Neutrophils

Description

Neutrophils are a type of small, nimble Granulocyte comprising 65% of total White Blood Cells.  They are formed in, mature in, and are stored in the Bone Marrow and circulate in the bloodstream (but move out of the bloodstream into infected tissues in order to attack Antigens).

Abnormally low numbers of Neutrophils in the circulating Blood are known medically as Neutropaenia; Neuropenia; Neutrophilic Leukopaenia; Neutrophilic Leukopenia; Neutrophilopaenia or Neutrophilopenia.

Abnormally high numbers of Neutrophils in the circulating Blood are known medically as

Neutrophil Leukocytosis or Neutrophilia.

Enzymes

 Neutrophils release Beta-Glucuronidase.

Immune System

 Neutrophils are involved (as a primary defense) in the destruction of Antigens including Bacteria - Detrimental, Viruses and Cancer Cells (by functioning as Phagocytes and releasing Lysozyme as a means of destroying Antigens):

 Serious bacterial infections cause the body to produce higher-than-normal number of Neutrophils.

 Neutrophils are able to function as Phagocytes.

 Neutrophils are the principal component of Pus (the remnant of the Inflammation process).

 Neutrophils produce Interleukin 1 beta.

 Neutrophils generate Superoxide Free Radicals as part of their function as Phagocytes (these Superoxide Free Radicals are part of the body’s arsenal against Antigens).

Skin

 Neutrophils are the first White Blood Cells to reach the site of Wounds (where they initiate the process of phagocytosis by affixing themselves to Antigens (e.g. Bacteria) at the site of the Wound.

Amino Acids

 Carnitine may enhance the function of Neutrophils.  ^[1]

 Glutamine may enhance the ability of Neutrophils to destroy Antigens and to destroy Detrimental Bacteria.  ^[2]

 N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) (600 mg per day) may enhance the function of Neutrophils (it may decrease the production of Superoxide Free Radicals by stimulated Neutrophils and may improve the ability of Neutrophils to function as Phagocytes).  ^[3]