RESUMEN
It is, by now, well established that mold toxins (mycotoxins) can cause significant adverse health effects. In this study, 15 subjects who developed an attention deficit disorder (ADD) and slowing of reaction time at the time of exposure to mold toxins were identified. Deficits in attention span and reaction time were documented not only by taking a careful history, but also by performing a Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA). The TOVA test provides an objective measure of these two variables. It was found that mold-exposed subjects show statistically significant decreases in attention span and significant increases in reaction time to stimuli compared to controls. After ten sessions of hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT), a statistically significant improvement was seen in both measures. This preliminary study suggests promising outcomes in treating mold-exposed patients with hyperbaric oxygen.
Asunto(s)
Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/tratamiento farmacológico , Atención/efectos de los fármacos , Hongos/aislamiento & purificación , Oxigenoterapia Hiperbárica/métodos , Micosis/complicaciones , Micosis/tratamiento farmacológico , Tiempo de Reacción/efectos de los fármacos , Adolescente , Adulto , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Micosis/microbiología , Resultado del Tratamiento , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
After exposure to many toxic chemicals, NK function can be decreased significantly. Weeks or months later, natural killer (NK) function can rebound to normal levels in some and can be suppressed for prolonged periods of time in other patients. In view of this, we decided to study the effect of buffered vitamin C on NK, T and B cell function in patients who had been exposed to toxic chemicals. After the first blood draw, 55 patients immediately ingested granulated buffered vitamin C in water at a dosage of 60 mg/Kg body weight. Exactly 24 hours later, blood was again drawn for a follow-up study of NK, T and B cell function. Vitamin C in high oral dose was capable of enhancing NK activity up to ten-fold in 78% of patients. Lymphocyte blastogenic responses to T and B cell mitogens were restored to the normal level after vitamin C usage. Signal transduction enzyme protein kinase C (PKC) appeared to be involved in the mechanism of induction of NK activity by vitamin C. We conclude that immune functional abnormalities can be restored after toxic chemical exposure by oral usage of vitamin C.