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The Neuroendocrine Axis: The Nervous System and Inflammation

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Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2012

Part of the book series: Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine ((AUICEM,volume 2012))

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Abstract

Inflammation is the physiological answer of the organism to damage affecting its integrity, such as infection or trauma. In inflammation, cells of the immune system release cytokines and other mediators, which contribute to the destruction of bacteria and tissue repair. We distinguish here between pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g., interleukin-1 (IL-1), IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- a, and anti-inflammatory cytokines, e.g., IL-10 and IL-4. Local mechanisms regulate the extent of the inflammatory answer needed to remove the source of the damage and to maintain homeostasis. Humoral as well as neuronal mediators contribute to the regulation of inflammation. Humoral anti-inflammatory mediators, e.g., IL-10 and glucocorticoids, inhibit the release or effect of pro-inflammatory cytokines whereas lipoxins and resolvins contribute to tissue repair. Humoral mediators reach their target cells in distant organs by diffusion or transport by blood flow. Substances which are released by nerves, e.g., norepinephrine and acetylcholine, reach specific cell groups of distant organs rapidly [1].

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Authors
  1. K. Weismüller
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  2. M. A. Weigand
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  3. S. Hofer
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Intensive Care Erasme Hospital, Université libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, B-1070, Brussels, Belgium

    Jean-Louis Vincent (Head) (Head)

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Weismüller, K., Weigand, M.A., Hofer, S. (2012). The Neuroendocrine Axis: The Nervous System and Inflammation. In: Vincent, JL. (eds) Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2012. Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, vol 2012. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-25716-2_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-25716-2_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-25715-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-25716-2

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