eMedicine - Hepatic Cysts

Article by Heidi Holman Jackson, MD: "Adult polycystic liver disease (AD-PCLD) is congenital and is usually associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (AD-PKD). Mutations in these patients have been identified in PKD1 and PKD2 genes. Occasionally, PCLD has been reported in the absence of polycystic kidney disease. In these patients a third gene, protein kinase C substrate 80K-H (PRKCSH), has been identified. Despite these differences in genotype, patients with PCLD are similar phenotypically.

In patients with polycystic kidney disease, the kidney cysts usually precede the liver cysts. PKD often results in renal failure, whereas liver cysts only rarely are associated with hepatic fibrosis and liver failure."

Elsewhere in this article about liver cysts:

"Hydatid cysts

Hydatid cysts are caused by infestation with the parasite Echinococcus granulosus. This parasite is found worldwide, but it is particularly common in areas of sheep and cattle farming. The adult tapeworm lives in the digestive tract of carnivores, such as dogs or wolves. Eggs are released into the stool and are inadvertently ingested by the intermediate hosts, such as sheep, cattle, or humans. The egg larvae invade the bowel wall and mesenteric vessels of the intermediate host, allowing circulation to the liver. In the liver, the larvae grow and become encysted. The hydatid cyst develops an outer layer of inflammatory tissue and an inner germinal membrane that produces daughter cysts. When carnivores ingest the liver of the intermediate host, the scolices of the daughter cysts are released in the small intestines and grow into adult worms, thus completing the life cycle of the worm."

Polycystic disease of the kidneys complicating the diagnosis of myocardial echinococcosis

Entrez PubMed: "The case of a 30-year-old woman with polycystic disease of the kidneys and a large cyst in the interventricular septum is presented. The hypothesis of an echinococcal disease or of a cardiac manifestation of a polycystic disease was raised. The patient's history, serologic data, and the morphological aspect of the cyst did not give evidence for echinococcal disease before surgery. However, the postoperative pathological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis of a single echinococcal cyst. The presented case shows that even in cases without proven diagnosis of echinococcal disease and preexisting hereditary cysts in other organ systems, care should be taken during surgery to avoid anaphylaxis and preoperative spread of the parasite throughout the body."

They do occasionally crop up together, apparently.

A New Way of Looking at Molecular Motors

HHMI News: "All complex organisms use myosin and its relatives, kinesin and dynein, to move substances around inside cells and to help cells move from one place to the other. Myosins also help parasites enter and infect hosts. Defects in the motors play a role in a variety of human and animal disorders, including retinitis pigmentosa (which causes blindness), polycystic kidney disease, brain development defects, neurodegenerative diseases, muscular dystrophy, skin pigmentation problems, and genetic hearing loss. All complex organisms use myosin and its relatives, kinesin and dynein, to move substances around inside cells and to help cells move from one place to the other. Myosins also help parasites enter and infect hosts. Defects in the motors play a role in a variety of human and animal disorders, including retinitis pigmentosa (which causes blindness), polycystic kidney disease, brain development defects, neurodegenerative diseases, muscular dystrophy, skin pigmentation problems, and genetic hearing loss. "

Then, where do we get myosin?

Abstract for "Getting the Jump on Amphibian Disease"

This article on "Getting the Jump on Amphibian Disease" talks about one documented cause of polycystic kidney disease, in a frog, at least:

"A number of hyperolid frogs were captured in the wild in Tanzania and imported to Germany for scientific reasons in December 1999. The species is as yet unidentified. The frogs were imported as Hyperolius marmoratus but this species does´not seem common in Tanzania. 5 adult frogs (3 males and 2 females) died in air transport and were dissected routinely. 3 specimens showed signs of ascites. In these animals (2 males, 1 female), a polycystic change of the kidneys was discovered by macroscopic examination. The kidneys appeared swollen and contained numerous cyst-like processes (up to 1 mm in diameter) on the surface. These cysts were filled with pale yellowish fluids containing red blood cells, granulocytes and masses of free spores, plasmodia and other developmental stages of a myxozoon parasite."

From the way PKD is described, a parasite theory would seem to fit. Like, starts with a few cysts, they replicate and shut down the organ they're living on, eventually (potentially) "travelling" to other organs.

Something to try

Pumpkin Power Block LP: "This product is a true physical sun block. Titanium dioxide is a natural earth mineral that completely deflects harmful UV rays. A physical sun block is very different from a sunscreen. Sunscreens absorb and diffuse sunrays where sun blocks completely block them. This product is indicated for skins with pre-cancerous lesions, skin cancer and skins using acids of any kind. Clients using Retin-A, skin peels, or acid based products need physical sunblocks. "

Just blogging this for future reference.

Irreversible suppression of gastric acid secretion

Pharmacodynamic modeling of pantoprazole's irreversible effect on gastric acid secretion in humans and rats.: "The relationship between the pharmacokinetics of pantoprazole, an irreversible proton pump inhibitor, and its effect on gastric acid secretion was evaluated in humans and rats."

Does this sound like a drug that should be available to anybody, at any time? Um, no.

Novel treatment for acidosis

Toxemia and Alkalosis Treatment with Hydrochloric acid--1935: "What is acidosis? An accumulation of acids or a diminution of the pH reaction. But what acids? We can glibly say: carbonic acid in the blood or lactic acid in the tissues, uric acid in the joints and blood vessels; lactic, diacetic, butyric in the stomach or intestines, and so forth. We may even visualize hepatic acids in the liver, but unless we know why these acids appear in excess and their relation to alkalosis we shall never be able to understand their true significance or marshal our remedies effectively against them. The only normal acid in the animal body is, of course, hydrochloric acid--- found in the gastric juice. All other acids are waste products. The carbonic acid of the breath is created by the oxidation of the lactic acid of the tissues; therefore, an excess of lactic acid is a failure to oxidize this acid sufficiently. In diseases, such as cancer, tuberculosis and fevers, this failure of complete oxidation is present, particularly so in cancer, where the cancer cells, too, throw off this substance. The amino acids are but stages of food digestion, and, when present in excess, show impaired hepatic and pancreatic functions. The most pernicious form of acidosis is that produced when a stoppage occurs in the duodenum or pylorus. In this condition the HCI of the gastric fluid disappears, and other acids, such as the acetic, butyric, lactic, take its place. Also Dr. L. G. Rowntree, of Philadelphia, says in this condition the chlorine of the blood is usually diminished, the urea increased and the capacity of the blood to combine with carbon dioxide increased."

Bad cholesterol?

The Water Cure recipe drinking water, chlorine, minerals: "In truth, the so-called 'bad' cholesterol is actually far more beneficial than is appreciated. The reason for its rise in the body is because of complications caused by chronic unintentional dehydration and insufficient urine production.

Dehydration produces concentrated, acidic blood that becomes even more dehydrated during its passage through the lungs before reaching the heart – because of evaporation of water in the lungs during breathing. The membranes of the blood vessels of the heart and main arteries going up to the brain become vulnerable to the shearing pressure produced by the thicker, acidic blood. This shearing force of toxic blood causes abrasions and minute tears in the lining of the arteries that can peel off and cause embolisms of the brain, kidneys and other organs. To prevent the damaged blood vessel walls from peeling, low-density (so-called 'bad') cholesterol coats and covers up the abrasions and protects the underlying tissue like a waterproof bandage until the tissue heals.

Thus, the vital, life-saving role of low-density cholesterol proves this substance is of utmost importance in saving the lives of those who do not adequately hydrate their bodies so that their blood can flow easily through the blood vessels without causing damage."