A hallmark in patients with neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis (MS), is an elevated level of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This is a result of increased plasma endotoxin leading to macrophage activation and a persistent low-grade inflammatory response. Two recent articles have further implicated the role of endotoxin in these diseases.
A recent publication from Italy has shown that endotoxin is important in the aggregation of amyloid fibrils, a significant reaction in the progression of AD:
Can a Bacterial Endotoxin be a Key Factor in the Kinetics of Amyloid Fibril Formation?A report from the UK has shown that endotoxin-induced macrophage activation in MS lesions produce cytokines that cause axonal injury:
Systemic Inflammation Induces Axon Injury During Brain InflammationBoth of these reports highlight the devastating effects of bacterial infection in patients with neurological disorders and the importance of monitoring endotoxin-associated inflammation even in the absence of "overt clinical signs".
Scientists at BioDtech, Inc. have successfully removed trace amounts of endotoxin bound to proteins. In addition they have measured previously undetectable levels of endotoxin which could cause activation of the immune system. BioDtech products are designed to more accurately detect endotoxin and remove it from proteins and DNA.
