Sweat Produces Germ Fighter
New study findings suggest that the sweat excretion may be a lifesaver. It seems that sweat contains a potent germ-fighting agent that may lend a hand in fighting off infections. A group of German researchers have isolated the gene responsible for the compound.
Dr. Birgit Schittek of Eberhard-Karls University in Tubingen, Germany, and colleagues dubbed the gene--and the protein it produces--dermicidin.
“Dermicidin can probably limit an infection very early,'' said Schittek.
“Sweating is in this way a first line of defense against infectious agents'' the researcher added.
German scientists reported that dermicidin is manufactured in the body's sweat glands, secreted into the sweat and transported to the surface of the skin and they confirm that dermicidin is active against many different types of bacteria and it
May help to limit infection by potential pathogens in the first few hours following bacterial colonization
“This is the first antimicrobial (agent) found which is produced by cells in the human skin and which is permanently produced--this means that it provides a constant protection against invading microorganisms,'' Schittek said.
The investigators found that dermicidin was active against many different types of bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis, which are normal inhabitants of the intestines that can infect wounds or contaminate food, as well as Staphylococcus aureus (a common cause of skin infections), and Candida albicans (a fungus that is another cause of infections).
“The findings indicate that human sweat contains at least one antimicrobial protein, which may play a role in the regulation of human skin (microbes)'' said Schittek.
Sweat and tears drive bugs apart
Another group of Scientists found that a protein called lactoferrin in tears, mucus and human milk stops bacteria getting together.
Pradeep Singh and his colleagues of the University of Iowa in Iowa City stated that the protein may help to keep healthy lungs and orifices biofilm-free. "Every vulnerable human surface: lactoferrin is there “Added Singh.
On glass slides the team grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which thrives in the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis. Left alone, the bacteria multiplied into pillars containing millions of bacteria within a week but when researchers used lactoferrin multiplication stopped.
"It's an exciting idea," says Tomas Ganz, who studies microbe defense at the University of California in Los Angeles. Although lactoferrin was known to fight infection, it was unclear why secretions contain such high levels of it.
The protein mops up traces of iron, explains Ganz, depriving bacteria of an essential nutrient. Faced with a shortage, they will "leave the biofilm - and go in search of greener pastures", he says.
Singh added that bacteria treated with just one-tenth as much lactoferrin as there is in lung sputum appear to go looking for more fertile ground: "They meandered aimlessly around the surface," he said.
Treated with lactoferrin (top) bacteria do not form the harmful biofilms (bottom)
The effect of lactoferrin on bacteria offers a new way to eliminate persistent biofilm infections: by starving them. "Maybe the weak spot of biofilms is restricting their nutrients," says Ganz. Until now, many studies have focused on blocking the chemical signals that colony bacteria use to communicate.
Also, scientists found that medical implants or wounds might be sprayed with lactoferrin or another drug that soaks up ironto prevent biofilms forming. And cystic-fibrosis patients might inhale such a drug.
Allah Almighty gave us uncountable number of blessings
Allah tells people that His Blessings are uncountable as He says: (and if you count the Blessings of Allah, never will you be able to count them. Verily! Man is indeed an extreme wrong-doer, - a disbeliever (an extreme ingrate, denies Allah's Blessings by disbelief, and by worshipping others besides Allah, and by disobeying Allah and His Prophet Muhammad)){Sûrat Ibrâhîm -Abraham -verse34}.
Indeed, we can’t count these blessings because scientists and researchers day after day show us many new benefits for many liquids, organs and cells of our bodythatworkswithout we know anything about these benefits.
Tears, sweat and mucus are for our benefit as if the skin is exploited to us. So we can understand the holy verse as Allah Almighty says: (And has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all as a favour and kindness from Him. Verily, in it are signs for a people who think deeply.)
[Sûrat Al-Jâthiyah-The Kneeling -verse 13}.
Hence, we see that all of these blessings were exploited to serve us, don’t we be wise and rational and obey the creator in all of His orders and be away of His prohibitive orders?
Do you know that this skin which is exploited to serve us in this life will be our enemy in day of resurrection as Allah Almighty says: (And (remember) the Day that the enemies of Allah will be gathered to the Fire, so they will be collected there (the first and the last)*Till, when they reach it (Hell-fire), their hearing (ears) and their eyes, and their skins will testify against them as to what they used to do*And they will say to their skins, "Why do you testify against us?" They will say: "Allah has caused us to speak, as He causes all things to speak, and He created you the first time, and to Him you are made to return*And you have not been hiding against yourselves, lest your ears, and your eyes, and your skins testify against you, but you thought that Allah knew not much of what you were doing*And that thought of yours which you thought about your Lord, has brought you to destruction, and you have become (this Day) of those utterly lost!*Then, if they have patience, yet the Fire will be a home for them, and if they beg for to be excused, yet they are not of those who will ever be excused){Sûrat Fussilat-They are Explained in detail-verse 19-24}.
Also, Allah Almighty tells us about another scene when disbelievers and atheists arein the fire as He Almighty says: (Surely! Those who disbelieved in Our Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) We shall burn them in Fire. As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for other skins that they may taste the punishment. Truly, Allah is Ever Most Powerful, All­Wise.){Sûrat An-Nisâ’-The Women –verse 56}. But on the other side Allah tells us about believers who are in the heaven: (And whosoever believes in Allah and performs righteous good deeds, He will remit from him his sins, and will admit him to Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) to dwell therein forever, that will be the great success.){Sûrat At-Taghâbun-Mutual Loss and Gain –verse 9}.
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By: Abduldaem Al-Kaheel
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