Lysozyme

Lysozyme or muramidase is a protein and enzyme present in tears, saliva and other bodily fluids.

Lysozyme is found in certain types of white blood cells (neutrophils and macrophages.

Function

Lysozyme helps block or restrict the growth of bacteria by damaging their cell walls.

ME/CFS

Maes et al. (2012) found that levels of lysozyme and neopterin were significantly higher in patients with ME/CFS compared to patients with chronic fatigue and healthy controls.

Notable studies

• 2012, Evidence for inflammation and activation of cell-mediated immunity in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS): increased interleukin-1, tumor necrosis factor-α, PMN-elastase, lysozyme and neopterin. - (Abstract)
• 2021, The Reification of the Clinical Diagnosis of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) as an Immune and Oxidative Stress Disorder: Construction of a Data-Driven Nomothethic Network and Exposure of ME/CFS Subgroups - (Full text)

See also

• Neopterin
• Oxidative and nitrosative pathway (O&NS)
• Innate immune system

Learn more

• Lysozyme - Brenner's Encyclopedia of Genetics (2013)

enzyme a substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction.

myalgic encephalomyelitis (M.E.) - A disease often marked by neurological symptoms, but fatigue is sometimes a symptom as well. Some diagnostic criteria distinguish it from chronic fatigue syndrome, while other diagnostic criteria consider it to be a synonym for chronic fatigue syndrome. A defining characteristic of ME is post-exertional malaise (PEM), or post-exertional neuroimmune exhaustion (PENE), which is a notable exacerbation of symptoms brought on by small exertions. PEM can last for days or weeks. Symptoms can include cognitive impairments, muscle pain (myalgia), trouble remaining upright (orthostatic intolerance), sleep abnormalities, and gastro-intestinal impairments, among others. An estimated 25% of those suffering from ME are housebound or bedbound. The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies ME as a neurological disease.

stress Stress can by either physical or psychological, or both. Stress is either 1) a state of emotional or psychological strain or 2) the physical stress (pressure or tension) that a physical object such the human body is placed under, e.g., a stress test is a medical test that monitors the cardiovascular system during strenuous exercise.