> > > activity by silicone.

> > >

> > >

> > > Our studies described here indicate that silicone does inhibit

> the

> > > functions of natural killer

> > > cell activities and that this inhibition is reversible, however,

> may

> > > be

> > > associated with

> > > reduction of ability to control tumor cells, and in those

> patients

> > > who

> > > have chronic reduction

> > > of natural killer cell activity, may be associated with

> > > carcinogenicy. We

> > > propose clinical

> > > studies to find the incidence of cancers in patients with

> silicone

> > > breast

> > > implants.

> > >

> > >

> > > REFERENCES:

> > > 1. Vojdani A, A, Brautbar N Immune Functional

> Impairment in

> > > Patients with

> > > Clinical Abnormalities and Silicone Breast Implants. Toxicology

> and

> > > Industrial Health 1992;

> > > 8;415-429.

> > >

> > >

> > > 2. SD, Gerber DC, Butterworth LF, McCay JA, White KL,

> Munson

> > > AE.

> > > Natural

> > > Killer Cell Activity is Suppressed Following Exposure to

> Silicone

> > > Gel.

> > > Society of

> > > Toxicology. Dallas, 03/1994.

> > >

> > >

> > > 3. Kumagai Y, Shiokawa Y, Medsger TA, Jr., Rodnan GP. Clinical

> > > Spectrum of

> > > Connective

> > > Tissue Disease After Cosmetic Surgery. Arthritis and Rheumatism,

> > > 1984;2791:9-12,

> > >

> > >

> > > 4. Weiner SR, Clements PJ, us HH. Connective Tissue Disease

> > > After

> > > Augmentation

> > > mammoplasty. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 1989; 23:23-24.

> > >

> > >

> > > 5. Kaiser W, Biesenbach G, Stubby U, Graffinger P, Zazgomik J.

> Human

> > > Adjuvant Disease:

> > > Remission of Silicone-Induced Disease After Explantation of

> Breast

> > > Augmentation.

> > > European Journal of Surgical Oncology 1990; 16:468-69.

> > >

> > >

> > > 6. Bridges AJ, Connelly C, Wong G, Bums DE, Vassey FB. A

> Clinical

> > > and

> > > Immunological

> > > Evaluation of Women with Silicone Breast Implants and Symptoms

> of

> > > Rheumatic Disease.

> > > ls of Internal Medicine, 1993; 118:929-36.

> > >

> > >

> > > 7. , C.E. McGee, J.O.D. Editors. The Natural Killer Cell.

> > > Department

> > > of Pathology

> > > and Bacteriology, University of Oxford, IRL Press, Oxford

> University

> > > Press, 1992- Page 7.

> > >

> > >

> > > 8. VOJDANI A, Ghoneum M, Brautbar N. Immune Alteration

> Associated

> > > with

> > > no

> > > Exposure

> > > to Toxic Chemicals. Toxicology and Industrial Health. 1992;

> 8:231-

> > > 246.

> > >

> > >

> > > 9. Potter, M., on, S., Weiner, F., Zhang, K.K., ,

> F.W.,

> > > Journal of National

> > > Cancer Institute, 1986-) (14) July 7/20/94.

> > >

> > >

> > > 10. Salmon; S.E., , RA.. Silicone gels, induction of plasma

> cell

> > > tumors, and genetic

> > > susceptibility in mice: A call for epidemiological investigation

> of

> > > women

> > > with silicone

> > > breast implants. Journal of National Cancer Institute. 86; 14,

> July

> > > 1994.

[Guest guest]

---Now is there a test for systemic fungal infection. I did the

fungal defense and and finishing up the primal defense but i have

never taken anything prescription for it. I have had problems with

my skin for years now, rashes and acne. Actually had a rash similar

to what you described, mine was circular and scally on the outside

and became red and cracked in the middle and eventually would bleed

from me scratching them. Wierd, i always wondered what they were.

Anyway, i would love to know if i need to do more for the fungus. i

didnt have the money to send my implants to Dr. Blais so thats a

disadvantage. Also u said somthing about diflucan, isnt that

supposed to be bad to your system? I just thought i heard somthing

about it a while ago, i could be wrong.

Thanks

Aubrey

In , " MollyBloom54 " <jawlaw93@y...>

wrote:

> Yes, Nystantin is a prescription. It is a lot milder (and less

toxic to liver) than diflucan.

> I seem to have a lot of different rashes, but the one I am

specifically talking about is an

> itchy rash. Before my explant, I had this for 3 years and it got

worse and worse and worse.

> I had open wounds on my arms, legs, back from scratching.

A 'lesion' would initially feel

> like a small insect bite or sting, and itch. This would continue

until it drove me crazy, and

> kept me awake at night scratching.. It was miserable. I had my

husband spraying Raid

> outside the window, because I was being eaten up by some small

gnat or stinging insect.

> Doctors or dermatologists could not figure it out -- now I

understand that it is becasue

> they have no clue about systemic fungus. When Dr. Kolb saw me,

she knew instantly what

> it was. She gave me Nystantin then (because I had high liver

enzymes) and later diflucan.

> For the first time in years, I had relief from the itching. The

rashes disappeared.

> In the last month or so, however, some of the rash has come back.

At least this time, I

> knew what it was. I am on Nystantin (it's a liquid) and am

taking 'fungal denfense'.

> I'm starting finally to change my diet, and it is a struggle. I

have to, though.

