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Showing posts from April, 2017

Why does alcohol consumption (drinking) induce hunger?

(edheee shpjegimi logjik pse sherbehet mezja me pije alkoolike... The body maintains an adequate level of glucose in the blood using various mechanisms, one of which is gluconeogenesis in the liver.  Gluconeogenesis is particularly significant at hours distant to meals when glucose released to the bloodstream from the liver is more prominent than dietary intake. Biochemically, pyruvate and oxaloacetate at the initials steps of the gluconeogenesis pathway are shunted away due to increased levels of NADH that occur as a result of alcohol comsumption, so these molecules cannot be utilized to form new molecules of glucose. On the other hand, glycolysis, which uses the available glucose for production of energy and several other purposes, is also prevented by the same high levels of NADH. Alcohol consumed, namely ethanol is metabolised by the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase.  This enzyme uses NAD as a cofactor to oxidise ethanol and produce acetaldehyde while NAD is reduced to NADH.

Inflammation, NSAIDs, Painkillers, Immunity system

Inflammation  is t he reaction of a part of the body to injury or infection, characterized by swelling, heat, redness, and pain. The process includes increased blood flow with an influx of white blood cells and other chemical substances that facilitate healing. Cyclooxygenase  (COX), officially known as prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase (PTGS), is an enzyme (specifically, a family of isozymes, EC 1.14.99.1) that is responsible for formation of prostanoids, including thromboxane and prostaglandins such as prostacyclin. The  prostaglandins  (PG) are a group of physiologically active lipid compounds having diverse hormone-like effects in animals. Q: Why does your body temperature rise when you have the flu? A : " Your body temperature rises when you have the flu as a way of fighting off the influenza virus; viruses thrive best at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit—normal body temperature. When your body is hotter it's harder for the flu virus to survive. A fever als

General Term Definitions

DNA , short for  deoxyribonucleic acid , is the molecule that contains the genetic code of organisms DNA is in each cell in the organism and tells cells what proteins to make. Mostly, these proteins are enzymes. DNA is inherited by children from their parents. This is why children share traits with their parents, such as skin, hair and eye color. The DNA in a person is a combination of the DNA from each of their parents. Genes  are forms of DNA. DNA is a collection of chemical information that carries the instructions for making all the proteins a cell will ever need.  Genetics  is a discipline of biology.This includes the study of genes, and the inheritance of variation and traits of living organisms. Carbohydrates :   any of a large group of organic compounds occurring in foods and living tissues and including sugars, starch, and cellulose. They contain hydrogen and oxygen in the same ratio as water (2:1) and typically can be broken down to release energy in the anim

Ibuprofen and other widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs inhibit antibody production in human cells

Abstract The widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) function mainly through inhibition of cyclooxygenases 1 and 2 (Cox-1 and Cox-2). Unlike Cox-1, Cox-2 is considered an inducible and pro-inflammatory enzyme. We previously reported that Cox-2 is upregulated in activated human B lymphocytes and using Cox-2 selective inhibitors that Cox-2 is required for optimal antibody synthesis. It is not known whether commonly used non-prescription and non-Cox-2 selective drugs also influence antibody synthesis. Herein, we tested a variety of Cox-1/Cox-2 non-selective NSAIDs, namely ibuprofen, tylenol, aspirin and naproxen and report that they blunt IgM and IgG synthesis in stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Ibuprofen had its most profound effects in inhibiting human PBMCs and purified B lymphocyte IgM and IgG synthesis when administered in the first few days after activation. As shown by viability assays, ibuprofen did not kill B cells. The implication

Is Ibuprofen/Advil Bad for My Liver and Kidneys?

You should wonder if a medication you often take for pain is safe. There are some misconceptions about NSAIDS (ibuprofen, naproxen, Motrin, Advil) and some truths. How much can or should you take and is it bad for your liver or kidneys? Every week I’m asked this question. How much? For the treatment of mild to moderate pain, minor fever, and acute or chronic inflammatory conditions 200 mg to 400 mg of ibuprofen will work, and is comparable to 650 mg of acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin. Generally taken every 6 to 8 hours, the maximum dose of NSAIDs per day is 2400 mg which is 12 over-the-counter tablets. Liver-safe: Ibuprofen and other NSAIDS rarely affect the liver. Unlike acetaminophen (Tylenol) most NSAIDs are absorbed completely and have negligible first-pass hepatic (liver) metabolism. In other words, the way NSAIDS are metabolized makes liver toxicity (hepatotoxicity) very rare. Estimates are that 1 in 100,000 NSAID prescriptions result in acute liver injury. Generally

How does cerebral hypoxia cause euphoria?

The mechanism by which the conscious feeling of euphoria is felt is still unknown. Due to the multiple methods by which euphoria can occur it is likely a 'natural' state of the brain that can be triggered either naturally or unnaturally. It is also likely that it occurs in the same brain regions responsible for mood. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reward_system You'll note that many of the structures connected to the reward system are glutamatergic interneurons. This means that excess glutamate can trigger the reward system to produce euphoric feelings. In cerebral hypoxia the lack of oxygen results in a lack of energy for the cell. Mainly this results in the switching off of the sodium / potassium pump. A nerve cell fires by moving sodium outside the cell and potassium inside the cell to create concentration gradients, that are then reversed during an action potential. If the pump does not have oxygen then this mechanism stops. This results in an increase in e

Top 49 Ways to Increase Myelin Naturally and Boost Intelligence

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Myelin is an important part of the nervous system and is vital for optimal cognitive function. Read more below to learn how to increase myelin in your body. Introduction Myelin is a sheath made out of fats and proteins that wraps around the axon (end) of a nerve cell. It helps the nervous system function properly ( R ,  R ). It improves the conduction of action potentials, which are needed to send information down the axon to other neurons ( R ). The myelin sheath increases the speed of impulses in neurons. It facilitates conduction in nerves while saving space and energy ( R ). Demyelination happens when the nerves lose the myelin sheath that insulates them. This can cause many neurodegenerative diseases or nerve and brain damage. Defective myelin sheaths can also cause nerve disorders ( R ). It’s thought that inflammatory cytokines reduce myelination ( R ). Myelin Increases Intelligence Since myelin transmits neuronal signals, Myelin plays a critical role in det