METHOD FOR INHIBITING OVERACTIVITY OF PHAGOCYTES OR LYMPHOCYTES IN AN INDIVIDUAL

摘要

This invention relates to a method of inhibiting the overactivity of phagocytes or lymphocytes in an individual by administering to said individual an effective amount of a lignan, whereini) the phagocytes are neutrophils and the lignan is hydroxymatairesinol or matairesinol or mixtures thereof, orii) the phagocytes are cells of myeloid origin and the lignan is enterolactone or hydroxymatairesinol or mixtures thereof, or iii) the lymphocytes are T-lymphocytes and the lignan is hydroxymatairesinol, matairesinol or enterolactone or mixtures thereof.Furthermore, this invention also concerns a method for treating or preventing an acute ischemia-reprefusion or a chronic condition, caused by overactivity of phagocytes or lymphocytes in an individual, said method comprising decreasing the activity of said cells by administering an effective amount of a lignan.