>

>

> > > >

> > > > SUPPRESSED NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS

> > > > WITH SILICONE IMPLANTS: REVERSAL UPON EXPLANTATION BY:

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > ANDREW W, CAMPBELL, M.D., Clinical assistant professor,

> > University

> > > > of

> > > > Texas

> > > > Health Science Center, Medical Director, Center For Immune,

> > > > Environmental

> > > > and Toxic

> > > > Disorders, Houston, Texas.

> > > > NACHMAN BRAUTBAR, M.D., clinical Professor of Medicine,

> > University

> > > > of

> > > > Southern California School of Medicine, Medical Director,

Center

> > for

> > > > International

> > > > Occupational and Toxicological Medicine, Los Angeles,

> > California.

> > > > ARISTO VOJDANI, PH.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Drew

> > > > University

> > > > School

> > > > of Medicine and Science, Department of Medicine and

Dermatology,

> > > > Director,

> > > > Immunosciences Lab, Inc., Los Angeles, California.

> > > > PUBLISHED, TOXICOLOGY AND INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 10: 3 MAY - JUNE

> > > > 1994

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Address all correspondence to:

> > > > W. , M.D.

> > > > 14441 Memorial Drive, Suite 6

> > > > Houston, Texas 77079

> > > > Reprinted with the permission of W. , M.D.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > SUPPRESSED NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH

> > > > SILICONE

> > > > EXPLANTATION - ABSTRACT

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > We have previously shown that natural killer cell activity

is

> > > > significantly suppressed in

> > > > patients with silicone breast implants. These patients were

> > > > symptomatic

> > > > and the suppression

> > > > of natural killer cell activity was associated with

additional

> > > > significant

> > > > immunological

> > > > abnormalities. (1) Our studies have recently been confirmed

by

> > > > Srnith et

> > > > al., (2) who

> > > > described natural killer cell activity suppression following

> > > > exposure to

> > > > silicone gel. and

> > > > reversal upon removal of the gel.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > This study has been designed to evaluate the natural killer

cell

> > > > activities in symptomatic

> > > > women with silicone breast implants after implantation and

after

> > the

> > > > explantation of the

> > > > implants. Each patient served as its own control. Our

findings

> > show

> > > > a

> > > > marked significant

> > > > increase in previously suppressed natural killer cell

activity.

> > > > These

> > > > findings are compatible

> > > > with the recent studies in experimental animals, showing

that

> > > > administration of silicone

> > > > reduces natural killer cell activity. and that this is

> > reversible

> > > > upon

> > > > removal of silicone.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Since NK cells are important in the control of tumor cell

growth

> > we

> > > > propose here that

> > > > patients with reduced NK cell activity are at a higher risk

of

> > > > developing

> > > > cancer. a notion

> > > > recently described in experimental animals. (3 & 4) *Nachman

> > > > Brautbar,

> > > > M.D. to whom all

> > > > communications should be addressed at: 2222 Ocean View

Avenue,

> > Los

> > > > Angles.

> > > > California

> > > > 90057

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > INTRODUCTION

> > > > NK cells are sensitive indicators of activation by biologic

> > response

> > > > modifiers, and their

> > > > monitoring has been used to document alteration in the

activity

> > of

> > > > circulating immune cells,

> > > > Abnormalities in NK cell activities have also been described

in

> > > > Autoimmune

> > > > Disorders.

> > > > Most recently, NK cell activities have been shown to be

affected

> > in

> > > > patients exposed to

> > > > chemicals, and in patients with silicone breast implants.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Since the symptomatology of patients with silicone breast

> > implants

> > > > has

> > > > been associated with

> > > > multiple immunological abnormalities, including production

of

> > > > autoantibodies.(',',',')

> > > > stimulation and suppression of T cells, (1) elevation of

> > circulatory

> > > > immune complexes, (1)

> > > > and since the reversal of symptomology upon removal of the

> > implants

> > > > has

> > > > been associated

> > > > with reversal of the immunological abnormalities, (5 )it is

> > logical

> > > > to

> > > > suggest that

> > > > immunological marker, such as NK cell activity, will follow

> > these

> > > > patterns: Suppression as a

> > > > result of exposure to silicone and reversal to normalization

> > upon

> > > > removal

> > > > of the silicone.

> > > > Indeed, our studies here support this notion and further

support

> > the

> > > > concept of an immune

> > > > response to silicone breast implants.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > PATIENTS AND METHODS

> > > > Forty women who underwent silicone breast implants and were

> > > > evaluated for

> > > > symptoms

> > > > ranging from joint pain, muscle pain central nervous system

> > > > symptomatology, skin rashes

> > > > and myalgias (3) have been studied. Natural Killer cell

> > activities

> > > > were

> > > > studied prior to the

> > > > explantation and 3 to 15 months after explantation with an

> > average

> > > > of 8

> > > > months: +/- 1.2 S.

