Nervonic acid (NA) is an omega-9 MUFA with a 24-carbon backbone and one double bond (24:1n9). It is a very important fatty acid in the white matter of the brain and is responsible for nerve cell myelin biosynthesis. There are small amounts of NA in cooking fats, vegetable oils and borage oil. It can also be synthesized in the body by elongating oleic acid (which is essentially desaturated stearic acid). NA is essential for the growth and maintenance of the brain and peripheral nervous tissue enriched with sphingomyelin.

Neurofilament proteins, integral to the neuronal cytoskeleton, play a central role in neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, ALS, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease, forming intraneuronal aggregates. Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is released from neurons into the cerebrospinal fluid and is a marker for neurodegeneration across various neurological conditions.

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is an enzyme that is found in the cytoplasm of neurons and neuroendocrine cells. The production of NSE occurs late in neural differentiation, thus making NSE an index of neural maturation.

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a key biomarker predominantly found in neurons and neuroendocrine cells, making it highly valuable for clinical diagnostics and monitoring neurological and neuroendocrine disorders. NSE is a glycolytic enzyme that plays a crucial role in the process of glycolysis, helping to convert glucose into energy. Due to its specificity, elevated levels of NSE in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are often indicative of neuronal damage or neuroendocrine tumors. Clinically, NSE is extensively used as a tumor marker for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and neuroblastoma, where its elevated levels correlate with tumor burden, disease progression, and patient prognosis.

NLR (Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio) is a biomarker that can be used as an indication of subclinical inflammation. NLR is a calculation based on the Absolute Neutrophil Count divided by the Absolute Lymphocyte Count determined by the peripheral blood CBC differential. This calculation, according to recent literature, is useful in assessing the likelihood of severe progression of disease in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients.

O que são neutrófilos?

Os neutrófilos são os glóbulos brancos mais abundantes e essenciais para a defesa imunológica. Eles são produzidos na medula óssea e circulam pelo sangue e tecidos para combater infecções.

Como células fagocíticas, os neutrófilos engolfam e destroem bactérias, vírus e outros invasores nos locais de infecção. Eles também desempenham um papel na resposta inflamatória, ajudando o corpo a reagir a alérgenos e lesões.

Os neutrófilos são transparentes e geralmente esféricos em repouso, mas mudam de forma para combater infecções de maneira eficaz.

O que são neutrófilos?

Os neutrófilos são o tipo mais abundante de glóbulo branco (leucócito) no corpo humano e desempenham um papel crucial no funcionamento do sistema imunológico. Como células fagocíticas, sua principal função é englobar e destruir invasores nocivos, como bactérias e vírus, especialmente no local de uma lesão ou infecção.

Além de combater infecções, os neutrófilos também estão envolvidos na resposta inflamatória do corpo. Eles reagem a alérgenos, lesões ou infecções, liberando enzimas e sinalizando outras células imunológicas, contribuindo para a inflamação — um processo natural que ajuda a proteger e curar o corpo.

Com seu papel duplo na imunidade e na inflamação, os neutrófilos são indispensáveis para a manutenção da saúde geral e para a defesa contra uma ampla gama de patógenos.

Neutrophil Antibody, Flow Cytometry - Neutrophil Antibody has been observed with neonatal alloimmune neutropenia, autoimmune neutropenia, transfusion reactions, and drug-induced neutropenia.

The "Neutrophil Antibody, Flow Cytometry - Neutrophil Antibody" test on a panel from Quest Diagnostics is a specialized diagnostic tool used to detect antibodies that target neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell crucial for our immune defense against infections. Neutrophil antibodies can lead to various conditions, including autoimmune neutropenia—where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys neutrophils, reducing the body's ability to fight off infections. This test is particularly useful in diagnosing immune-related neutropenia, monitoring the severity of the autoimmune response, and guiding treatment decisions in conditions where neutrophil antibodies may be involved.

What Are Neutrophils?

Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells, essential for immune defense. They are produced in the bone marrow and travel through the bloodstream and tissues to combat infections.

As phagocytic cells, neutrophils engulf and destroy bacteria, viruses, and other invaders at infection sites. They also play a role in the inflammatory response, helping the body react to allergens and injuries.

Neutrophils are clear in color and typically spherical when at rest, but they change shape to fight infections effectively.

What Are Neutrophils?

Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell (WBC) in the human body and are critical to your immune system's function. As phagocytic cells, their primary role is to engulf and destroy harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses, especially at the site of an injury or infection.

Beyond their role in combating infections, neutrophils are also involved in the body’s inflammatory response. They respond to allergens, injuries, or infections by releasing enzymes and signaling other immune cells, which contributes to inflammation—a natural process that helps protect and heal the body.

With their dual role in immunity and inflammation, neutrophils are indispensable for maintaining your overall health and defending against a wide range of pathogens.

Synovial fluid analysis includes a differential cell count, which identifies and quantifies the different types of white blood cells present in the fluid. Neutrophils are one of the cell types counted in this differential analysis. It is a critical parameter that aids in the assessment of joint health.

An elevated percentage can signal inflammation or infection within the joint, helping guide diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Used in making metal coins and jewelry, valves and heat exchangers, and stainless steel. Also used for nickel plating, color ceramics, cosmetics, tobacco, and batteries. Can be found in the soil, air, and water. There are also nickel containing foods such as almonds, chick peas, cocoa, tomato, lentils, oats, peanuts, and walnuts.

NUTRIENT INTERACTIONS:

Iron is a competitive inhibitor of nickel absorption, therefore absorption is enhanced with iron deficiency. Vitamin C works as an antioxidant to counter ROS from nickel, and may also inhibit nickel absorption.

Hair is a reasonable tissue for monitoring accumulated body stores of Nickel (Ni). However, hair is OFTEN contaminated with Ni from hair treatments, dyes, and hair products. There is substantial evidence that Ni is an essential element which is required in extremely low amounts. However, excess Ni has been well established to be nephrotoxic, and carcinogenic. Elevated Ni is often found in individuals who work in the electronic and plating, mining, and steel manufacture industries. A cigarette typically contains from 2 to 6 mcg of Ni; Ni is absorbed more efficiently in the lungs (~35%) than in the gastrointestinal tract (~5%).

Urinary nickel (Ni) provides an indication of recent or ongoing exposure to the metal, and endogenous detoxification to a lesser extent. There is substantial evidence that Ni is an essential trace element.

However, excessive assimilation of Ni has been established to be nephrotoxic, and carcinogenic. The general population may be exposed to Ni from ambient air, water and food. With the exception of specific occupational exposures, most absorbed Ni comes from food and beverages, and intakes can vary depending upon geographical location and water supply. Extensive Ni exposure may occur with cigarette
smoking.

Food is the major source of exposure to Ni.

Foods naturally high in Nickel include chocolate, soybeans, nuts, and oatmeal. Individuals may also be exposed to nickel by breathing air, drinking water, or smoking tobacco containing Nickel. Stainless steel and coins contain Nickel. Some jewelry is plated with Nickel or made from Nickel alloys. Patients may be exposed to Nickel in artificial body parts made from Nickel-containing alloys.

The most common harmful health effect of Nickel in humans is an allergic reaction. Approximately 10% to 20% of the population is sensitive to Nickel. The most serious harmful health effects from exposure to Nickel, such as chronic bronchitis, reduced lung function, and cancer of the lung and nasal sinus, have occurred in people who have breathed dust containing certain Nickel compounds while working in Nickel refineries or nickel-processing plants.