A Potential Therapy for Accidental Wheat Gluten Ingestion

June 6, 2012 2 Comments

Wheat Gluten Allergy:  Treatment with Anti-Histamines and Aspirin Case Study:

A female in her late forties on a gluten free diet for the past decade, enjoyed wheat pizza, and ingested one piece every 1-2 weeks.  To prevent inflammation of her tonsils, she followed each ingestion with  25mg Benadryl (diphenyhydramine hydrochloride) antihistamine immediately and every 4-6 hours for the next 48 hours.  During the past year,  the subject ingested wheat on Day One with antihistamine therapy immediately following and every 4-6 hours for the next 48 hours.  On Day Three she again ingested wheat and continued with antihistamines.  On Day Five, she presented with an infection in her ears, sinuses, throat, and chest.  One week later, the infection had not resolved.   The subject was placed on amoxicillin antibiotic for 10 days.  The infection cleared, however, a bronchial cough with fatigue continued for the next few weeks.  She was then placed on a 10 day azithromycin prescription.  The cough and fatigue persisted.

It was suspected that gliadin peptide-antibody-collagen complexes formed in her bronchi.  The subject was taking no other medications including no anti-coagulant medication that would thin her blood. The subject was placed on aspirin (salicylic acid) therapy.  Aspirin (975mg) was given the first evening, followed by  aspirin (650mg) every 6 hours on the first full day, and aspirin(650mg) every 8 hours on subsequent days.   By the second day, most of the cough symptoms had resolved.  Therapy continued for a total of seven days during which time the cough resolved completely.  The subject now avoids all wheat, oats, and rye.  Should accidental ingestion occur, she uses antihistamines and aspirin as needed to block inflammation and gliadin peptide-antibody-collagen complex formation.

Antihistamines Discussion

On a wheat gluten free diet, subjects will unexpectedly or intentionally encounter the ubiquitous wheat.  The immune response to the gliadin peptide,after abstention,can be significantly more pronounced. “Y” shaped IgE antibodies that have been secreted in response to previous exposures are now attached by their Fc base to the Fc receptor of mast cells and basophils.

In the oral cavity, wheat may irritate the tonsils or sinuses.  As wheat enters the gastrointestinal tract, it is digested into gliadin peptide fragments which enter the blood stream.  As the finger like tips of the antibodies (attached to the Fc receptors of mast cells and basophils) recognize and attach the gliadin peptide, the mast cells and basophils release histamine.  Histamine binds H1 receptors on blood vessel walls causing migration of immune cells into tissue (Reiner PB, et.al. 1994). This immune response consisting of B cells, T cells, macrophages, basophils initiates inflammation. Inflammation is generally cleared by the lymph system. While it may be difficult to visualize internal inflammation, external signs/symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, runny nose, swollen tonsils, watery eyes, and clogged sinuses may be noticeable.

An immune response happens rapidly.  The more time the body is given to generate inflammation, typically the greater the response.  An antihistamine such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine hydrochloride) blocks the histamine H1 receptor and the migration of immune cells into tissue, diminishing the response (Yamashiro K, et.al. 2001).

Aspirin Discussion:

While an antihistamine may suppress inflammation,  a second problem with wheat ingestion is the gliadin peptide circulating in blood vessels available for  attachment to collagen fibers.

The gliadin peptide is a component of the wheat plant’s defense system.  The wheat plant has two coded regions called wheat germ agglutinin lectins. These lectins, which are more prevalent in the stem and spike of wheat, enable the plant to fend off disease (Xiang Y, et.al. 2011). Once inside the body, wheat defense lectins can attack human tissues.  Wheat germ agglutinin is commonly used in research to identify penetrance because it attaches to many human cell types. Potatoes have two defense lectins (Allen AK, et.al. 1996) while rice and sweet potatoes each have one (Xiang Y, et.al. 2011).  Thus, a diet of rice or sweet potatoes is more compatible to the human immune system.

Wheat plant lectins have a complex three dimensional structure which is stabilized by disulfide bonds (Nizheradze KA, 2000).  These bonds attach carbohydrate surface structures on collagen fibers which are found in joints, cartilage, organs, tissues, and ducts. The strength and flexibility of collagen, for example, provides for fluid movement in a joint, the lattice support structure in pulmonary tissue, and the passage of nutrients in a liver duct.  The binding of lectins on collagen changes the alignment, density, and uniformity of the fiber network (Nizheradze KA, 2000).

