Theory of Pemphigus and Remissions

A former professor at UCLA, Roy Walford, in his book, The Immunologic Theory of Aging, published in 1969, was one of the first to recognize that many of the illnesses associated with aging are the result of the gradual shrinkage of the thymus gland, which regulates the immune system. As the thymus gland shrinks, the production of T cells, which help to fight off infectious diseases, autoimmunity, and cancer, is diminished.

T cells are the key to a healthy immune system. They originate in bone marrow, but develop and mature in the thymus, where they become differentiated according to the role they will play in protecting us from "invaders," or antigens, which pose a threat to healthy functioning. In the case of pemphigus, the threat comes from self-antigens, which attack our own tissues and cells.

One of the mechanisms that the thymus has developed to distinguish between self and non-self antigens is the production of regulatory T cells, or Tregs. These cells are known as "T-cell subsets" that actively suppress immune function, and recent studies indicate that Tregs actually secrete large amounts of immunosuppressants.

As we age, and the thymus gland begins to shrink, the level of T cells decreases, and the incidence of age-related diseases increases. This is the general theory proposed by Walford, but it would also seem to apply specifically to the development of pemphigus, which occurs generally between 40-60 years of age. As the thymus shrinks, and the efficiency of T reg cells is diminished, self-antigens have a better chance of attacking healthy tissues and cells. Without the regulatory T cells, they have free reign, and can cause an amazing amount of damage.

An article from PubMed, a service of the National Institues of Health, points out that the maturation and differentiation of T reg cells is directly related to the level of the trace mineral Zinc.

"Zinc is an essential trace element for many biological functions, including immune functions. Indeed zinc is required for the biological activity of a thymic hormone, called thymulin (which is) important for the maturation and differentiation of T-cells. With advancing age, zinc thymic functions and peripheral immune efficiency show a progressive decline. Supplementing zinc in old age restores them." http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9883983

"The importance of zinc to overall body health is well documented. It is a co- factor in 70 enzyme systems, and zinc has been shown to increase the number and efficiency of T cells....Some studies suggest at least 25mg daily is needed to properly restore and maintain the immune system.

"The relationship between the immune system, the thymus gland, and serum zinc levels is being studied by Nicola Fabris of Italy, and was recently reported at an international conference. Zinc can help reverse some of our failing immune functions, he states, by restoring our thymus gland, which usually starts to shrink after the age 60 and is followed by declines in the levels of T and B cells. This drastic shrinkage is caused by a gradual decline of zinc in the body, which seems to spontaneously happen as one grows older. This may be because the body becomes less efficient at assimilating the metal or the amount in the diet decreases. Whichever, the proper size and functioning of the thymus can be restored by daily ingestion of small doses (at least 15mg) of chelated zinc." http://acupuncture.com/conditions/cfsherbs.htm

Some of the stories of remission that appear on this site would seem to support the idea that zinc can restore the thymus gland to a level where pemphigus is no longer a problem, and the T regs for self-antigens are able to take over the role of prescribed immunosupressants such as prednisone and Imuran. In each case, 3-6 months after supplementing their diets with a multi vitamin or "stresstab" containing at least 22 mg of zinc, 6 patients have reported being able to taper off of prednisone completely, and have remained in remission without it. A few of their stories are included here.

Knowing how the immune system functions, and the role that zinc plays in restoring the thymus gland, it would seem that some form of zinc should be included in the treatment plan of everyone who suffers from pemphigus. Those of us who have had this disease know how painful and uncomfortable it can be, and how difficult it is to live with the side effects caused by the long-term use of prednisone and immunosuppressants. Prednisone is essential for the first stage of treatment, in which the erratic functioning of the immune system must be stopped, but with the inclusion of zinc in the treatment plan, it may be possible to shorten the length of time that prednisone is required. If the level of zinc is maintained between 22-25 mg on a daily basis, the thymus will have a better chance of recovery, and the T cells can take over the role of suppressing the immune system naturally. A typical stresstab formula can be found Here.

This is a very simplified view of a very complex function, involving not only T cells, but B cells and "macrophages," but the biological facts are sound, and the role of zinc has been established. The resulting remissions in patients who have supplemented their diets with formulas containing zinc indicate that this is one possible road toward remission. There are other examples, such as Rituxan and IVIG treatments, but these are extremely expensive, and carry with them the possibility of severe, drug-related side effects.

Home