> > > > E.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > ANALYSIS OF NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITIES

> > > > Separation of Human PBL Mononuclear cells from patients and

> > controls

> > > > were

> > > > separated

> > > > from the fresh whole blood by Ficoll-hypaque density

gradient

> > > > centrifugation (Litton

> > > > Bionetics, Rockville, MD). The lymphocyte band at the

interface

> > was

> > > > collected and cells

> > > > pelleted by centrifugation, washed twice in RPMI- 1640 and

> > suspended

> > > > in

> > > > complete medium,

> > > > consisting of RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10)% human AB

serum,

> > 2mM

> > > > glutamine,

> > > > 25mM Hepes (pH 7.2), 50 units penicillin, and 50 units

> > streptomycin

> > > > per mi.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > NK Cell Cytotoxicity Assay A modified (51)CR-release assay,

as

> > > > described

> > > > previously, was

> > > > employed. Briefly, 1X10(4) (51)Cr-labeled K562 target cells

(New

> > > > England

> > > > Nuclear

> > > > Corporation, Boston, MA) in 0. I mil CM were added per well

in

> > > > microliter

> > > > plates. Effector

> > > > cells were pipetted into quadruplicate wells to give

> > effector:target

> > > > cell

> > > > ratios of 100: 1, 50: 1

> > > > and 25: 1. These cells were allowed to interact at 3 7degC

for 4

> > hr

> > > > in an

> > > > atmosphere of 5%

> > > > C02/95% air.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > (51)Cr-release was determined by centrifuging the plates at

1000

> > x g

> > > > for 5

> > > > min and

> > > > harvesting 0.1 ml of the culture supernatant for counting

gamma

> > > > counter.

> > > > Total release was

> > > > determined by adding 100 ul of 1.0% Triton X-100 and

spontaneous

> > > > release

> > > > by adding

> > > > labeled target cells alone in CM.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > The percent " Cr-release was determined by the experimental (R

> > (e)),

> > > > spontaneous (R(s)). and

> > > > total (R(t)) release by the following formula:

> > > > " Cr-release = (R(e)) - (R(s))

> > > > ------- x 100%

> > > > (R(t))- (R(s))

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Lytic units (LU) were calculated from effector titration

curves,

> > and

> > > > (1)LU

> > > > was defined as

> > > > the number of effector cells required to achieve 20% lysis.

LU/

> > 10

> > > > (6) is

> > > > the number of LU

> > > > in 10(6) effector cells. For assay reproductability,

recommended

> > > > criteria

> > > > were employed,

> > > > Statistical analysis of significance utilized the paired +

test

> > and

> > > > the

> > > > difference of the means

> > > > of the of the 2 groups studied.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > RESULTS

> > > > Table I shows the individual values for natural killer cell

> > > > activities

> > > > prior to explantation and

> > > > after explantation.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > There was a marked and significant increase in natural

killer

> > cell

> > > > activity after explantation.

> > > > Natural killer cell activity was 27.00Ò3.0 (S.E.) Prior to

> > > > explantation

> > > > and 36.89+- 3,7 (S.E.)

> > > > after explantation. The average age of implants was 9.5

years Ò

> > > > 0.96. P

> > > > value for the

> > > > difference of the means between NK cell I and NK cell III

was

> > > > P<0.032.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > DISCUSSION

> > > > Previous studies reported from our laboratory have shown a

> > > > significant and

> > > > marked

> > > > reduction of natural killer cell activities in patients with

> > > > silicone

> > > > breast implants. (1) This

> > > > reduction was attributed to direct effect by silicone

through

> > > > activation

> > > > of cellular or

> > > > humoral mechanisms secondary to an immune response to

adjuvant

> > > > effects of

> > > > silicone.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > The following functions have been ascribed to natural killer

> > cells:

> > > > 1) control of tumor cell growth

> > > > 2) involvement in the control of microbial infections,

> > > > 3) immunoregulatory properties

> > > > 4) involvement in the development of graft versus host

disease,

> > > > 5) contributes to the development of some forms of diabetes,

and

> > > > 6) involvement in various gastrointestinal diseases. (7)

Natural

> > > > killer

> > > > cells mediate a

> > > > non-major histocompatibility complex with restricted killing

> > against

> > > > target cells, which are

> > > > termed " NK susceptible. " This lytic activity can be

observed

> > > > against a

> > > > variety of neoplastic

> > > > and viral-infected cells in non-major histocompatibility

complex

> > > > restricted function.

> > > > Inhibition of natural killer cell activity has been

described

> > using

> > > > prostaglandin A and E

> > > > glucocorticoids and prolactin as well as luteinizing

hormone.

> > > > Exposure of

> > > > murine or human

> > > > natural killer cells to agents such as anti-asialo-GNfl or

> > > > Prostaglandins

> > > > induce dose-response

> > > > suppression. Other cellular mechanisms have been described

in

> > > > association

> > > > with suppression

> > > > of natural killer cells, including suppressor cells, which

play

> > a

> > > > physiological role in

> > > > regulation of NK cell activity in vivo. Most recently,

exposure

> > to

> > > > orgarfic solvents has been

> > > > shown to cause suppression of NK cell activity and

stimulation

> > of

> > > > several

> > > > autoantibodies. (8)

> > > > Our findings here show that the suppressed activity of the

> > natural

> > > > killer

> > > > cells is reversed and

> > > > improved markedly upon removal of the silicone implants,

> > indicating

> > > > that

> > > > the direct or

> > > > indirect effect of the silicone breast implants, which

caused

> > > > suppression

> > > > of natural killer cell

> > > > activities, has been eliminated by removal of the silicone,

the

> > > > causative

> > > > agent. This was not

> > > > correlated with the length of implantation which ranged

anywhere

> > > > from 0.6

> > > > to 16 years

> > > > with an average of 9.5 +- 0.96 years, nor was this

correlated

> > with

> > > > the

> > > > length of time period

> > > > from the explantation.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Our studies here are in agreement with the studies reported

> > recently

> > > > by

> > > > et al., (2)

> > > > which reported in rats implanted with silicone gel a marked

> > > > reduction, in

> > > > natural killer cell

> > > > activity, and reversal of this suppression immediately

following

> > > > removal

> > > > of the implants.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Our studies here demonstrate clearly that symptomatic

patients

> > with

> > > > silicone breast implants

> > > > significantly are associated with a marked reduction of

natural

> > > > killer

> > > > cell activity, and that

> > > > this reduction is improved upon removal of the silicone

breast

> > > > implants.