Imagine thin collagen fibers, like a cotton ball, stretched out as a wispy cloud. Collagen function is altered when small amounts of lectin are glued throughout. Collagen plus lectin “glue” causes rheumatoid arthritis in a joint, asthma in lung tissue, and primary biliary cirrhosis in the liver.  Perhaps, instead of these conditions being “disease”, they are analogous to grease in the plumbing.

To eliminate this wheat lectin from the body, we look to the manufacturing industry, where wheat gluten is used to produce biodegradable plastics.  To lengthen the temperature window for the hardening of these plastic products, aspirin (salicyclic acid) can be utilized. Salicylic acid reduces the viscosity of wheat gluten by delaying the formation of the disulfide bonds such that the aggregation and cross-linking rate of the hardening plastic is slower (Ullstein H, et.al. 2011).  It has also been found that on collagen fibers in human cell culture, the binding of wheat germ agglutinin is significantly decreased by chemicals such as salicylic acid (Nizheraze KA, 2000).

The scientific investigate community is cognizant of aspirin’s anti-platelet aggregation properties, however, these scientists may not have realized that it also weakens wheat gluten-antigen-collagen bonds.  Given aspirin’s widespread use, this recent finding has been inadvertently discovered. Dr. James Watson (Watson and Crick, Nobel Prize 1964, DNA double helix) on Reach MD,  tells us to return to biochemistry to thwart disease.  Indeed, the discovery of this interconnection provides a practical basis to confirm the accuracy of man’s research.

References:

Allen AK, Bolwell GP, Brown DS, Sidebottom C, Slabas AR, “Potato lectin: a three-domain glycoprotein with novel hydroxyproline-containing sequences and sequence similarities to wheat-germ agglutinin”.  Int J Biochem Cell Biol. 1996 Nov;28(11):1285-91

Di Domenico F, Owen JB, Sultana R, Sowell RA, Perluigi M, Cini C, Cai J, Pierce WM, Butterfield DA,  “The wheat germ agglutinin-fractionated proteome of subjects with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment hippocampus and inferior parietal lobule: Implications for disease pathogenesis and progression”.  J Neurosci Res. 2010 Dec;88(16):3566-77. doi: 10.1002/jnr.22528. Epub 2010 Oct 8.

Nizheradze KA, “Binding of wheat germ agglutinin to extracellular network produced by cultured human fibroblasts”. Folia Histochem Cytobiol. 2000;38(4):167-73  PMID 11185721

Reiner PB, Kamondi A, “Mechanisms of antihistamine-induced sedation in the human brain: H1 receptor activation reduces a background leakage potassium current”. Neuroscience 59 (3): 579–88. DOI:10.1016/0306-4522(94)90178-3. PMID 8008209, April 2004

Ullsten HN, Sung-Woo C, Spencer G, Gallstedt M, Johansson E, Hedenqvist M, “Properties of Extruded Vital Wheat Gluten Sheets with Sodium Hydroxide and Salicyclic Acid”.  Biomacromolecules 2009, 10, 479-488

Xiang Y, Song M, Wei Z, Tong J, Zhang L, Xiao L, Ma Z, Wang Y, “A jacalin-related lectin-like gene in wheat is a component of the plant defense system”. J Exp Bot. 2011 Nov;62(15):5471-83. Epub 2011 Aug 23

Yamashiro, K; Kiryu, J; Tsujikawa, A; Nonaka, A; Honjo, M; Tanihara, H; Nishiwaki, H; Honda, Y et al. (2001). “Suppressive effects of histamine H1 receptor antagonist diphenhydramine on the leukocyte infiltration during endotoxin-induced uveitis”. Experimental eye research 73 (1): 69–80. DOI:10.1006/exer.2001.1008. PMID 11428864.

Copyright © 2012.  All Rights Reserved.

July 10, 2012

Disclaimer:  The ERB is a literature research team presenting the findings of other researchers. The ERB is not licensed medical nor dietary clinicians and will not give medical nor dietary advice.   Any information presented on this website should not be substituted for the advice of a licensed physician or nutritionist.  Users of this website accept the sole responsibility to conduct their own due diligence on topics presented and to consult licensed medical professionals to review their material.  We make no warranties or representations on the information presented and should users utilize this research without consulting a professional, they assume all responsibility for their actions and the consequences.

