Can anyone tell me anything about NK (natural killer) cells?

IBackBevo

The one thing I have learned over the last 2+ years in my experience with doctors is that I have to take charge of my own treatment and educate myself.  I was reviewing articles on the causation of preeclampsia and trying to prevent it, I came across a very recent (this June) article in the Journal of Clinical Investigation that suggested that they play some role in pre-eclampsia.  I know that I have heard this mentioned on the IF forums before.  Can anyone tell me more about it in simple terms?  I feel like I am reading greek when I read some of these articles....

 

 

 

amandaleigh1

I am just a biologist with too many years of education and by no means an expert on inflammation. NK cells are special cells involved in the inflammatory process. Inflammation (I think if the blood vessels) if one of the inputs into preeclampsia. If you can reduce the causes of inflammation, you can lessen the chances of its onset, from what I gather.

I believe that there are specialized diets out there that have been proven to reduce the incidence of preeclampsia. If you are serious about avoid it, I would look to find a nutritionist to work with to get you on one of these diets.

This is a paper I found which correlated a diet to the NK cells and other markers of inflammation:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23772281

itsmevkb

I have actually never heard of NK cells in relation to pre-e, only in relation to miscarriage.  With my fifth pregnancy my natural killer cell activity was tested weekly through 14 weeks (which was the point of my latest loss) and when the level would get too high is when I received the IV intralipids.  I think I had three treatments in all.  I guess the good thing about intralipids is that you're really just receiving what is in essence an IV of a high fat solution.  I don't believe it can harm someone.

I would think a reproductive immunologist might be able to provide you with more information as many actually believe that natural killer cells play a role in pregnancy whereas most other doctors look at you like you have three eyes if you even mention them.  There are two very well respected ones in Chicago who I believe do phone consults and I'm sure others around the country as well.

IBackBevo

I have never had mine tested that I kknow of, but a new study using mouse models showed there was a connection. I would post a link but can't for some reason.