159 | id == 159
159 | category_id == 17
159 | category_order == 14
159 | category_name == Respiratory Health
159 | category_color == #C47AC0
159 | slug == PI3-ARDS
159 | title == Could this Enzyme Blocker Protect You From Lung Failure? (PI3)
159 | meta_description == PI3 codes for elafin, an enzyme that helps protect the skin, gut, and lungs from invaders. What is its role in viral infection?
159 | summary == <p><strong>PI3 codes for elafin, an enzyme that helps protect the skin, gut, and lungs from invaders. What is its role in viral infection, and could it protect us from ARDS? Read on to learn more.</strong></p>
159 | overall_score_text == Lung Health Score (based on PI3)
159 | image == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/background/PI3--ARDS-not-axiom.jpg
159 | author_id == 1
159 | author_name == Jasmine Foster
159 | author_title == BSc, BEd
159 | author_order == 36
159 | author_photo == https://sd-selfdecode-assets-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/blog/author-photo/Jasmine.jpg
159 | author_intro == <p><strong>Jasmine received her BS from McGill University and her BEd from Vancouver Island University.</strong></p>    <p>Jasmine loves helping people understand their brains and bodies, a passion that grew out of her dual background in biology and education. From the chem lab to the classroom, everyone has the right to learn and make informed decisions about their health.</p>
159 | reviewer == None
159 | medical_reviewer_id == 11
159 | medical_reviewer_name == Puya Yazdi
159 | medical_reviewer_title == MD
159 | publish_date == 2020
159 | publish_date == 4
159 | publish_date == 17
159 | avg_rating == 5.0
159 | tags_id == 348
159 | tags_name == ARDS
159 | tags_id == 389
159 | tags_name == Elafin
159 | tags_id == 388
159 | tags_name == PI3 Gene
159 | tags_id == 391
159 | tags_name == Protease Inhibitors
159 | tags_id == 350
159 | tags_name == Respiratory Health
159 | tags_id == 336
159 | tags_name == Respiratory Infection
159 | tags_id == 390
159 | tags_name == Trappin-2
159 | permissions_favorite == False
159 | permissions_rate == False
159 | content_article == <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">This article is for informational purposes only. None of the information here should be taken as medical advice. If you suspect you may have any kind of infection, seek medical help immediately. </span></em><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Keep in mind that these results are based on association studies, which are correlative and aren&rsquo;t necessarily causative. In addition, any single genetic variant will typically contribute only a small proportion to the overall risk of the condition, and non-genetic factors play a large role in developing a condition as well. Therefore, just because you have one of these genotypes does not necessarily mean you are at increased risk of developing this condition!</span></em></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">What is PI3?</span></h2> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">PI3 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">codes for a protein called peptidase inhibitor 3 or </span><strong>elafin</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">. Technically speaking, the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">PI3</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene first produces a compound called trappin-2, which is later transformed into elafin. Both trappin-2 and elafin are protease inhibitors, meaning that they block the action of enzymes called proteases [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4587599/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Trappin-2 and elafin are a part of the body&rsquo;s natural defenses against invaders in the skin, lining of the gut, and inside of the lungs. They have mainly been studied for their potential role in gut disorders, including IBD and gluten intolerance; however, genetic association studies have discovered a link with respiratory infections and lung inflammation [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21936832"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29084078"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/04/140407192735.htm"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Elafin appears to play a role in the immune response to viruses. In cell studies, </span><strong>elafin has direct antiviral activity</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">; it is also believed to shield the lungs against dangerous spikes of inflammation [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3700282/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4426794/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Elafin and trappin-2 are both produced by the </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">PI3</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> gene. They help defend the body against pathogens in the skin, gut lining, and inside of the lungs.</span></span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Elafin, Proteases, and Respiratory Infection</span></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some researchers believe that there is a careful balance in the lungs between proteases and protease inhibitors (like elafin). During respiratory infections, this balance may be thrown off [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4426794/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Proteases are produced by pathogens, but also by some of our own white blood cells, most notably neutrophils. During an infection, these neutrophils divide, reproduce, and become much more active. They produce far more proteases than they would while we are healthy, overwhelming our antiproteases [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4426794/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This imbalance of proteases and antiproteases is present in respiratory conditions like COPD, cystic fibrosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4426794/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">What is ARDS?</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ARDS is a progressive, life-threatening condition that may develop from severe cases of respiratory diseases such pneumonia. During ARDS, the lungs no longer work properly because they get filled with fluid leaking from the blood vessels. This leads to labored breathing, insufficient oxygen supply, and eventually organ failure. People with ARDS often need to go on a ventilator, and over 40% of them end up dying [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24364461"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27028393"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3108259/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4267590/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK436002/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Elafin is part of an important balancing act between proteases and protease inhibitors. In respiratory conditions like ARDS, this balance is thrown off as proteases spike.</span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">PI3 Variants &amp; ARDS</span></h2> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One variant of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">PI3 </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">has been associated with increased rates of ARDS in critically ill patients [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2784407/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">At rs2664581, people with the &lsquo;C&rsquo; allele were more likely to develop ARDS than those without it, and people with the &lsquo;CC&rsquo; genotype were more likely to develop ARDS than those with only one &lsquo;C&rsquo; allele [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2784407/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4148037/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There's a theory that people with the 'AA' genotype have elafin that is more efficient or more stable and less elafin may be required to do the same job. However, this is only speculation so far [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4426794/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">The &lsquo;C&rsquo; allele at rs2664581 has been associated with ARDS; this allele could possibly code for a version of elafin which is less stable, making it easier to throw off the protease-antiprotease balance.</span></p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Your PI3 Results for Lung Inflammation</span></h2> <p>*9091292371878936*</p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">SNP Summary and Table</span></h3> <p><strong>PI3 rs2664581</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;A&rsquo; = Normal elafin activity, not associated with lung complications</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">&lsquo;C&rsquo; = Reduced elafin activity, associated with increased rates of lung complications</span></li> </ul> <p>*7906443299796129*</p> <h2><span style="font-weight: 400;">Recommendations to Support Immunity &amp; Lung Health</span></h2> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">You may try the complementary approaches listed below if you and your doctor determine that they could be appropriate for you. Discuss the strategies listed here with your doctor. Remember that none of them should ever be done in place of what your doctor recommends or prescribes.