Gland: Thymus

THE THYMUS

The thymus is a ductless gland located in the anterior mediastinal cavity, which reaches its maximum development in early childhood. As you leave early childhood, the thymus starts its process of involution. The hormone produced by the thymus is called thymosin A.
The purpose of thymosin A is to cause further proliferation and increased the activity of lymphocytes. The lymphatic system, spleen, thymus and bone marrow produce lymphocytes. The thymus gland produces T lymphocytes, which are mainly produced within a few months of life. The purpose of these T lymphocytes is to increase cell-mediated immunity. These T lymphocytes are specifically designed to destroy foreign agents.
Lymphocytes are located most extensively in the lymph nodes but are also found in the spleen, the submucosa of the gastrointestinal tract and the bone marrow. The purpose of this lymphoid tissue is to intercept invading organisms or toxins before they spread. For example, the lymphoid tissue of the gastrointestinal tract is exposed to antigens coming in through your food and drink. The lymphoid tissues in your throat are your tonsils and adenoids, which are the first line of defense in your upper respiratory tract. Your peripheral lymph nodes are responsible for protecting the peripheral body when traumatized and cut.
The lymphoid tissue in the spleen and bone marrow intercept invading organisms and toxins once they reach the blood stream. Please note that there is also a humeral immunity called B cell immunity. B cell immunity utilizes the liver and bone marrow to process and creates antibodies (B cells) for specific antigens. The antibodies are made up from gamma globulin molecules called immunoglobulins, which have molecular weights between 150,000 and 900,000. These immunoglobulins constitute 20 % of all plasma proteins.
They are respectively named:
IgM, IgG, IgA, IgD, and IgE
For a substance to be antigenic, it must have a molecular weight of 8,000 or more.
Antibodies work in two different ways to protect the body. They either directly attack the invading agent, or they activate a complementary system that destroys the invading agent.
Direct action is through the following methods:
1. AGGLUTINATION-when the antigens stick and clump together on the surface of the antibodies
2. PRECIPITATION-when the molecular weight of the antibody and antigen becomes too large precipitates out and is rendered insoluble
3. NEUTRALIZATION-where the antibody covers the toxic site on the antigen
1. LYSIS-is where the antibody attacks the cell membrane of the antigen causing it to rupture
When antibodies work with complementary systems, they attach to antigens and form long antigen-anti-body molecules that are now broken down by a cascade of biochemical reactions. Both humoral and mediated immunity are under the heading of acquired immunity.
According to Dr. Brockman, the primary mineral of the thymus is uranium. The function of uranium is to create a radioactive bond or isotope tracker for all substances that enter the body through all membranes, including the skin. When an invasive substance enters the body, it is directed by magnetic control via uranium.
The body hooks this invasive substance to uranium, which then tracks and targets this compound, directing it to the appropriate area for degradation and/or elimination.
Another function of the thymus, states Brockman, is to extract bioflavonoids from ascorbic acid to create an acid pH on cell membranes, increasing their permeability for toxic disposal. This acts as a membrane resistant factor. If this is improperly handled, you loose acid maintenance and detoxification power. This will now affect the secondary gland of acid maintenance, which is the pancreas via sugar balance. The pancreas now tries to increase blood acidity, causing the alkaline oxidizing enzymes from the head of the pancreas to become more acidic and less potent.

The following tests can be used to assess thymus function:

1. GLOBULIN-since the thymus is used to produce immunoglobulins, globulin is affected by thymus function

2. A/G RATIO-the albumin globulin ratio will also be affected by the thymus’s affect on globulin offsetting this ratio
Albumin is considered the colloidal protein of osmosis since it regulates the flow of substances from the capillaries to the interstitial tissue. Globulin is the colloidal protein of momentum since it transports substances throughout the body, such as hemoglobin. Fibrinogen is considered the colloidal protein of clotting since it regulates the clotting ability of the blood.
When a foreign substance enters the body through the skin via cuts, or through mucous membranes, uranium is sent by the thymus to program the foreign substance. Depending on the foreign substance, whether it is toxic or a pathogen, the thymus, and spleen will help dictate whether there should be a buildup of white blood cells and or breakdown of red blood cells to increase globulin production for thymus or spleen globulin to fight off the infection. Fibrinogen, which is transposed into fibrin via thrombin, will aid in clot formation, helping to wall off the infection. The A/G ratio is also a representation of the fibrinogen content in the blood.

3. TOTAL BILIRUBIN-when globulins are needed to produce immunoglobulins, the body relies on the red blood cells to fulfill this need. Since the blood cells are composed of globulin, iron, biliverdin and bilirubin, they are the perfect source for additional globulins. The spleen and liver hemolyze the red blood cells for the globulin and, at the same time, release bilirubin into the bloodstream, affecting total bilirubin levels.

Bilirubin, Total

TOTAL BILIRUBIN

Bilirubin comes from the breakdown of hemoglobin and is the byproduct of hemolysis. Bilirubin is produced by the RE portion of the liver and is excreted with the bile.
Pathologically elevations in total bilirubin occur when there is a massive amount of destruction of RBC’s, or the liver is congested and unable to excrete bilirubin.

From a physiologic perspective, the components of bile are inositol, choline, lecithin, cholesterol, and bilirubin/biliverdin. Cholesterol, which is produced by the liver, is converted into bile salts via the influence of the adrenal glands.
The bile salts are converted into cholic acid or chenodeoxycholic acid equally. Approximately 60 percent of all cholesterol is converted into these two acids.
These acids then combine with glycine and taurine to form glyco and tauro conjugated bile acids. The salts of these acids are secreted in the bile.
These salts do two things:
1. They act like "soap" creating saponification and emulsification of fat. This decreases the surface tension of the fat allowing agitation to break the fat up into smaller sizes.
2. Bile salts help absorb fatty acids, monoglycerides, cholesterol, and other lipids, by
forming minute complexes called micelles. Micelles are highly soluble, highly charged, and easily absorbed, increasing absorption by 40 percent.
The liver secretes about 600-1,200 milliliters of bile per day.
The purpose of bile is to:
1. Digest, emulsify and absorb fats.
2. To excrete waste products, such as excessive cholesterol, and bilirubin, which is the end product of hemoglobin degradation.
Bilirubin is the predominant pigment of bile, and is formed from hemoglobin, and destroyed red blood cells. The red blood cells are destroyed by the reticulo-endothelial system (liver and spleen), including the kupfer cells of the liver.
If the spleen/liver are hyperactive, the bile production is increased.
This allows the passive function of bile production to elevate.

As the spleen, liver, and bone marrow destroy hemoglobin it passes into the bloodstream with a protein creating a colloidal state. This creates hemolytic jaundice when there is excessive destruction or impaired production of red blood cells, leading to excessive amounts of prehepatic bilirubin.
The liver cells are unable to withdraw the bilirubin from the blood as fast as it is formed. Therefore consequently there is an increase in prehepatic bilirubin (indirect form).
Remember total bilirubin = the direct and indirect forms.
The direct is elevated in biliary obstruction, which is conjugated and reacted on by the liver.
The indirect form is elevated in liver failure, which is unconjugated and not reacted on by the liver.
Since the liver, spleen, adrenals and diet play a role in total bilirubin production from a physiologic perspective we must evaluate those glands as well.