Been reading a lot of cellular level studies the last few days, came across this article and was curious if anyone else has read it or has access to the full thing.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8776576
So, we know that CCSVI alters CSF pathology (according to Zamboni), which is supposedly leading to extravasation of red blood cells due chronic venous insufficiency of the main outflow veins draining the CNS. The effects of this extravasation in the CNS need to be studied but from Chronic Venous Disease in other areas of the body, combined with the evidence of Fibrin Cuffs in CCSVI point to potential iron overload.
Lets jump the fence and talk MS for a second. In MS we know that nerve cells are losing myelin, and the oligodendrocytes that create myelin are dying. I find it interesting that oligodendrocytes are the most iron-laden cells in the CNS, as the iron is necessary for the myelin creating process. I also find it interesting that groups of these oligodendrocytes also group up in the white matter of the brain around veins.....just like MS lesions.
So, if these particular veins are the genesis of the MS lesion, what could the process be? CCSVI causes, over time, endotheleal cell damage through venous hypertension, which in turn cause an iron overload similar to other Chronic Venous Disease. Does it just so happen that this particular area where the BBB damage and iron build-up occurs is the same area of the brain that contains the iron-laden oligodendrocytes?
Interestingly, endotheleal cells and macrophages both create a cytokine called TNFa, Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha, which is a known trigger of oligodendrocyte apoptosis (programmed cell death). Abnormal TNF production is a common factor in many autoimmune diseases. Could it be that the body, in an effort to mediate iron deposition in those areas, is sending necessary things to start the caspase cascading process in oligodendrocyte cells because they are so full of iron?....TNF has been found in MS lesions.
I've been cramming on this stuff for days now, its like the answer is right on the tip of our tongues but we just can't spit it out yet.