</span></em></p> <p>*4071602094360935*</p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Quit Smoking</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Elafin is believed to protect the lungs against irritants like cigarette smoke. Smokers could require a higher base level of elafin to protect their lungs, which could potentially stress the protease-antiprotease balance and leave less elafin available to fight infections [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26932165"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3121733/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Smoking has been reported to increase the risk of developing ARDS, as this condition may arise as a complication of COPD [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23978096"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether you are concerned about your chances of developing ARDS or not, giving up smoking is always a good idea to improve your overall health.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Cigarette smoke may throw off the protease-antiprotease balance, leading to increased susceptibility to ARDS.</span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Avoid Air Pollution</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">People exposed to airway irritants may have depleted elafin levels and higher risk of respiratory infections. These irritants include:</span></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;">Air pollution<span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4758189/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18005896"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">Dust<span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20935289"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;">Fumes<span style="font-weight: 400;"> [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23489343"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]</span></li> </ul> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Multiple studies have associated long-term exposure to high air pollution levels with increased chances of developing ARDS and dying from it [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29706622"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30926395"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5683074/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400; background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;">Air pollution and other irritants may deplete elafin levels and contribute to respiratory complications such as ARDS.</span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Probiotics</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some types of </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/probiotics-good-bacteria/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">probiotic</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> bacteria, including specially produced strains of </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/l-lactis/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">L. lactis</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, produce elafin of their own. These bacteria are mainly being studied for their potential to reduce gut inflammation, but they may also help shift the protease-antiprotease balance in the lungs [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4371826/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://anr.fr/Project-ANR-12-BSV1-0030"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Probiotic supplements including different species of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Lactobacillus </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">(</span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/l-casei/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">L. casei</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/l-paracasei/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">L. paracasei</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/l-delbrueckii/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">L. delbrueckii</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/l-rhamnosus/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">L. rhamnosus</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://selfhacked.com/blog/health-benefits-l-plantarum/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">L. plantarum</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/l-acidophilus/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">L. acidophilus</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, and </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/l-gasseri/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">L. gasseri</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) and </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Bifidobacterium </span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">(</span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/b-animalis/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">B</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">animalis</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> and </span><a href="http://selfhacked.com/blog/b-bifidum/"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">B. bifidum</span></em></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">) reduced the incidence and duration of respiratory tract infections in multiple studies on both adults [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26821116"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30954261"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/28848330/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5290054/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7112326/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25926507"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26821116"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21504972"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4943997/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16636989"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">] and children [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4979858/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25430686"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4351422/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6597592/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5537784/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26031908"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25841539"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">].</span></p> <p><span style="background-color: #e8ebfc; border-left: 2px solid #4569fa; display: block; padding: 20px;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some probiotic bacteria may produce their own elafin. Specially produced bacterial strains of </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">L. lactis</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> could deliver extra elafin and help reduce respiratory inflammation.</span></span></p> <h3><span style="font-weight: 400;">Drugs</span></h3> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Some researchers are investigating ways to produce different varieties of elafin which are more stable and harder for white blood cells to break down. One day, these new versions of elafin may be available as medication; researchers may even develop a way to safely alter a patient&rsquo;s elafin gene to protect them from respiratory disease [</span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4426794/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, </span><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21936832"><span style="font-weight: 400;">R</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">]!</span></p>
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159 | content_learn_more_7906443299796129_key == 7906443299796129
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159 | content_learn_more_7906443299796129_text == Based on the variants we looked at, your PI3 gene makes you somewhat more likely to develop lung inflammation. However, this doesn't necessarily reflect your overall risk of ARDS, just one gene related to it. Avoiding cigarettes and taking probiotics may help; make sure to follow CDC guidelines to prevent infection.
159 | content_recommendation_4071602094360935_key == 4071602094360935
159 | content_recommendation_4071602094360935_blur == True
159 | content_recommendation_4071602094360935_hidden == False
rsIDs = rs2664581
rsStatus = rs2664581,PI3,chr20,45175881,A,C,,,27,1,HET