> > > > The issue of cancer

> > > > development in patients with silicone breast implants has

not

> > been

> > > > addressed at the

> > > > molecular level, nor has it been addressed at the clinical

> > level.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Recent studies (9) have shown carcinogenicity of silicone in

> > > > experimental

> > > > animals. Indeed,

> > > > these studies were followed by an editorial calling for

> > > > epidemiological

> > > > studies in patients

> > > > with silicone breast implants to further evaluate the

incidence

> > of

> > > > hematological

> > > > malignancy.(10) These investigators did not measure natural

> > killer

> > > > cell

> > > > activities in these

> > > > studies, however, based on our clinical studies here, and on

the

> > > > experimental studies by

> > > > et al, (2) it is strongly suggested that one mechanism

> > > > contributing to the

> > > > carcinogenicity is the reduced activity or inhibition of

natural

> > > > killer

> > > > cells. The actual

> > > > mechanisms by which silicone inhibits NK cell activity is

not

> > clear.

> > > > Additional studies at the

> > > > molecular level are required to further understand the

mechanism

> > of

> > > > suppression of NK cell

> > > > activity by silicone.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Our studies described here indicate that silicone does

inhibit

> > the

> > > > functions of natural killer

> > > > cell activities and that this inhibition is reversible,

however,

> > may

> > > > be

> > > > associated with

> > > > reduction of ability to control tumor cells, and in those

> > patients

> > > > who

> > > > have chronic reduction

> > > > of natural killer cell activity, may be associated with

> > > > carcinogenicy. We

> > > > propose clinical

> > > > studies to find the incidence of cancers in patients with

> > silicone

> > > > breast

> > > > implants.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > REFERENCES:

> > > > 1. Vojdani A, A, Brautbar N Immune Functional

> > Impairment in

> > > > Patients with

> > > > Clinical Abnormalities and Silicone Breast Implants.

Toxicology

> > and

> > > > Industrial Health 1992;

> > > > 8;415-429.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > 2. SD, Gerber DC, Butterworth LF, McCay JA, White KL,

> > Munson

> > > > AE.

> > > > Natural

> > > > Killer Cell Activity is Suppressed Following Exposure to

> > Silicone

> > > > Gel.

> > > > Society of

> > > > Toxicology. Dallas, 03/1994.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > 3. Kumagai Y, Shiokawa Y, Medsger TA, Jr., Rodnan GP.

Clinical

> > > > Spectrum of

> > > > Connective

> > > > Tissue Disease After Cosmetic Surgery. Arthritis and

Rheumatism,

> > > > 1984;2791:9-12,

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > 4. Weiner SR, Clements PJ, us HH. Connective Tissue

Disease

> > > > After

> > > > Augmentation

> > > > mammoplasty. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 1989; 23:23-24.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > 5. Kaiser W, Biesenbach G, Stubby U, Graffinger P, Zazgomik

J.

> > Human

> > > > Adjuvant Disease:

> > > > Remission of Silicone-Induced Disease After Explantation of

> > Breast

> > > > Augmentation.

> > > > European Journal of Surgical Oncology 1990; 16:468-69.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > 6. Bridges AJ, Connelly C, Wong G, Bums DE, Vassey FB. A

> > Clinical

> > > > and

> > > > Immunological

> > > > Evaluation of Women with Silicone Breast Implants and

Symptoms

> > of

> > > > Rheumatic Disease.

> > > > ls of Internal Medicine, 1993; 118:929-36.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > 7. , C.E. McGee, J.O.D. Editors. The Natural Killer

Cell.

> > > > Department

> > > > of Pathology

> > > > and Bacteriology, University of Oxford, IRL Press, Oxford

> > University

> > > > Press, 1992- Page 7.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > 8. VOJDANI A, Ghoneum M, Brautbar N. Immune Alteration

> > Associated

> > > > with

> > > > no

> > > > Exposure

> > > > to Toxic Chemicals. Toxicology and Industrial Health. 1992;

> > 8:231-

> > > > 246.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > 9. Potter, M., on, S., Weiner, F., Zhang, K.K.,

,

> > F.W.,

> > > > Journal of National

> > > > Cancer Institute, 1986-) (14) July 7/20/94.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > 10. Salmon; S.E., , RA.. Silicone gels, induction of

plasma

> > cell

> > > > tumors, and genetic

> > > > susceptibility in mice: A call for epidemiological

investigation

> > of

> > > > women

> > > > with silicone

> > > > breast implants. Journal of National Cancer Institute. 86;

14,

> > July

> > > > 1994.

[Guest guest]

Hi Aubrey,

There is a test for systemic fungus - candidaitis (sp?). I don't recall what it

is now, but you

can google it. When I had my explant, Dr. Kolb knew what it was because she has

seen so

much of it. And, it did clear up.

Diflucan can be hard on the liver, but you don't take it for very long. Dr.

Kolb did not put

me on Diflucan initially becasue of my liver enzymes. She put me on Nystantin,

which still

helped tremendously.

I don't think that a bad case of systemic fungus will respond just to the herbs

but I may be

wrong. I just asked my internist for a prescription of Nystantin and showed her

what Dr.

