The immune system has evolved to protect the host from microbial infection; nevertheless, a breakdown in the immune system often results in infection, cancer, and autoimmune diseases. Multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, myocarditis, thyroiditis, uveitis, systemic lupus erythromatosis, and myasthenia gravis are organ-specific autoimmune diseases that afflict more than 5% of the population worldwide. Although the etiology is not known and a cure is still wanting, the use of herbal and dietary supplements is on the rise in patients with autoimmune diseases, mainly because they are effective, inexpensive, and relatively safe. Curcumin is a polyphenolic compound isolated from the rhizome of the plant Curcuma longa that has traditionally been used for pain and wound-healing. Recent studies have shown that curcumin ameliorates multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease in human or animal models. Curcumin inhibits these autoimmune diseases by regulating inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma and associated JAK-STAT, AP-1, and NF-kappaB signaling pathways in immune cells. Although the beneficial effects of nutraceuticals are traditionally achieved through dietary consumption at low levels for long periods of time, the use of purified active compounds such as curcumin at higher doses for therapeutic purposes needs extreme caution. A precise understanding of effective dose, safe regiment, and mechanism of action is required for the use of curcumin in the treatment of human autoimmune diseases.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this case study was to determine the effects of 15 wk of resistance exercise and creatine (Cr) supplementation on body composition, training volume, peak strength, and complete blood chemistry in a patient with myasthenia gravis (MG). METHODS: The patient was a 26-yr-old man who was taking prednisone and azathioprine for his condition. The patient self-administered 5 g of Cr per day in addition to resistance exercise 3 times per week. Fasting blood samples were obtained and body weight (BW) and fat free mass (FFM; via hydrostatic weighing) were measured before and after training and Cr supplementation. In addition, isokinetic (Cybex II) peak strength for leg extension (LE), leg flexion (LF), and volume load (repetition x mass lifted) for the first and last resistance training session were determined. RESULTS: After Cr supplementation and training, the results demonstrated increases in BW (6.8%), FFM (4.3%), upper body volume load (37.0%), lower body volume load (15.0%), and peak strength for LE (37.0%) and LF (12.5%). Moreover, blood chemistry values remained within normal limits for the duration of the 15-wk study. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that resistance exercise plus Cr supplementation may promote gains in strength and FFM in patients with MG.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture (EA) warming therapy on myasthenia gravis (MG) and effect on IL-4 in the patient. METHODS: Sixty patients with MG were randomly divided into two groups, 30 patients in each group. The observation group were treated with EA warming therapy with Tanzhong (CV 17), Shimen (CV 5), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongwan (CV 12), Yanglingquan (GB 34) selected as main points, and oral administration of Pyridostigmine (90 - 240 mg each day) and Prednisone (30 - 60 mg each day). The control group were treated with oral administration of Pyridostigmine (240-480 mg each day) and Prednisone (60-100 mg each day). Clinical therapeutic effects and serum Interleukin-4 (IL-4) levels before and after treatment were observed. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 93.3% in the observation group, which was better than 70.0% in the control group (P < 0.01); after treatment, the serum IL-4 levels in the two groups significantly decreased (P < 0.01), the decrease of IL-4 in the observation group being significantly better than the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA warming therapy combined with western medicine has a significant therapeutic effect on myasthenia gravis. One of the mechanisms possibly is to restrain specific immune reaction by regulating the level of IL-4.

OBJECTIVE: To observe clinical therapeutic effect of warming needle moxibustion combined with medicine on myasthenia gravis. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-eight patients were treated with warming needle moxibustion combined with oral administration of serial preparations of Zhongjiling and intravenous drip of Jiweiling Injectio for one month. RESULTS: Eighty-one cases were cured, 17 cases were basically cured, 12 cases were markedly effective, 11 cases improved and 7 cases were ineffective, with a total effective rate of 94.5%. CONCLUSION: Warming needle moxibustion combined with oral administration of serial preparations of Zhongjiling and intravenous drip of Jiweiling Injectio has a definite therapeutic effect on myasthenia gravis.