TRPM3 = non-selective ion channel with greatest permeability for CALCIUM
The ion channels form pores on cell surfaces. Upon activation, the cell depolarizes & the pores open, allowing ions to pass through and carry electrical currents. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
TRPM3 is expressed in various regions:
kidney >> brain > ovary = testes
It's expressed on peripheral nerves & neurons, “mediating the crosstalk between the nervous system & immune system, particularly in the context of inflammation.”👀
Multiple studies have shown significant reduction in natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity in ME.
A 2016 study found that NK cells showed significantly reduced cytotoxicity in ME/CFS pts compared to healthy controls (17%±2.58% vs 31% ±6.78%).
Why is this relevant?
Because these same ME/CFS patients also had mutations (i.e., single nucleotide polymorphisms = SNPs) in 11 TRP ion channels: notably, *five* SNPs associated with TRPM3 and two SNPs with TRPM8, suggesting dysregulation of Ca2+ in TRP ion channel signaling. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27099524/
Another 2016 study examined TRPM3 cell surface expression for NK and B cells in 17 ME/CFS pts compared to 19 healthy controls.
In ME/CFS pts, authors found a significant ⬇️ in:
-cytoplasmic Ca2+ in CD19+ B lymphocytes
-TRPM3 surface expression on CD19+ B lymphocytes & NK cells
All together, this strongly suggests impaired calcium mobilization in ME/CFS--and perhaps also in Long Covid, considering undeniable similarities and recent reports. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27245705/
A 2019 systematic review of NK cell profile & cytotoxic function in ME/CFS examined 17 observational case control studies.
Authors found that “impaired NK cell cytotoxicity remained the most consistent immunological report across all publications.” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
Recall that TRPM3 is expressed on peripheral nerves & neurons and mediates crosstalk between the nervous system & immune system. If calcium signaling is dysregulated, could this crosstalk be impaired?
The above study identifies two additional key players:
IL-2 and PIP2. (Note that IL-2 ⬆️ NK cell cytotoxicity.)
Authors concluded:
👉🏼TRPM function is tightly regulated by PIP2
👉🏼PIP2-dependent TRPM3 function may be impaired in ME/CFS patients
This leads us a bit astray...
...so I'll come back to this later.
Note possible connection (speculation on my part):
Upon GPCR activation, PLC breaks down PIP2 to IP3 & DAG. IP3 opens Ca2+ channel, releasing Ca2+ into cytosol. If PIP2 dysfunctional, could GPCR auto-Ab be to blame? frontiersin.org/articles/10.33…
Back on track:
Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) has shown benefit in Long Covid and ME/CFS, but why?
One major factor relates to TRPM3!
Naltrexone is an opioid antagonist. Opioids agonize (stimulate) µ-opioid receptors (µOR), and µOR agonism inhibits TRPM3.
Importantly, LDN *counteracts* this TRPM3 inhibition.
µOR are also expressed in immune cells where they play immunomodulatory & immunosuppressive roles. Thus LDN may also help NK cell function.
This 2019 study confirmed through electrophysiological investigations that TRPM3 function was impaired in ME/CFS. However, after 24 h incubation w/ naltrexone, TRPM3 channel activity was *restored* in IL-2 stimulated NK cells isolated from ME/CFS patients. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/P…
What about symptom improvement? This 2021 study by same authors as above examined the effects of LDN in 9 ME pts. Authors tracked self-reported symptoms before & after LDN treatment. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31736966/
👉🏼9 ME pts and 9 matched healthy controls (HC)
participated.
👉🏼ME pts had previously started LDN 3-5 mg/day for ≥4
wks.
👉🏼ME/CFS pts reported severity of symptoms prior
to & after LDN trial.
👉🏼Immune disturbances & cognition/concentration sig
improved
Many other symptoms appeared to improve but the improvements were NOT statistically significant. Note this is based on subjective self-reporting and not objective criteria.
Authors also investigated TRPM3 ion channel activity in isolated NK cells from ME/CFS pts on LDN versus isolated NK cells from healthy controls.
They concluded that "ME/CFS patients taking LDN have restored TRPM3-like ionic currents in NK cells" (won't go into nitty gritty now)
Symptom resolution wasn't too impressive in this study, with only cognition, concentration and unspecified "immune disturbances" improved.
What improvements were in this 2019 retrospective study investigating LDN efficacy in ME?
Medical records from 218 ME/CFS patients were analyzed. 74% reported positive treatment response.
However, a breakdown of the responses looks less impressive:
👉🏼“improved vigilance/alertness” only symptom improved in >50%
👉🏼<25% reported improvements in any other symptoms
This single center prospective interventional pre post study examined efficacy of LDN in Long Covid patients. Median time from Covid diagnosis until enrollment was 333 days (IQR 171–396). 36 participants (69%) completed a questionnaire after 2+ mon trial. sciencedirect.com/science/articl…
A significant reduction was seen in low mood, personality change, joint pain, chest tightness & cough (p<0.05).
