Re: More on Sulfation, liver pathway

part 4:

Another interesting connection: Some cysteine is broken down into
taurine and sulfates unless the essential enzyme cysteine dioxygenase
is lacking. In some cases, the sulfur-oxidation of cysteine is
defective. About 30% of the population are slow sulfur-oxidizers and
2% are "nul" S-oxidizers, but in a small study of autistics, 45.8%
were "null" oxidizers! It appears that, in a high percentage of
autistics, oxidation of cysteine is impaired. Slow S-oxidation
appears to be inherited, and has been associated with a number of
disease states, especially Rheumatoid Arthritis and allergy that are
five times more common in the families of autistic children. One
study of severe food and chemical allergies found 94% had low S-
oxidation capacity and reduced plasma sulfate. It appears, then, that
the PST-troubled kid has numerous allergies, a light-colored stool, a
failure to digest fat from a lack of taurine-formed bile, and is
phenol toxic for want of sulfates. This condition might be indicated
by an elevated copper and mercury reading indicating not enough bile
is being made by the liver. This can sometimes be improved by taking
taurine, and glycine, and the overall condition can be improved by
supplementing sulfates. This seems to be added reason to supplement L-
histidine and molybdenum. The liver should be supported as indicated
elsewhere in this paper. Clinical studies showing that autistic
children with significant allergy problems have elevated
cysteine/sulfate ratios in their blood, and there are other
indications of disordered sulfur amino-acid chemistry.

High plasma cysteine/sulfate ratio indicates a problem of the body
either consuming or wasting sulfate too fast, or not properly forming
sulfate in the enzyme cascade. Cysteine itself is usually in normal
or elevated range, and the problems are concerning the sulfate.
Sulfite oxidase is the enzyme at the end of the metabolic chain from
methionine > cysteine > taurine > sulfate, and is a histidine-
molybdenum enzyme. Supplementing sulfate would surely be a benefit
for the problems directly related to not having enough sulfate for
completing detox and sulfating GAGs. However, some health problems
may be caused by the intermediate products of the impaired sulfur-
oxidation, and not just the lack of sulfate. High plasma or tissue
cysteine, that is, cysteine that is above the normal range,
irrespective of the sulfate levels, is actually quite a different
problem, indicating a failure of the first enzyme step in
metabolizing cysteine. This enzyme, cysteine dioxygenase (CDO), is an
iron-histidine enzyme.

People with high cysteine levels will report discomfort and illness
as a direct result of eating methionine/cysteine rich meats and
plants such as garlic and broccoli. Don't take the glutathione
precursors that contribute directly to the cysteine pool. Both L-
cysteine and whole glutathione do this. It's of interest to note that
cysteine is commonly incorporated into pharmacological preparations
as a stabilizer for peptides such as secretin. Standard chemical
calculations show that a rapid infusion of 1.0 mg cysteine HCl, as
contained in a vial of porcine secretin, will produce a significant
increase in the plasma concentration of cysteine. Since secretin is
not currently given in a weight dependent manner, the lower the
weight of an individual, the greater the increase in cysteine's
plasma concentration. The increase in the cysteine level from one
vial of secretin is negligible in adults, but almost doubles the
plasma concentration in a 30 pound child. This could have very
definite toxic effects for some with a sulfoxidation problem (PST
kids).

Cysteine possesses excitatory neurotransmitter properties, acting
centrally and peripherally at NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) type
glutamate receptors (Parsons et al., 1997). This effect in the CNS
may be responsible for hyperactivity reported by some parents soon
after a child receives secretin. In the presence of bicarbonate ions
in the GI tract (such as the bicarbonate-rich pancreatic fluid
induced by secretin), cysteine becomes a potent excitotoxin (Williams
et al., 1991) which could account for anecdotal reports of loose
stools or diarrhea a few days after a secretin infusion. NAC does not
contribute directly to cysteine toxicity unless you take massive
amounts of it. Around 500 mg/day (adult) you stand to benefit without
significantly increasing risk of cysteine toxicity. The common thread
in all of these failing enzymes is the need for adequate L-histidine.
L-histidine is used by the body in many metal/mineral bearing
enzymes, storage molecules, transport and excretion molecules. People
having metal/mineral enzyme problems, or metal/mineral disregulations
should be looking at supplementing this amino acid in addition to
adjusting their source of minerals such as molybdenum, copper, iron,
zinc, and manganese. In fact, histidine is such a powerful chelator
of heavy metals and minerals that it should probably be used only
under medical supervision lest a deficiency of necessary minerals be
created.