Kolb had given me. She had no problem with it. It is clear to me that the long

term

remedy is change in diet; it seems that this candida thing is something you

have to stay

on top of, once you have had it.

But now at least I know what it is and what the symptoms are. It is more

confirmation that

I have to get my act together and clean up my diet.

Most doctors don't 'believe' in systemic function, because supposedly it only

occurs in

extreme cases like AIDS and immune system failure. But, I would say that we fit

into that

category of immune system dysfunction...albeit a different type than AIDS.

I also suspect it is a lot more common than this, anyway, because of the rotten

diets so

many Americans have.

> > > > >

> > > > > SUPPRESSED NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS

> > > > > WITH SILICONE IMPLANTS: REVERSAL UPON EXPLANTATION BY:

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > ANDREW W, CAMPBELL, M.D., Clinical assistant professor,

> > > University

> > > > > of

> > > > > Texas

> > > > > Health Science Center, Medical Director, Center For Immune,

> > > > > Environmental

> > > > > and Toxic

> > > > > Disorders, Houston, Texas.

> > > > > NACHMAN BRAUTBAR, M.D., clinical Professor of Medicine,

> > > University

> > > > > of

> > > > > Southern California School of Medicine, Medical Director,

> Center

> > > for

> > > > > International

> > > > > Occupational and Toxicological Medicine, Los Angeles,

> > > California.

> > > > > ARISTO VOJDANI, PH.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Drew

> > > > > University

> > > > > School

> > > > > of Medicine and Science, Department of Medicine and

> Dermatology,

> > > > > Director,

> > > > > Immunosciences Lab, Inc., Los Angeles, California.

> > > > > PUBLISHED, TOXICOLOGY AND INDUSTRIAL HEALTH 10: 3 MAY - JUNE

> > > > > 1994

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Address all correspondence to:

> > > > > W. , M.D.

> > > > > 14441 Memorial Drive, Suite 6

> > > > > Houston, Texas 77079

> > > > > Reprinted with the permission of W. , M.D.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > SUPPRESSED NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH

> > > > > SILICONE

> > > > > EXPLANTATION - ABSTRACT

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > We have previously shown that natural killer cell activity

> is

> > > > > significantly suppressed in

> > > > > patients with silicone breast implants. These patients were

> > > > > symptomatic

> > > > > and the suppression

> > > > > of natural killer cell activity was associated with

> additional

> > > > > significant

> > > > > immunological

> > > > > abnormalities. (1) Our studies have recently been confirmed

> by

> > > > > Srnith et

> > > > > al., (2) who

> > > > > described natural killer cell activity suppression following

> > > > > exposure to

> > > > > silicone gel. and

> > > > > reversal upon removal of the gel.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > This study has been designed to evaluate the natural killer

> cell

> > > > > activities in symptomatic

> > > > > women with silicone breast implants after implantation and

> after

> > > the

> > > > > explantation of the

> > > > > implants. Each patient served as its own control. Our

> findings

> > > show

> > > > > a

> > > > > marked significant

> > > > > increase in previously suppressed natural killer cell

> activity.

> > > > > These

> > > > > findings are compatible

> > > > > with the recent studies in experimental animals, showing

> that

> > > > > administration of silicone

> > > > > reduces natural killer cell activity. and that this is

> > > reversible

> > > > > upon

> > > > > removal of silicone.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Since NK cells are important in the control of tumor cell

> growth

> > > we

> > > > > propose here that

> > > > > patients with reduced NK cell activity are at a higher risk

> of

> > > > > developing

> > > > > cancer. a notion

> > > > > recently described in experimental animals. (3 & 4) *Nachman

> > > > > Brautbar,

> > > > > M.D. to whom all

> > > > > communications should be addressed at: 2222 Ocean View

> Avenue,

> > > Los

> > > > > Angles.

> > > > > California

> > > > > 90057

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > INTRODUCTION

> > > > > NK cells are sensitive indicators of activation by biologic

> > > response

> > > > > modifiers, and their

> > > > > monitoring has been used to document alteration in the

> activity

> > > of

> > > > > circulating immune cells,

> > > > > Abnormalities in NK cell activities have also been described

> in

> > > > > Autoimmune

> > > > > Disorders.

> > > > > Most recently, NK cell activities have been shown to be

> affected

> > > in

> > > > > patients exposed to

> > > > > chemicals, and in patients with silicone breast implants.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Since the symptomatology of patients with silicone breast

> > > implants

> > > > > has

> > > > > been associated with

> > > > > multiple immunological abnormalities, including production

> of

> > > > > autoantibodies.(',',',')

> > > > > stimulation and suppression of T cells, (1) elevation of

> > > circulatory

> > > > > immune complexes, (1)

> > > > > and since the reversal of symptomology upon removal of the

> > > implants

> > > > > has

> > > > > been associated

> > > > > with reversal of the immunological abnormalities, (5 )it is

> > > logical

> > > > > to

> > > > > suggest that

> > > > > immunological marker, such as NK cell activity, will follow

> > > these

> > > > > patterns: Suppression as a

> > > > > result of exposure to silicone and reversal to normalization

> > > upon

> > > > > removal

> > > > > of the silicone.

