Dietary amino acid-induced systemic lupus erythematosus.
The effects of dietary manipulations on autoimmune disease are understood poorly. In this article, we detail our experience with a human subject who developed autoimmune hemolytic anemia while participating in a research study that required the ingestion of alfalfa seeds. Subsequent experimental studies in primates ingesting alfalfa sprout seeds and L-canavanine (a prominent amino acid constituent of alfalfa) is presented. The results of these studies indicate a potential toxic and immunoregulatory role of L-canavanine in the induction of a systemic lupus-like disease in primates.
Montanaro
A
A
Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland.
Bardana
E J
EJ
D000596:Amino Acids / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000818:Animals; D002172:Canavanine / Q000009:adverse effects; D004032:Diet; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology; D000455:Medicago sativa / Q000009:adverse effects; D011323:Primates
D000596:Amino Acids; D002172:Canavanine