Neuroimmune Interactions, Low-Dose Sarin Inhalation, and Gulf War Syndrome
Abstract
After the Gulf War, many returning soldiers developed an unexplained set of symptoms termed the Gulf War Syndrome (GWS). The symptoms included neurological and respiratory problems. Many veterans were exposed repeatedly to organophosphates/carbamates, including pyridostigmine bromide (neostigmine bromide), organophosphate pesticides, and low-doses of nerve gas that inhibit acetylcholine esterase activity causing a surge in acetylcholine levels and possibly a cholinergic shock. Chronic lowdose exposure to cholinergic agents, such as the nerve gas sarin increases the brain levels of proinflammatory cytokines, particularly IL-11 , and high levels of IL-1 may induce GWS-like symptoms. Over the past two years, we have shown that cholinergic agents affect neuroimmune communication and mucus formation in the lung. Briefly: (a) cholinergic agents increase IL- in the brain and chronic braiexposure to low-doses of IL-1 activates tyrosine kinase activities in the spleen and suppresses the immune system. This is a novel neuroimmune communication pathway (Razani-Boroujerdi et al., 2011, PMID: 21671006; Appendix 1). (b) Cholinergic (nicotinic acetylcholine) receptors control mucus formation in the lung (Gundavarapu et al., 2012, PMID: 22578901; Appendix 2) and in the gut (Gundavarapu et al., very preliminary results). Moreover, cholinergic (nicotinic) receptors also control lung development during embryogenesis (Singh et al., 2012 submitted; Appendix 3). Overall these studies show that cholinergic receptors, particularly nicotinic receptors, play a critical role in health and disease, and chronic exposures to cholinergic agents during the Gulf War could have affected thealth status of veterans.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA570985
Entities
People
- Mohan Sopori
Organizations
- Lovelace Foundation