> > > > > Indeed, our studies here support this notion and further

> support

> > > the

> > > > > concept of an immune

> > > > > response to silicone breast implants.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > PATIENTS AND METHODS

> > > > > Forty women who underwent silicone breast implants and were

> > > > > evaluated for

> > > > > symptoms

> > > > > ranging from joint pain, muscle pain central nervous system

> > > > > symptomatology, skin rashes

> > > > > and myalgias (3) have been studied. Natural Killer cell

> > > activities

> > > > > were

> > > > > studied prior to the

> > > > > explantation and 3 to 15 months after explantation with an

> > > average

> > > > > of 8

> > > > > months: +/- 1.2 S.

> > > > > E.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > ANALYSIS OF NATURAL KILLER CELL ACTIVITIES

> > > > > Separation of Human PBL Mononuclear cells from patients and

> > > controls

> > > > > were

> > > > > separated

> > > > > from the fresh whole blood by Ficoll-hypaque density

> gradient

> > > > > centrifugation (Litton

> > > > > Bionetics, Rockville, MD). The lymphocyte band at the

> interface

> > > was

> > > > > collected and cells

> > > > > pelleted by centrifugation, washed twice in RPMI- 1640 and

> > > suspended

> > > > > in

> > > > > complete medium,

> > > > > consisting of RPMI-1640 supplemented with 10)% human AB

> serum,

> > > 2mM

> > > > > glutamine,

> > > > > 25mM Hepes (pH 7.2), 50 units penicillin, and 50 units

> > > streptomycin

> > > > > per mi.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > NK Cell Cytotoxicity Assay A modified (51)CR-release assay,

> as

> > > > > described

> > > > > previously, was

> > > > > employed. Briefly, 1X10(4) (51)Cr-labeled K562 target cells

> (New

> > > > > England

> > > > > Nuclear

> > > > > Corporation, Boston, MA) in 0. I mil CM were added per well

> in

> > > > > microliter

> > > > > plates. Effector

> > > > > cells were pipetted into quadruplicate wells to give

> > > effector:target

> > > > > cell

> > > > > ratios of 100: 1, 50: 1

> > > > > and 25: 1. These cells were allowed to interact at 3 7degC

> for 4

> > > hr

> > > > > in an

> > > > > atmosphere of 5%

> > > > > C02/95% air.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > (51)Cr-release was determined by centrifuging the plates at

> 1000

> > > x g

> > > > > for 5

> > > > > min and

> > > > > harvesting 0.1 ml of the culture supernatant for counting

> gamma

> > > > > counter.

> > > > > Total release was

> > > > > determined by adding 100 ul of 1.0% Triton X-100 and

> spontaneous

> > > > > release

> > > > > by adding

> > > > > labeled target cells alone in CM.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > The percent " Cr-release was determined by the experimental (R

> > > (e)),

> > > > > spontaneous (R(s)). and

> > > > > total (R(t)) release by the following formula:

> > > > > " Cr-release = (R(e)) - (R(s))

> > > > > ------- x 100%

> > > > > (R(t))- (R(s))

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Lytic units (LU) were calculated from effector titration

> curves,

> > > and

> > > > > (1)LU

> > > > > was defined as

> > > > > the number of effector cells required to achieve 20% lysis.

> LU/

> > > 10

> > > > > (6) is

> > > > > the number of LU

> > > > > in 10(6) effector cells. For assay reproductability,

> recommended

> > > > > criteria

> > > > > were employed,

> > > > > Statistical analysis of significance utilized the paired +

> test

> > > and

> > > > > the

> > > > > difference of the means

> > > > > of the of the 2 groups studied.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > RESULTS

> > > > > Table I shows the individual values for natural killer cell

> > > > > activities

> > > > > prior to explantation and

> > > > > after explantation.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > There was a marked and significant increase in natural

> killer

> > > cell

> > > > > activity after explantation.

> > > > > Natural killer cell activity was 27.00Ò3.0 (S.E.) Prior to

> > > > > explantation

> > > > > and 36.89+- 3,7 (S.E.)

> > > > > after explantation. The average age of implants was 9.5

> years Ò

> > > > > 0.96. P

> > > > > value for the

> > > > > difference of the means between NK cell I and NK cell III

> was

> > > > > P<0.032.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > DISCUSSION

> > > > > Previous studies reported from our laboratory have shown a

> > > > > significant and

> > > > > marked

> > > > > reduction of natural killer cell activities in patients with

> > > > > silicone

> > > > > breast implants. (1) This

> > > > > reduction was attributed to direct effect by silicone

> through

> > > > > activation

> > > > > of cellular or

> > > > > humoral mechanisms secondary to an immune response to

> adjuvant

> > > > > effects of

> > > > > silicone.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > The following functions have been ascribed to natural killer

> > > cells:

> > > > > 1) control of tumor cell growth

> > > > > 2) involvement in the control of microbial infections,

> > > > > 3) immunoregulatory properties

> > > > > 4) involvement in the development of graft versus host

> disease,

> > > > > 5) contributes to the development of some forms of diabetes,

> and

> > > > > 6) involvement in various gastrointestinal diseases. (7)

> Natural

> > > > > killer

> > > > > cells mediate a

> > > > > non-major histocompatibility complex with restricted killing

> > > against

> > > > > target cells, which are

> > > > > termed " NK susceptible. " This lytic activity can be

> observed

> > > > > against a

> > > > > variety of neoplastic

> > > > > and viral-infected cells in non-major histocompatibility

> complex

> > > > > restricted function.

> > > > > Inhibition of natural killer cell activity has been

> described

> > > using

> > > > > prostaglandin A and E

> > > > > glucocorticoids and prolactin as well as luteinizing

> hormone.