A trend was seen towards improved fatigue, shortness of breath, brain fog, sleep disturbance, & dysthesia (p<0.10, not statis sig).
Note: there was no control group.
TL;DR 1) ⬆️parallels reported b/t ME & LC. 2) One notable similarity involves impaired calcium 3) TRPM3 = calcium-permeable ion channel that shows dysfunction in ME & links to ⬇️NK cytotoxicity 4) LDN may help restore TRPM3 function 5) LDN may weakly improve some ME & LC symptoms
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In a new version of my TREAT ME survey, I presented a list of health conditions and asked long haulers to indicate if they had each condition *before* or *after* COVID, if at all. The results suggest that MANY long haulers develop new & disabling conditions post-acute COVID.🧵
For example:
👉5% reported immune dysfunction pre-COVID, while 21% developed it post-acute COVID.
👉1.9% had POTS pre-COVID, while 41% developed it post-acute COVID.
👉0% had ME/CFS pre-COVID, while 46% developed ME/CFS post-acute COVID.
⬇️
👉27% had migraines pre-COVID, while 24% developed migraines post-acute COVID.
👉2.8% had MCAS before COVID vs 16.4% post-acute COVID
👉1.4% had clotting disorders pre-COVID, while 11% developed clotting issues post-acute COVID.
⬇️
People w MIGRAINES may be predisposed to develop ME/CFS or Long COVID.🧵
"Post-COVID headache" is well-known, and many w/ pre-existing migraines notice their migraines worsen post-COVID. This makes sense as both Long COVID & migraines can involve impaired neurovascular coupling.
Based on my survey data, it appears a disproportionately large % of pwME & pwLC had migraines before developing ME or LC:
In the general population, ~6% of men & 17% of women experience migraines. In those w/ LC, however, 11% of men and 31% of women reported pre-LC migraines.⬇️
It's nearly the same in the ME group w/ 12% of men & 31% of women reporting pre-ME migraines.
Another 24% & 21% of those w/ LC or ME reported experiencing new-onset migraines after developing LC or ME.
Migraines in ME & LC are a big deal & warrant further study!
More evidence supports the use of both GREEN TEA and BLACK TEA to battle COVID.
This further strengthens my past recommendation to swish, gargle and drink green (or black) tea for COVID mitigation and prevention. nature.com/articles/s4159…
Study confirmed that EGCG in green tea & TFDG in black tea bind to the RBD of the spike protein & inactivate multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants to varying degrees.
Authors also found that the SALIVA in those who consumed black/green tea candies for 5 minutes reduced viral titers.👇
Compared to placebo candies, the black & green tea candies reduced viral titers by ~1000 order of magnitude. The effects lasted for about 5 minutes, wearing off likely due to quick saliva flow rate.
How are you? I've been on a Twitter break, but I wanted to provide an update.
First, the main reason for my break was that I found a more covid-safe school out of state for my child, so I've been traveling and figuring out the logistics for relocating.⬇️
The school has very sophisticated HVAC system with 6-7 air changes per hour! Plus the classroom sizes & overall population are smaller. Overall I feel thrilled to have found this place, but as you all know, moving is incredibly stressful & exhausting even for a healthy person!⬇️
The school is expensive as is the cost of living in the area so I've been looking for a job to help cover tuition. However, retail pharmacies don't want masked pharmacists & remote jobs are hard to find, esp with so many disabled #pwLC competing for part-time remote positions⬇️
Linked are articles #1 & 2 in a series of many detailing individual treatment results from #TREATME survey. At a later date, a comprehensive overview & analysis of pertinent data will be shared.🧵
OVERALL CONDITION
Over 81% on SCIG (n = 11) & 72% on IVIG (n=29) reported their overall condition improved. Strikingly, >52% reported feeling moderately to much better w/ >27% of the 38 respondents feeling “much better.” This is significantly better than most other surveyed txs!
TIME TO IMPROVEMENT
Responses varied substantially. 9 out of 25 (36%) respondents reported it took just 1 to 2 rounds of therapy before starting to feel better, while on the other extreme, 8 out of 25 (32%) respondents reported that over 10 rounds of IgG were required.
#TREATME
Check out the charts for #longCOVID & #MECFS to see how enzymes like NK stacked up against aspirin, Plavix, DOACs (example: apixaban), and heparin. I won't do a deep dive until I gather more data & close the survey but wanted to share some data so far!🧵
Very Quick thoughts: 1) Oral anticoagulants alone looks subpar in #pwLC likely bc they only prevent clot formation & don't degrade existing microclots. Goal is to give body a break so it may clear clots on its own, but some may be too sick to achieve this.
1) cont..
Also note small sample size, so can't draw strong conclusions yet.
2) Many #pwLC may have hyperactivated platelets so it would stand to reason than antiplatelet meds would help. While just 38% reported aspirin ALONE helped, 60% benefited from dual antiplatelet therapy.