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Abstract
There is reason to believe that environmental factors are becoming an important factor in diseases of autoimmune origin. This means that while the self-destructive capacity of the body may be inactivity, there is an increased influence of external environmental factors as well. Recognizing these factors may help in the treatment and prevention of the increased number of diseases.
Introduction
The influence of environmental factors in autoimmune diseases is a somewhat recent debate which is gradually gathering momentum. This is perhaps due to the concept of autoimmune diseases as occurring independent from any external factors. But recent researches are beginning to highlight certain factors and agents that may have a role to play in the development of autoimmune diseases. These factors still do not explain the incidences of the diseases in all cases, but in some, it is starting to show some association. As autoimmune diseases are more prevalent in the women, there is an increase in the numbers of middle aged women suffering from such disorders. (Cantorna and Mahon, 2004)
The problem with autoimmune diseases is that there is no way to remove them from the body once they begin. Although remaining a small percentage of the diseases in the world, the problem is the life long affliction of the disease, with no method of curing it. This self mediated injury of the body itself leads to a crippled life in many cases, with further progression of the disease till the end of life. (Shreffler, 2003)
Of the many materials that are thought to contribute to these diseases, some include vinyl chloride, silica, organic compounds, metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and mycotoxins etc. (Shreffler, 2003)
Main body
Many diseases are included in the list of autoimmune diseases, and for each the researches are showing different external agents as playing a part. In Parkinsonism for example, researches are showing the influence of herbicides and insecticides in the development of the disease. Flemming and his colleagues in an early study conducted in 1994 stated that organochlorine pesticides are demonstrated in many of the postmortem Alzheimer disease cases, as well as in the cases of Parkinsonism. The research was able to show some significant association of the Dieldrin with Parkinson’s disease, which has reinforced the effect of external factors in the progression of the disease. (Fleming et al, 1994)
The National Institute of Environmental Health highlights many of the conditions and diseases that show a high environmental factor dictating them. Asthma, autism, breast cancer, lung diseases, lupus conditions, Parkinson’s disease and various problems in the reproductive health are all getting affected by various environmental factors. The most prevalent of these environmental factors include dioxins, electric and magnetic fields, endocrine disruptors, lead, mold, ozone and pesticides. Pollution of the various natural resources is considered the biggest route of exposure to these hazardous agents, which means that as the concentrations of these substances increases, the chances of increased prevalence also rise. (NIEHS, 2007)
Similarly, recent studies have shown an increase in the prevalence of autism during the years. While cases where family tendency and genetics are involved are concerned are understandable causes of autism in a child, cases where there is no genetic predisposition point to a possible involvement of external factors or factors that are causing disturbances in the gene pattern. (Shattock, 2006) Other disorders that have shown a rise in numbers during the years include dyslexia, sudden infant death syndrome, Crohn’s disease, Gulf war syndromes etc. The changes in the lifestyles have led to the introduction of many new agents in every day life, such as radiations from the television sets, the increased use of pesticides, increased productions and waste products from various manufacturing factories, high aluminum contents in the water sources, and the increased use of organophosphate compounds. Such changes may be a very important factor in the changes in prevalence of various diseases as well as autoimmune disorders. Although the evidence that such factors are in fact causing conditions such as autism may be lacking, the strong associations seen show that this remains a distinct possibility requiring further research.(Shattock, 2006)
Article by Wallace (2001) states various factors that have been shown to increase the incidence or increase the severity of the various autoimmune conditions. Raynaud’s phenomenon, giant cell arteritis, polymyalgia rheumetica are among those conditions that are worsened with the colder climates and drops in temperature. (Wallace and Weissman, 2001) Similarly, he states that cutaneous lupus is “more active in smokers”, coffee or such caffeine containing products may cause increase in the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, ultraviolet light flares lupus, and silicone injections may cause an increase in the autoimmune diseases. (Wallace and Weissman, 2001)
Of the many factors that are coming to light regarding environmental causes of diseases, the role of vitamin D is also getting attention. Vitamin D is continuing to show its association with some very disturbing health conditions such as diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. With this evidence in hand, many researchers believe that vitamin D is a significant contributor to the body’s self tolerance. Most of the vitamin D is obtained by the body through sunlight and dietary sources are often inadequate. Curiously, vitamin D deficiencies are seen in people who are Caucasian by race or other fair skinned complexion people. This may be due to the decrease in the melanin activity in such people, which is essential in the formation of vitamin D. similarly, the genetic variations in any genes of vitamin D have also been shown to cause in the increase in various autoimmune conditions and disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. Vitamin D is thought to help in the accurate activity in the T cells, one of the primary cells involved in causing autoimmune reactions. Any derangement in the working of the cells may be the reason of incrased susceptibility of immune diseases. All in all, the role of nutritional factors such as vitamin D is also in the list of factors causing increased autoimmune disease prevalence. (Cantorna and Mahon, 2004)
Among the other factors responsible in the changes in the different disease, it is anticipated that the environment where a person is living in is almost as important factor as any other in the causing of disease.(NIAID, 2001) For example, cities and regions where there is overcrowding and poor sanitation may lead to increased prevalence of diseases such as diarrhea and cholera. The recurrence of the vibrio cholera infection is the example of both the adaptive changes of the bacterium to the new environment as well as the effect of poor sanitary conditions that are seen in overcrowded cities. Similarly, climate changes have caused an increase in the prevalence of the diseases such as the valley fever, and mosquitoes. Viral, bacterial and parasitic infections are also showing changes in their living habits and environments in lieu with the changes in the climate and exposure to various environmental agents. The production of newer materials and plastics is very different from the materials made a century ago, and therefore, while there have been improvements in the quality and reduction of toxicity of some substances, newer substances are emerging that are leading to new challenges for the clinicians, the environmentalists and the researchers alike.(NIAID, 2001)
Conclusion
In conclusion, there is mounting evidence that contrary to the belief that autoimmune diseases were immune to any external environmental factors, there is cause to believe that environmental factors are becoming an important factor in the progression and increased prevalence of autoimmune disease among other diseases as well. Understanding these relationships may help in the reduction of such conditions, which are life long, of continuing debility and cause significant morbidity and mortality among the populations.
References
Fleming L. Mann J. B., Bean J., Briggle T., Sanchez Ramos Jr. Parkinson’s Disease and Brain Levels of Organochlorine Pesticides. Annals of Neurology, 36(1):100-3, 1994.
NIAID Research Agenda for Emerging Infectious Disease. Research on Ecologic and Environmental Factors Influencing Emergence.
NIEHS, 2007. Environmental Health Topics.
Paul Shattock, 2006. Environmental Factors in the Causation of Autism. Paper presented at Durham Conference 1999.
Carol Shreffler, 2003. NIEHS Extramural Update. Environmental Factors in Autoimmune Disease. Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 111, No. 9, 2003.
Daniel J. Wallace and Micheal H. Weissman, 2001. The Role of Environmental Factors in Rheumatic Disease. Bulletin on the Rheumatic Disease. Vol 51 No. 10.
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