The Biochemistry of Treatment (pg 7)

IV.  SOD (Superoxide Dismutase)

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is a detoxification enzyme that is commonly deficient in chemically ill patients.⁴² SOD needs adequate zinc, copper, and manganese to function.⁴¹ Here its function is to stop highly damaging peroxynitrite from forming more nitric oxide. SOD also has other antioxidant actions.⁵⁴ These SOD cofactors of zinc, copper and manganese are often reduced in chemically injured patients⁴² and should be tested and replaced in well absorbed and transported forms, for example, picolinates. The picolinate form is used in this chemical injury treatment (neural protocol) so these minerals are quickly carried to where they are needed. Antioxidant function in general is usually reduced in chemically ill patients,²¹ and increased lipid peroxides and other damaging free radicals are common.⁴² These cause ongoing damage if not corrected.  

V.   COMPOUNDS RELATED TO PEROXYNITRITE BIOCHEMISTRY

Magnesium levels should be ample. Deficiency is very common with toxic injury.⁴¹ Adequate magnesium decreases NMDA activation (excess NMDA increases the inflammatory vicious cycle of neural sensitization). Magnesium acts as a blocker of the NMDA nerve receptor, thus reducing nerve pain and its inflammation.⁶⁵ Reducing NMDA activation helps reduce damaging peroxynitrite.

Trimethyl glycine (betaine) is recommended as a methyl donor to reduce the damage of peroxynitrite.

Adequate genetic enzyme MTHFR is needed to make bioactive folate. This enzyme often has impaired function. Thus the neural protocol provides oral bioactive folate (MTHF) and nebulizer folinic or MTHF modest dose to be the most effective.

Folate in its bioactive form (L-5 methyl tetrahydrofolate) acts as a methyl donor to reduce damage from peroxynitrite. This bioactive form is in the neural protocol, helping everyone regardless of genetic folate problems.

VI.  PEROXYNITRITE SCAVENGERS

Natural Vitamin E as mixed tocopherols. Only the gamma tocopherol reduces damage of peroxynitrite.^66,67 Without presence of adequate gamma tocopherol, alpha tocopherol alone can displace gamma tocopherol in cells: both are needed.⁶⁸ Alpha tocopherol reactivates glutathione⁶⁹ and protects cells from chemical injury.^70,71 Vitamin E is usually given separately since it is fat soluble.

Tocotrienols are also needed. They protect similar to vitamin E but are better able to enter the brain. A mixture of carotenoids is also needed to scavenge peroxynitrite. Carotenoids may be more organ-specific.  An inclusion of gingko (brain), silimarin (liver), bilberry (collagen stabilizing, capillary permeability, vision), cranberry (urinary) and other mixed caretenoids is recommended. Silimarin also enhances the detoxification enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in cells,⁷² and SOD is important in helping to stop the neural sensitization vicious cycle. Bilberry is a potent flavinoid antioxidant that reduces blood vessel and capillary fragility and permeability⁷³ and improves damaged neurologic function.  ⁷⁴ Bioflavinoids help body cells make more glutathione,⁷⁵ the body’s essential antioxidant.^62,87 Taurine has been shown to reduce lipid damage (forming of lipid peroxides) from peroxynitrite.⁷⁶

Bibliography: Neural Sensitization: The Key to Medical Treatment

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