How the brain's immune system worsens epilepsy (SOD1 helps)

Medical Xpress / University of Iowa / Cell Reports ^ | Feb. 14, 2023 | Richard C. Lewis / Krishna M. Nukala et al

[ConservativeMind]

Biologists have definitively linked the brain's immune system to epilepsy.

The researchers lay out a chain of events that can cause seizures—the most common manifestation of epilepsy—to worsen. The sequence begins when oxidative stress in the body causes the brain's immune system to react. That activation by the brain's resident immune cells (called glia) triggers more severe seizures.

It’s the first time the brain immune system–epilepsy link has been experimentally proved.

"We have provided genetic proof that both oxidative stress and activation of the brain immune system make epilepsy worse," says John Manak, professor. "This is hugely significant because our data suggest that we can now repurpose exceedingly well-tolerated anti-inflammatory compounds as well as perhaps antioxidants to help control epilepsy progression."

…In another set of experiments with flies, the researchers tested the oxidative stress link by expressing the brain's SOD1 gene, which is known to cleanse cells of reactive oxygen species caused by oxidative stress. When this gene was activated in the fruit fly brains, the flies' innate immune system response was lowered, and seizures were reduced.

"In one fell swoop, we have identified a pathway starting at increased oxidative stress leading to activation of the innate immune system, which leads to neuronal cell death, which, in turn, causes exacerbation of seizures," says Manak, who calls the study one of the highlights of his almost 40-year career as a biologist. "And when I say exacerbation of seizures, I mean progressive epilepsy, which are epilepsies that get worse over time."

Until now, doctors had only limited evidence that a small number of anti-inflammatory or antioxidant medications had seizure-suppressive characteristics in some contexts, but no direct proof connecting oxidative stress and innate immune system activation with epilepsy. Moreover, approximately one-third of epilepsy patients do not respond well to currently available therapies.

[ConservativeMind]

SOD1 is a copper-zinc form of a fundamental antioxidant, called superoxide dismutase, which we make plenty of when we are young, but make less of as we age.

A study I posted a little while ago showed we can boost overall superoxide dismutase (SOD1, SOD2, and SOD3) by taking in as little as 500 mg of taurine powder, three times a day, which increased the three SODs we make by over 20%.

I’ll post that link, next.

[ConservativeMind]

The SOD study:

Study shows that the amino acid taurine could be used in anti-aging therapy

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4080060/posts

Do note that normal amounts of zinc, copper, and manganese are needed for our bodies to produce all three forms.

[ConservativeMind]

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[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

C.M. Thanks!

Life Extension sell something called Endothelial Defense that contains SOD along with pomegranate extract.
(Presumably lots of oxalate along with your antioxidents.)