An Anti-anti-inflammation Concept

Abstract

THE induction of the inflammatory process has been ascribed to the local release of cellular agents such as histamine, serotonin, or other excitants. Such excitants have been considered as inflammatory agents or, more recently, as mediators of inflammation. A diametrically different perspective of this situation, or the concept of anti-anti-inflammation, is presented here. This concept is based on the hypothesis that the body is in a balanced state between inflammation and anti-inflammation as opposed to the state of absence of inflammation. An increase in local concentration of the excitant could therefore induce an anti-anti-inflammatory condition. Furthermore, a decrease in an anti-inflammatory agent could have as great importance in inducing inflammation as the increase in an anti-anti-inflammatory agent.