Benzene-associated immunosuppression and chronic inflammation in humans: a systematic review

2020 ◽  
pp. oemed-2020-106517
Author(s):  
Helen Guo ◽  
Stacy Ahn ◽  
Luoping Zhang

ObjectiveRecent evidence has accumulated that the immune system is intimately intertwined with cancer development. Two key characteristics of carcinogens in which the immune system plays a central role are chronic inflammation and immunosuppression. In this systematic review, we investigated the association of chronic inflammatory and immunosuppressive outcomes with benzene, a widely used industrial chemical. Benzene has been confirmed to cause acute myeloid leukaemia and suspected to cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma, two cancers of the blood-forming system that affect immune cells.MethodsWe systematically searched PubMed and Embase for all relevant studies using a combination of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and selected key words. The detailed review protocol, including search strategy, was registered with PROSPERO, the international prospective register of systematic reviews (#CRD42019138611).ResultsBased on all human studies selected in the final review, we report new evidence of a benzene-induced immunosuppressive effect on the adaptive immune system and activation of the innate immune system to cause inflammation. In particular, benzene significantly lowers the number of white blood cells, particularly lymphocytes such as CD4+ T-cells, B-cells and natural killer cells, and increases proinflammatory biomarkers at low levels of exposure.ConclusionTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive review of benzene’s immunotoxicity in humans. Based on results obtained from this review, we propose two potential immunotoxic mechanisms of how benzene induces leukaemia/lymphoma: (1) cancer invasion caused by proinflammatory cytokine production, and (2) cancer promotion via impaired immunosurveillance. Further studies will be required to confirm the connection between benzene exposure and its effects on the immune system.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Ncube ◽  
Saloshni Naidoo ◽  
Takafira Mdul

Abstract Background: Tuberculosis remains one of the world’s deadliest communicable diseases despite being preventable and curable. The use of mobile phones has increased worldwide over the past decade and this has created opportunities to use mobile phones as intervention tools in health care including in promoting prevention, treatment and adherence monitoring and evaluation. However, the potential of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to fight TB remains largely untapped. Many countries are still researching further on how to use eHealth and mHealth effectively in the fight against TB. This systematic review protocol seeks to explore the mobile based applications that are being used in TB care globally and will provide crucial information to inform programming for the national TB programme, bringing the focus on interventions that really influence improving TB outcomes.Methods: A systematic review will be conducted through online searches using comprehensive Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms in various combinations. Information sources will include the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Medline, Google Scholar and PubMed. The review will be done by 2 reviewers who will resolve discrepancies through consensus. Narrative data synthesis will be done.Discussion: Analysis of the selected studies will provide information on the use of the mobile applications in TB care globally. Conclusions will be based on the best available scientific evidence. The results will provide crucial information to inform programming for the national TB programme, bringing the focus on interventions that really influence improving TB outcomes. This will result in the effective use of resources by channelling them where there is the greatest impact in terms of reducing morbidity and mortality due to TB in Zimbabwe. Systematic review protocol registration: PROSPERO CRD42020154793


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca M. Bryant ◽  
Ellen Eaton ◽  
Li Li

The objective of this systematic review is to examine the relationship between opioid use disorder (OUD) and its related biomarkers, as well as the effects of pharmacotherapy for OUD on biomarkers. The eligibility criteria are the inclusion of human population studies focusing on biomarkers, including the immune system, related to OUD or opioid-related disorders. English, peer reviewed, original research, case studies or case series, and clinical trials were included in this review. Papers were excluded if they met one or more of the following criteria: animal studies, review articles, studies focusing only on OUD or opioid-related disorders without mention of potential biomarkers, studies focusing only on biomarkers and/or the immune system without relating to OUD or opioid-related disorders, and studies that focused on other substance use disorders other than OUD specifically. A PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane databases search on August 25, 2020, yielded 101 results; only 14 articles met inclusion criteria that were included in this review. However, heterogeneity of study definitions and measurements should be noted. Various potential biomarkers indicated systemic, peripheral, and chronic inflammation in patients with OUD or opioid-related disorders. Medications, including buprenorphine and methadone, significantly decreased chronic inflammation in this population. Our results suggest that patients with OUD or opioid-related disorders have potential biomarkers that can be targeted to provide optimal treatment options for this population. A better understanding of potential biomarkers may assist to identify at-risk populations, monitor disease progression and treatment response, and develop therapeutic strategies for OUD.Systematic Review Registration: This review has been registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020202014).