> > > > > Exposure of

> > > > > murine or human

> > > > > natural killer cells to agents such as anti-asialo-GNfl or

> > > > > Prostaglandins

> > > > > induce dose-response

> > > > > suppression. Other cellular mechanisms have been described

> in

> > > > > association

> > > > > with suppression

> > > > > of natural killer cells, including suppressor cells, which

> play

> > > a

> > > > > physiological role in

> > > > > regulation of NK cell activity in vivo. Most recently,

> exposure

> > > to

> > > > > orgarfic solvents has been

> > > > > shown to cause suppression of NK cell activity and

> stimulation

> > > of

> > > > > several

> > > > > autoantibodies. (8)

> > > > > Our findings here show that the suppressed activity of the

> > > natural

> > > > > killer

> > > > > cells is reversed and

> > > > > improved markedly upon removal of the silicone implants,

> > > indicating

> > > > > that

> > > > > the direct or

> > > > > indirect effect of the silicone breast implants, which

> caused

> > > > > suppression

> > > > > of natural killer cell

> > > > > activities, has been eliminated by removal of the silicone,

> the

> > > > > causative

> > > > > agent. This was not

> > > > > correlated with the length of implantation which ranged

> anywhere

> > > > > from 0.6

> > > > > to 16 years

> > > > > with an average of 9.5 +- 0.96 years, nor was this

> correlated

> > > with

> > > > > the

> > > > > length of time period

> > > > > from the explantation.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Our studies here are in agreement with the studies reported

> > > recently

> > > > > by

> > > > > et al., (2)

> > > > > which reported in rats implanted with silicone gel a marked

> > > > > reduction, in

> > > > > natural killer cell

> > > > > activity, and reversal of this suppression immediately

> following

> > > > > removal

> > > > > of the implants.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Our studies here demonstrate clearly that symptomatic

> patients

> > > with

> > > > > silicone breast implants

> > > > > significantly are associated with a marked reduction of

> natural

> > > > > killer

> > > > > cell activity, and that

> > > > > this reduction is improved upon removal of the silicone

> breast

> > > > > implants.

> > > > > The issue of cancer

> > > > > development in patients with silicone breast implants has

> not

> > > been

> > > > > addressed at the

> > > > > molecular level, nor has it been addressed at the clinical

> > > level.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Recent studies (9) have shown carcinogenicity of silicone in

> > > > > experimental

> > > > > animals. Indeed,

> > > > > these studies were followed by an editorial calling for

> > > > > epidemiological

> > > > > studies in patients

> > > > > with silicone breast implants to further evaluate the

> incidence

> > > of

> > > > > hematological

> > > > > malignancy.(10) These investigators did not measure natural

> > > killer

> > > > > cell

> > > > > activities in these

> > > > > studies, however, based on our clinical studies here, and on

> the

> > > > > experimental studies by

> > > > > et al, (2) it is strongly suggested that one mechanism

> > > > > contributing to the

> > > > > carcinogenicity is the reduced activity or inhibition of

> natural

> > > > > killer

> > > > > cells. The actual

> > > > > mechanisms by which silicone inhibits NK cell activity is

> not

> > > clear.

> > > > > Additional studies at the

> > > > > molecular level are required to further understand the

> mechanism

> > > of

> > > > > suppression of NK cell

> > > > > activity by silicone.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Our studies described here indicate that silicone does

> inhibit

> > > the

> > > > > functions of natural killer

> > > > > cell activities and that this inhibition is reversible,

> however,

> > > may

> > > > > be

> > > > > associated with

> > > > > reduction of ability to control tumor cells, and in those

> > > patients

> > > > > who

> > > > > have chronic reduction

> > > > > of natural killer cell activity, may be associated with

> > > > > carcinogenicy. We

> > > > > propose clinical

> > > > > studies to find the incidence of cancers in patients with

> > > silicone

> > > > > breast

> > > > > implants.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > REFERENCES:

> > > > > 1. Vojdani A, A, Brautbar N Immune Functional

> > > Impairment in

> > > > > Patients with

> > > > > Clinical Abnormalities and Silicone Breast Implants.

> Toxicology

> > > and

> > > > > Industrial Health 1992;

> > > > > 8;415-429.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 2. SD, Gerber DC, Butterworth LF, McCay JA, White KL,

> > > Munson

> > > > > AE.

> > > > > Natural

> > > > > Killer Cell Activity is Suppressed Following Exposure to

> > > Silicone

> > > > > Gel.

> > > > > Society of

> > > > > Toxicology. Dallas, 03/1994.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 3. Kumagai Y, Shiokawa Y, Medsger TA, Jr., Rodnan GP.

> Clinical

> > > > > Spectrum of

> > > > > Connective

> > > > > Tissue Disease After Cosmetic Surgery. Arthritis and

> Rheumatism,

> > > > > 1984;2791:9-12,

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 4. Weiner SR, Clements PJ, us HH. Connective Tissue

> Disease

> > > > > After

> > > > > Augmentation

> > > > > mammoplasty. Arthritis and Rheumatism, 1989; 23:23-24.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 5. Kaiser W, Biesenbach G, Stubby U, Graffinger P, Zazgomik

> J.

> > > Human

> > > > > Adjuvant Disease:

> > > > > Remission of Silicone-Induced Disease After Explantation of

> > > Breast

> > > > > Augmentation.