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Keep the Tonsils, Pull the Strep Throat!

April 23, 2012 2 Comments

Tonsillitis Gluten Allergy Case Study  of a three year-old boy:  As an infant this subject had experienced recurrent ear infections and was prophylactically placed on low dose amoxicillin.  As a two and three year old, this subject would present with tonsillitis bi-monthly.  His submandibular lymph nodes were swollen bilaterally, palantine tonsils were bright red with a whitish exudate, there was difficulty swallowing, malaise, and no fever.  All tonsil infections presented with similar signs/symptoms,  some tested positive for Group A Streptococcus. Amoxicillin was no longer effective. To alleviate recurrent infections, subject was treated with various antibiotics.   Tonsillectomy was discussed.  This patient began a wheat gluten free diet (WGFD). After initiating a wheat gluten free diet, this subject was tonsillitis free …unless he ingested wheat.  Most ingestion was immediately treated with antihistamines every 4-6 hours for the next 24 hours or until sore throat resolved.  Untreated ingestion resulted in tonsillitis and required a 5 day course of azithromax to resolve symptoms. This patient continued on a wheat gluten free diet.  

Tonsillitis Discussion: We often hear about the circulatory system with the heart at its center supplying blood with nutrients to cells.  As the cells burn this food and oxygen, they create waste products which they either dissolve or excrete through their cell walls. It’s the function of the lymphatic system to provide small vessels to remove these waste products and filter them through lymph nodes ultimately returning this fluid to the heart.  This is why when a surgeon checks for cancer, he checks the affected tissue but also the lymph nodes draining that tissue.

Lymph vessels and tissue are present throughout the body.  Because food is ingested through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and can be a major source of foreign bacteria, etc. the GI tract contains a major portion of the lymphatic tissue.  As food is brought into the mouth, the lymph tissue of the tonsils and adenoids are immediately present to defend the body against pathogens.  These tonsilar lymph tissues filter the harmful bacteria and viruses to keep them from entering the body and carry away the waste filtrate that is produced. Thus, the high level of importance for fluid in our bodies. Within the lymph system are immune system cells called lymphocytes.  These cells travel in the lymph filtrate and are present in tonsil tissue. When pathogens present in food or from the fingers, these lymphocytes respond.  They call other immune cells to the location, burn fuel and secrete waste products, which generates dead cells and inflammation within the tonsil tissue.  The tonsil becomes inflamed, red, swollen, and painful.  Fluids bring relief to the tonsil tissue as they aid in washing away some of the congested filtrate.

When wheat gluten presents to the tonsil tissue it is recognized by the immune system as a pathogen and is attacked by lymphocytes which generate an immune response, inflaming the tonsil tissue. For years, now we have “solved” the tonsillitis symptom by surgically removing the tonsils.  Unfortunately, we have also removed important tissues that are an important line of defense to kill pathogens before they enter the GI tract.  Removing the tonsilar policemen at the gate is merely passing the immune system defense job of the tonsils further down the GI tract,  placing additional stress on the esophagus, stomach, and small/large intestine, and colon lymph tissue.

An important microbiology concept that is helpful to understand is that good and bad bacteria are most always present on our bodies,  as good and bad people are always present within a population.  The balance of good to bad is critical. Our police and parole departments keep crime in check under normal circumstances, but when 50,000 prisoners are released, they are overwhelmed.  The same is true for probiotics and good bacteria keeping disease under control. Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria are most always present as normal flora on the body, but they are under control.  When wheat gluten causes an overwhelming immune response with immune complex formation and inflammation,  S. pneumoniae may be more likely to cause disease.

Copyright © 2012.  All rights reserved.

Photograph: Beautiful horses, Caymus, Utah

Disclaimer:  The ERB is a literature research team presenting the findings of other researchers. The ERB is not licensed medical nor dietary clinicians and will not give medical nor dietary advice.   Any information presented on this website should not be substituted for the advice of a licensed physician or nutritionist.  Users of this website accept the sole responsibility to conduct their own due diligence on topics presented and to consult licensed medical professionals to review their material.  We make no warranties or representations on the information presented and should users utilize this research without consulting a professional, they assume all responsibility for their actions and the consequences.

Filed under Case Studies:, Strep Throat Tagged with , , , , ,