Following the Feingold diet plan will benefit these kids by exclusion
of foods known to include phenols. Salicylates, dyes, sodium
benzoate, BHA, BHT, FD&C yellow dye #5 (tartrazine), vanillin,
eugenol are all phenolic compounds. For a small membership fee, The
Feingold Association will provide a listing of foods to avoid, as
well as a continually updated list of safe foods. Their address is:
Feingold Association of the United States, PO Box 6550, Alexandria,
VA 22306, 1-800-321-3287.

Short of avoiding all these otherwise good foods containing phenols
and malonic acid, what can a PST child do to counter these
undesirable happenings? Take a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
several times a day as recommended elsewhere in this paper. Two
mothers report that Cranberry juice has reduced or eliminated these
effects, probably by reducing the yeast overgrowth. One should use
Schizandra Chinensis, a very important liver herb. It protects the
liver function and tissue from toxic damage, and has demonstrated a
clinically significant influence on the detoxification process.
Schizandra extract enhances liver glutathione status, and increases
Phase I and Phase II liver enzyme activity. It has no toxic activity.
Glutathione is a substrate for Phase II activity, and particularly
for glutathione-S-transferase (GST), a Phase II enzyme that adds a
glutathione group to Phase I products.

A*****ose®, Phyt•Aloe®, Dandelion, Ligustrum lucidum, Bovine
colostrum, Shark liver oil, excipients of powdered rice bran,
Schizandra, Green Tea, vitamins A, C, E, undenatured whey, and wheat
grass all produce glutathione effectively without any adverse
toxicity or without messing with the Phase I or Phase II enzyme
activity. A number of foods stimulate the body to produce more of the
Phase II enzymes. These foods have been shown to improve liver
detoxification, and to decrease the risk of developing cancer. They
include members of the cabbage family (crucifers), which includes not
only cabbage but broccoli, cauliflower, bok choy, Brussels sprouts,
green onions, garlic, and kale (all but one are in Phyt•Aloe®). These
vegetables contain compounds called aryl isothiocyanates which
directly stimulate the activity of an enzyme, glutathione S-
transferase, an important component of the Phase II system.
Unfortunately, these same vegetables contain high levels of phenols
which is the toxin not being excreted adequately in PST kids. They
also supply high sulfur that some cannot tolerate, and of course,
some are allergic to them.

Some have found Essaic™ tea helpful in this condition. Dr. Hugh
Fudenberg uses it with his immune-compromised patients, and states
that it heals the endothelial cells of the GI tract and the liver. It
is a proprietary formula of Burdock Root (arctium lappa), Slippery
Elm (ulmas vulva), Sheep Sorrel (rumex acetosella), and Indian
Rhubarb (rheuma palmatum). It probably should be used intermittently
for Burdock is toxic to the liver and peripheral blood mononuclear
cells (PBMC). Sheep Sorrel enhances cytochrome p450 (Phase I) liver
enzymes which will deplete fatty acids, steroids, estrogen,
Prostaglandins, retinoic acid (vitamin A), glycine, and body alcohols
faster, and make many drugs less effective. At least be aware, and if
you use it, supplement fatty acids (Evening Primrose and cod-liver
oil if your child can tolerate them) and glycine, and have the doctor
watch the liver and PBMC functions carefully. For limited periods,
use of herbs that enhance Phase I liver enzyme action would seem
beneficial to those without the PST/sulfoxidation problem. It can be
dangerous for PST kids because the more toxic metabolites of Phase I
action cannot be cleared effectively by PST (Phase II deficient)
types.

Nevertheless, enhancement of Phase I could enhance breakdown of
protein to amino acids, and limit the peptides that upon entering the
blood stream produce opioids. Some nontoxic herbs that do that are
Milk Thistle, Bistort, Ginger, Royal Jelly, and the aforementioned
sheep sorrel. Dandelion is nontoxic, a good chelator and detoxifier,
and has no effect on the Phase I function, thus it may be the best
choice for strengthening the liver function. I strongly advise that
you get the small book "The Liver Cleansing Diet, Love Your Liver and
Live Longer" by Sandra Cabot, MD, and follow this liver friendly
guide to eating. Half the small book consists of recipes. It can make
a world of difference when the liver functions as it should-otherwise
nothing else really works.

Three things that build the liver, even reversing hepatitis, are
Alpha Lipoic acid, Milk Thistle (for short time use), and selenium.

---------------------------------
Still on the topic of PST kids, if you are looking for a phase I AND
II liver support here is a product:

http://www.herbalalternatives.com/mtsxp.html


I suggest browsing through and looking at ALL of their products. I
have ordered the liver support above and one of their immune supports
and plan on trying others. The thing I like best is they are all
liquid drops!