2008 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
L Barrett ◽  
M Grant ◽  
R Liwski ◽  
K West

Background: The human immune system provides remarkable protection from a plethora of pathogens, but can cause damage when activated for a prolonged time (as inpersistent infections) or against self (autoimmunity). Therefore, mechanisms of immune system downregulation and control are imperative. There is little data on how the immune system is controlled in healthy individuals. We recently described a novel population of white blood cells that constitutively produce the immunomodulatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Our objective was to further delineate the distribution of these cells in human and mouse models, as well as potential triggers for interleukin-10 production in vitro. Methods: Human and animal protocols were reviewed and approved by the institutional ethics board and animal care facilities, and informed consent was obtained from all human donors. The ex vivo percentage of peripheral blood CD36^+IL-10^+ mononuclear cells was assessed by intracellular flow cytometry in 10 healthy individuals. IL-10 production after exposure to twoCD36 ligands, thrombospondin and oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) was measured at 8 hours. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and splenocytes from BL/6 (n=5) and Balb/c (n=1) micewere assessed for CD36^+IL-10^+ cells ex vivo as well. Results: The percentage of CD36^+IL-10^+ cells in peripheral blood fromhealthy individuals ranges between 0.1% and 0.9%. The percentage was similar in mouse peripheral blood, with a range of 0.4%-1.1%. These cells were also found in mouse spleen at a higher frequency than peripherally (1.1-1.5%). Human CD36^+IL-10^+ cells have more IL-10 when exposed to thrombospondin, oxLDL. Conclusions: Our novel population of IL-10 producing cells is found not only in healthy humans, but also in lymphoid tissue and blood from pathogen free mice. This highlights the evolutionary conservation of the cell across species, and suggests an important homeostatic function. The physiologic ligands for CD36 are ubiquitous in circulation, and ourin vitro data suggests a link between CD36 ligation and IL-10 production. IL-10 is a known immune system modulator, and its production by these cells may help maintain homeostaticcontrol of the immune system.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Carruthers ◽  
Gemma Brunetti ◽  
Susan Rossell

Schizophrenia spectrum disorders are chronic and debilitating mental illnesses characterised by both cognitive impairments and sleep deficits. In this systematic review protocol, we outline an approach to examine the available literature investigating the relationship between sleep and cognition in individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorder.


2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (suppl 1) ◽  
pp. bjgp18X697085
Author(s):  
Trudy Bekkering ◽  
Bert Aertgeerts ◽  
Ton Kuijpers ◽  
Mieke Vermandere ◽  
Jako Burgers ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe WikiRecs evidence summaries and recommendations for clinical practice are developed using trustworthy methods. The process is triggered by studies that may potentially change practice, aiming at implementing new evidence into practice fast.AimTo share our first experiences developing WikiRecs for primary care and to reflect on the possibilities and pitfalls of this method.MethodIn March 2017, we started developing WikiRecs for primary health care to speed up the process of making potentially practice-changing evidence in clinical practice. Based on a well-structured question a systematic review team summarises the evidence using the GRADE approach. Subsequently, an international panel of primary care physicians, methodological experts and patients formulates recommendations for clinical practice. The patient representatives are involved as full guideline panel members. The final recommendations and supporting evidence are disseminated using various platforms, including MAGICapp and scientific journals.ResultsWe are developing WikiRecs on two topics: alpha-blockers for urinary stones and supervised exercise therapy for intermittent claudication. We did not face major problems but will reflect on issues we had to solve so far. We anticipate having the first WikiRecs for primary care available at the end of 2017.ConclusionThe WikiRecs process is a promising method — that is still evolving — to rapidly synthesise and bring new evidence into primary care practice, while adhering to high quality standards.


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