No effects without causes: the Iron Dysregulation and Dormant Microbes hypothesis for chronic, inflammatory diseases, by Douglas B. Kell

ABSTRACT
Since the successful conquest of many acute, communicable (infectious) diseases through the use of vaccines and antibiotics, the currently most prevalent diseases are chronic and progressive in nature, and are all accompanied by inflammation. These diseases include neurodegenerative (e.g. Alzheimer's, Parkinson's), vascular (e.g. atherosclerosis, pre-eclampsia, type 2 diabetes) and autoimmune (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis) diseases that may appear to have little in common. In fact they all share significant features, in particular chronic inflammation and its attendant inflammatory cytokines. Such effects do not happen without underlying and initially ‘external’ causes, and it is of interest to seek these causes. Taking a systems approach, we argue that these causes include (i) stress-induced iron dysregulation, and (ii) its ability to awaken dormant, non-replicating microbes with which the host has become infected. Other external causes may be dietary. Such microbes are capable of shedding small, but functionally significant amounts of highly inflammagenic molecules such as lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid. Sequelae include significant coagulopathies, not least the recently discovered amyloidogenic clotting of blood, leading to cell death and the release of further inflammagens. The extensive evidence discussed here implies, as was found with ulcers, that almost all chronic, infectious diseases do in fact harbour a microbial component. What differs is simply the microbes and the anatomical location from and at which they exert damage. This analysis offers novel avenues for diagnosis and treatment.

„...Evidence that a low 25(OH)D3 level is an effect rather than a cause of inflammation
Inflammatory cytokines can induce expression of both the vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP27B1 that converts 25(OH)D3 to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3); 1,25(OH)2D3 suppresses elements of the adaptive immune system while stimulating elements of the innate immune system (Bikle, 2009). In addition (Bell, Shaw & Turner, 1984) 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits hepatic production of 25(OH)D3, explaining how inflammation can simultaneously cause high 1,25(OH)2D3 and low 25(OH)D3 levels (Fig. 2). Obviously measuring 25(OH)D3 levels alone will be a rather poor guide to the effective vitamin D status...“

Learn more/full paper: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/brv.12407