Research/history
Since Paul Ehrlich’s research work, it is known that both human beings and animals require oxygen to survive. Since then, many aspects have been further developed, concerning the oxygen utilisation of human beings. Only when people discovered that derivatives of oxygen may cause diseases, biochemists began to notice the by-products of oxygen.
One revolutionary discovery was the fact that oxygen utilisation in the body produces highly reactive and toxic substances (so called oxygen radicals like Superoxidanion, hydrogen peroxide, Hydroxylradical). Some of these radicals are so dangerous that they cause a sudden cell death if they are not neutralised (reduced) immediately.
Our human body is equipped to neutralise these radicals. Still, in 1969 people in the United States of America refuted the thesis of Dr. McCord which claimed that radical-reducing enzymes exist in our body. Today it is a well known fact that enzymes like Superoxiddismutase, Katalase or Glutathionperoxidase definitely exist and function in our body.
If the human enzyme system is weak or over exerted, cells and cell components may be damaged, as well as being susceptible to metabolic diseases and ageing. We can therefore conclude that psychological stress leads to the formation of oxygen radicals caused through the reduction of adrenaline levels and that material stress through raised oxygen and energy consumption also leads to the formation of oxygen radicals. In addition, pathological cell modifications create an environment in which oxygen radicals can not be reduced by the intracellular enzyme system. Other producers of radicals are allergies. Previous examinations show that every chronic or degenerative disease is connected with oxygen radicals.
Free Radicals and Cancer
Larry W. Oberley and Garry R. Buettner (Radiation Research Laboratory, University of Iowa, USA) noted that ”it is known that there are great differences between malignant cancer cells and normal ones.” During their research they discovered that cancer cells lack ManganSuperOxidDismutase (ManganSOD), a radical reducing enzyme. ManganSOD is a specific SOD type, existing in the mitochondrion where oxygen is burnt for the energy supply. Its’ job is to catch and to reduce the oxygen radicals.
Another SOD type, the copper-zinc-SOD which resides in the cytoplasm of a cell, is reduced by tumours. Oberly and Buettner relate low levels of SOD to the rapid cell division caused by cancer. Furthermore, several other enzymes like Katalase or Gluthation-Peroxidase barely exist in cancer cells. We can therefore conclude that cancer patients can only rid themselves of free radicals insufficiently or perhaps not at all. The consequences for cells and the body are as follows:
Peroxidation of the zytoplasma membran, making it pervious or even destroying it.
A lipid peroxidation of subcellular organelles, effecting a release of the lysosomes-content into the cytoplasm/bloodserum. Lysosomes can be seen as ”vacume cleaners” which collect toxins. When these toxins enter the cytoplasm/blood serum, Hydrolyses enzymes are activated which then cause a self-digestion of the tissue.
A lipid peroxidation of the erythrocytes, causing a polymerisation of haemoglobin which strongly effects the transport of oxygen (see below).
Destruction of the haem-group, producing different bilesalts (Biliverdin, Bilirubin, Mesobilirubin etc.) which are partly responsible for the different shades of the coagulated blood.
Lipid peroxidation and destruction of important enzyme systems, which again support cancer as well as the break down of the normal bio-chemical process, including the protein synthesis.
An extensive production of fibrinogen, forming a fibrin net that encloses the cancer cells. The latter are now invisible for the immune resistance.
This fibrin net is made by an enzyme called Sialidase. Stimulated by the increased oxygen radical production, Sialidase reacts like Neuraminidase. (Neuraminidase is a bacterial enzyme that releases Fibrin-Monomeres from fibrinogen which then produce the slimy substance, fibrin.)
The effect is that cancer cells can no longer be located by the resistance mechanism of the body. Hans Nieper, a world renowned cancer specialist, has intensively examined this phenomenon. He discovered that the slimy substance exists in all blood. It is therefore necessary to remove this blocking slime with the help of an enzyme which is able to break down this slimy substance.
In addition, the very fast dividing cancer cells demonstrate a survival scheme of any lower level organism. Energy is being supplied by glycolysis. This fermentation of glucose produces less energy than the combustion of oxygen does. The cancer patient is confronted with an insufficient energy supply. This makes a normal life impossible. Furthermore, this mechanism produces a vast amount of lactic acid which bonds with iron and produces a lactic acid-ironoxydul which is not able to transport oxygen. The result is anaemia, the body suffers from lacking oxygen supply. A vicious circle builds up slowly but surely.
 |