> > > > > European Journal of Surgical Oncology 1990; 16:468-69.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 6. Bridges AJ, Connelly C, Wong G, Bums DE, Vassey FB. A

> > > Clinical

> > > > > and

> > > > > Immunological

> > > > > Evaluation of Women with Silicone Breast Implants and

> Symptoms

> > > of

> > > > > Rheumatic Disease.

> > > > > ls of Internal Medicine, 1993; 118:929-36.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 7. , C.E. McGee, J.O.D. Editors. The Natural Killer

> Cell.

> > > > > Department

> > > > > of Pathology

> > > > > and Bacteriology, University of Oxford, IRL Press, Oxford

> > > University

> > > > > Press, 1992- Page 7.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 8. VOJDANI A, Ghoneum M, Brautbar N. Immune Alteration

> > > Associated

> > > > > with

> > > > > no

> > > > > Exposure

> > > > > to Toxic Chemicals. Toxicology and Industrial Health. 1992;

> > > 8:231-

> > > > > 246.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 9. Potter, M., on, S., Weiner, F., Zhang, K.K.,

> ,

> > > F.W.,

> > > > > Journal of National

> > > > > Cancer Institute, 1986-) (14) July 7/20/94.

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > 10. Salmon; S.E., , RA.. Silicone gels, induction of

> plasma

> > > cell

> > > > > tumors, and genetic

> > > > > susceptibility in mice: A call for epidemiological

> investigation

> > > of

> > > > > women

> > > > > with silicone

> > > > > breast implants. Journal of National Cancer Institute. 86;

> 14,

> > > July

> > > > > 1994.

[Guest guest]

Aubrey,

It will take months, not just one bottle of Primal

Defense. In addition to being serious about your diet.

I highly recommend reading a book on Candida, like

" The Yeast Connection " ( there are many) ... And

Rubin's books . . . Patient Heal Yourself, Restoring

Your Digestive Health, and The Maker's Diet.

There are hundreds of negative fungal organisms that

can upset the balance of good flora vs. bad flora in

your body. Primal Defense, Acidopholis, and naturally

fermented foods are examples of things that can put

the good flora back in your body. Even then, it takes

time for these organisms to colonize.

Prescription meds like Diflucan and Nystatin are great

for kick-starting an anti-fungal program. However, it

takes time to reestablish a healthy digestive system.

Unfortunately, antibiotics kill off the good flora

with the bad and a suppressed immune system allows bad

flora to flourish. Eating sugar, refined grains and

junk food feed the fungal organisms.

You can do a self test (unscientific) by spitting in a

glass of water the first thing in the morning before

putting anything in your mouth. Let the glass sit for

about 15 minutes. If the water is clear, or maybe just

a little cloudy, you don't have a problem. If the

there is a milky blob floating, with tendrils hanging

down, if there are floating chunks, or if there is a

milky blob at the bottom, it indicates a fungal

problem. While this isn't scientific, I've found it

tracks very well with how closely I follow my diet and

take anti-fungals. Ask someone without implants, to do

the test . . . they usually are fine!

It takes time and discipline but the outcome is well

worth the effort.

Hugs,

Rogene

[Guest guest]

Molly,

The rash coming back as you take antifungals is likely

a " herx " effect, where symptoms may return, or get

temporarily worse. As bad as it feels at the time,

it's a signal that the detox is effective.

The trick is finding a balance so the herxes don't

become a deterrent to detoxing. Kathy has a very

difficult time with herxes . . .

Usually backing off a little will reduce the symptoms

to a managable level. Then step it up more gradually.

It takes time, time, time.

Have you considered using one of the clay baths? It's

one way of pulling toxins from the tissues.

IMHO, one reason we gain weight when we become toxic

is that our body is trying to find a way to store

toxins to keep them from our organs.

Hugs,

Rogene

[Guest guest]

Herxes? That's a new word to me!

Dr. Kolb recommended a clay bath - I need to look for them online.

I suspect I gained so much weight for a number of reasons - the toxicity,

endocronological

imbalance inc. untreated thyroid disease, stopping exercise as I went back to

school and

started feeling worse, and my penchant for ice cream. The latter can probably

not be

underestimated. <blush>

I am off sugar now....and it is not easy.

> Molly,

>

> The rash coming back as you take antifungals is likely

> a " herx " effect, where symptoms may return, or get

> temporarily worse. As bad as it feels at the time,

> it's a signal that the detox is effective.

>

> The trick is finding a balance so the herxes don't

> become a deterrent to detoxing. Kathy has a very

> difficult time with herxes . . .

>

> Usually backing off a little will reduce the symptoms

> to a managable level. Then step it up more gradually.

> It takes time, time, time.

>

> Have you considered using one of the clay baths? It's

> one way of pulling toxins from the tissues.

>

> IMHO, one reason we gain weight when we become toxic

> is that our body is trying to find a way to store

> toxins to keep them from our organs.

>

> Hugs,

>

> Rogene

[Guest guest]

You'll probably be well versed in them after you've been detoxing

awhile!

Sugar is very addictive. I know how hard it is to get off it. I

struggle with that too.

Patty

--- In , " MollyBloom54 " <jawlaw93@y...>

wrote:

> Herxes? That's a new word to me!

> Dr. Kolb recommended a clay bath - I need to look for them online.

>

> I suspect I gained so much weight for a number of reasons - the

toxicity, endocronological

> imbalance inc. untreated thyroid disease, stopping exercise as I

went back to school and

> started feeling worse, and my penchant for ice cream. The latter

can probably not be

> underestimated. <blush>

>

> I am off sugar now....and it is not easy.