Interactions Among Infections, Nutrients and Xenobiotics

Abstract

During recent years there have been several incidents in which symptoms of disease have been linked to consumption of food contaminated by chemical substances (e.g., 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, TCDD). Furthermore, outbreaks of infections in food-producing animals have attracted major attention regarding the safety of consumers, e.g., Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis (BSE) and influenza in chicken. As shown for several xenobiotics in an increasing number of experimental studies, even low-dose xenobiotic exposure may impair immune function over time, as well as microorganism virulence, resulting in more severe infectious diseases and associated complications. Moreover, during ongoing infection, xenobiotic uptake and distribution are often changed resulting in increased toxic insult to the host. The interactions among infectious agents, nutrients, and xenobiotics have thus become a developing concern and new avenue of research in food toxicology as well as in food-borne diseases. From a health perspective, in the risk assessment of xenobiotics in our food and environment, synergistic effects among microorganisms, nutrients, and xenobiotics will have to be considered. Otherwise, such effects may gradually change the disease panorama in society.

Chlamydophila pneumoniae changes iron homeostasis in infected tissues

“…Thus, the presence of metabolically active and viable bacteria in the liver was associated with the induction of hepcidin, with increased DMT1 expression as well as Fe accumulation in the liver. In all infections, an extensive adjustment in host metabolism occurs with the aim to penalise and to destroy the invading microorganisms, repair damaged tissue, and restore tissue function to normal conditions (Ilba¨ck and Friman, 2007). These infection-induced changes in host metabolism are accompanied by an often extensive and simultaneous flow of trace elements between blood and tissues (Ilba¨ck et al, 2004).…”

“…Essential trace elements are micronutrients crucial for host defence (Pekarek and Engelhardt, 1981;Beisel, 2004;Ilba¨ck and Friman, 2007), including the development of inflammation (Milanino et al, 1993;NystromRosander et al, 2003). The normal host response to infection (the acute-phase response) includes increased synthesis of metal-binding proteins and a concomitant flux of trace elements between blood and tissues (Beisel, 2004).…”

“…The normal host response to infection (the acute-phase response) includes increased synthesis of metal-binding proteins and a concomitant flux of trace elements between blood and tissues (Beisel, 2004). Consistent responses in trace elements in generalised infections are a decrease in plasma levels of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) and an increase in copper (Cu) (Beisel, 2004;Ilba¨ck and Friman, 2007). Proteins implicated in the homeostasis of essential metals, including acute-phase proteins, serve as carriers for essential trace elements, such as Fe-binding ferritin (Beisel, 2004), divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) (Vyoral and Petrak, 2005), and the Cu-binding ceruloplasmin (Little and Canonico, 1981).…”

Thoracic aortic aneurysm patients with Chlamydophila pneumoniae infection showed a shift in trace element levels in serum and diseased aortic tissue

“…Thus, the Cu/Zn molar ratio, which is a well-known serum marker of infectious and inflammatory conditions, increased from 1.170.2 in the control group to 1.470.3 in the patient group (po0.001) [29]. Moreover, the serum level of Fe in patients was 54% higher (po0.001), whereas that of Ca was 8% lower (po0.001).…”

Immunotoxicology: challenges in the 21st century and in vitro opportunities

“…We often forget that the human body carries Not only sterile inflammation appears to play a role in the toxic effects of chemicals. Only slowly, the interplay of toxic damage and infection is beginning to be addressed (Ilbäck and Friman, 2007;Feingold et al, 2010). Taken together, the inflammatory component of various toxicities is underappreciated.…”