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Immunosuppression works by slowing down the process by which antibodies and immune cells are made. Put simply, it consists in reducing the body’s resistance. Depending on the causes, resistance may require a reduction in its level for a certain period of time or permanently. This process is caused by factors called immunosuppressants. The most common are immunosuppressive drugs.
In the past, X-rays were used instead of medications. Sometimes, surgical procedures are also performed. Such a procedure may involve, for example, excision of a given organ. The goal of the nonspecific immunosuppression is a decrease in immune reactivity. This is due to the fact that some processes may be harmful to the body. It is i.a. for transplant rejection or autoimmunity. The time it should be led by immunosuppression, It depends on many factors. They include, among others species and individual sensitivity, immune maturity, type and amount of the antigen and doses of the agent immunosuppressive, when it is used, and the type of immune response. It consists in the dependence of the hormonal type on the presence of antibodies or the cell type, which is conditioned by the presence of T lymphocytes. immunosupresyjne they consist in destroying lymphocytes thanks to the aforementioned methods, i.e. with radiation or through the use of appropriate drugs.
Immunosuppressants
The most commonly used immunosuppressants These are: glucocorticosteroids, antimetabolites (including methotrexate and azathioprine), alkylating drugs, i.e. cyclophosphamide and chloromethine. In immunosuppression Cyclosporin A and mycophenolate mofetil are also used. Action of immunosuppressive drugs it consists in suppressing the immune response at various stages. Immunosuppressants are selected depending on the stages and the disease entity. Drugs are most commonly used to prevent transplant rejection or to combat autoimmunity that causes diseases of the hematopoietic system or connective tissue. When the body tries to reject a transplant immunosuppression helps to defend against this process. It also prevents chronic rejection. Immunosuppression it also plays an important role as a preliminary step in preparing for a bone marrow transplant.
Immunosuppression it is also an important process in the fight against autoimmune diseases, i.e. it is used when the immune system attacks its own body. Among the previously mentioned diseases, we can mention: atopic dermatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease. Immunosuppressants it is also used in allergic and autoimmune diseases. It is worth noting that immunosuppressants can be served in various ways. The patient can take them orally, on the skin or by injection.
Immunosuppression – complications
Immunosuppressants besides suppressing the over-immune response, they also lead to a more general suppression of the immune system. It should be mentioned that this is associated with a lot of serious issues consequences. They include: frequent infections, e.g. viral, fungal and bacterial – related to the respiratory tract or urinary system, and an increased risk of various types of malignant neoplasms. Among them, we distinguish various types of cancer, sarcomas and lymphomas. Another complication is the different course of clinical diseases. It is also worth mentioning Fr. side effects, that cause the drugs themselves without binding them to the process immunosuppression. They can be, among others damage to the liver, heart or lungs. Down side effects actions drugs immunosuppressants we also include hypertension and gastric ulcer. You should also not forget about hyperlipidaemia, which means high levels of cholesterol in the blood in the body, which can lead to atherosclerosis.
Contraindications to immunosuppression
Immunosuppressants should not be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women. There are a few more important elements to remember. When a woman is receiving therapy with mTOR kinase blockers, effective contraception is recommended. This is due to the fact that it is not known what their impact on the embryo and fetus is. Depending on the agent used, the length of time during which a woman should not become pregnant is also important. If immunosuppression was based on everolimus, this period is two months. For sirolimus, it is three months.