Functions of the Interstitium

One of the discussions focuses on the potential role of the Interstitium and interstitial fluid in the spread of diseases throughout the body. This includes the metastasis of cancer cells from one site to others in the brain and body. Dr. Neil D. Theise, one of the study’s lead authors has been reported as saying that because the Interstitium is located in regions throughout the body, understanding it could have implications for an impossible-to-predict range of systems from head to toe. "You push the first domino down and when you look up to see where the dominoes have fallen, you realize they've spread out everywhere." Based on this research, using new method of examination (in vivo microscopy), some are predicting that the microanatomy of the entire body will need to be re-examined.

Interstitium Locations

Researchers have identified several locations in the body where the Interstitium and interstitial fluid have been identified. These reportedly include: ·       Skin ·       Esophagus, stomach, gallbladder, pancreas ·       Small and large intestines ·       Lungs ·       Fascia ·       Urinary bladder ·       Tissue around arteries and veins Reportedly, the interstitial fluid is used to create lymph fluid, which is part of the body's immune system, transporting (for example) white blood cells throughout the body to wherever they are needed to help fight infections.

Interstitium, 2

The network of tissues known as the Interstitium (pronounced "inter-stish-um"), appears to not only contain micronutrients and other substances that are needed by every body organ but also functions as a “distribution center” for then. It gets signals from body organs requesting specific substances that are thought to impact organ repair as well as the aging process. In addition, the Interstitium’s interstitial fluid may facilitate the transmission of these substances across the Blood Brain Barrier, providing them to the brain. Some are suggesting that the Interstitium may actually be a “new” body organ itself, although more research likely is needed to determine when this tissue can actually be classed as a separate body organ—a group of tissues having a unique structure and that perform specialized tasks (like the kidneys or heart, or liver, for example). Either way and regardless of “organ” designation, according to one of the study’s lead authors, Neil D. Theise, a pathology professor at New York University School of Medicine, understanding more about the Interstitium and interstitial fluid means that this discovery will likely trigger "a significant reassessment of anatomy affecting every organ of the body.”

Interstitium – the What?

Some of you may recall when I blogged about the revolutionary finding by Dr. Kipnis’ laboratory that there is an immune system in the brain; that the three coverings of the brain (the meninges) are filled with immune system vessels. Well, according to the news, a report published in the published in the journal Scientific Reports, there’s another interesting research finding popping up on the horizon. It has been known for some time that there is a network of spongy connective tissue called the interstitium that functions as a sort of shock absorber for many of the internal body organs. It may contain as much as 20 percent of all the fluid in the body. Using a new type of microscope, researchers now believe that the interstitium may be way more than just protective padding. More tomorrow

Sleep and Your Heart, 2

According to Jose Ordovas, an investigator at the National Center for Cardiovascular Research in Madrid, Spain, their research team used coronary ultrasound and CT scans to study 4,000 Spanish adults (average age of 46) and the condition of their heart’s arteries. The study found that individuals who slept less than six hours each night were 27 percent more likely to have body-wide atherosclerosis than those who slept seven to eight hours a night—thus amount of sleep appears to be linked with heart health. Ordovas reportedly said that this study emphasizes that sleep is one of the weapons that can be used to fight heart disease—and that sleep is a factor that many people compromise on a daily basis. Other studies have shown that both the brain and the heart work best when everything is in balance. Meaning that too much sleep also appears to be detrimental to both the brain and the heart.

Sleep and Your Heart

You may have heard that sleep is independently linked with longevity. Failure to give your brain enough sleep to complete its “nightly housekeeping chores” has been correlated with cognitive dysfunction during the day and a potentially shortened lifespan. Studies suggest that for the brain it takes 7-8 hours on average to keep it healthy, and that most people are sleep deprived based on the estimate that 80% of the world’s population needs an alarm clock to wake up each morning. Now it looks like it’s not just the brain that needs enough sleep—but the heart, as well. A study that was just published (January 14, 2019 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology) has concluded that the minimum amount of sleep per night that is required to lower one’s risk for developing atherosclerosis (accumulation of fatty plaque deposits in arteries) is six hours.

Read, Read, Read

B You can “read” using your eyes, fingers, or ears. Dr. Amir Soas of Case Western Reserve University Medical School in Cleveland has studied the types of activities that stimulate and challenge the brain. For example, he has concluded that when you watch TV, your “brain goes into neutral.” That’s unhelpful for healthy aging. Thus he recommends that everyone “cut back on TV.” Instead, “read, read, read.” He also says do crossword puzzles, play chess or games such as scrabble, study a foreign language, and get a new hobby that stimulates and challenges your brain. So knowing this information, you might want to take a look at your habits and at the types of stimulating and challenging mental activities you have included in your daily activities. How much do you read?