inflammation - semester 1

Question 1

Define inflammation

Answer 1

A series of defensive biological reactions to harmful agents that lead to pain, redness,
swelling, heat and loss of function in the affected areas of the body

Question 2

Discuss the inflammatory response and the cells involved in acute inflammation

Answer 2

The acute inflammation process is achieved by the increased movement of plasma and
leukocytes from the blood into the injured tissues
acute inflammatory response;
– Blood vessels near the infected site become more permeable
– Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) are the first cells to arrive at the site
– PMNs release cytokines
– The liver produces C-reactive protein (CRP)
– If the body succeeds in eliminating all the microorganisms, the tissue will heal and
inflammation will cease

Question 3

List and define the 5 cardinal signs of inflammation

Answer 3

1. Heat (calor) - a localized rise in temperature due to an increased amount of
   blood at the site
2. Redness (rubor) - the result of increased blood in the area
3. Swelling (tumor) - the result of accumulation of plasma and leukocytes at the
   site
4. Pain (dolor) - excess fluid in the tissues puts pressure on sensitive nerve endings,
   causing pain
5. Loss of function (functio lasea) - the result of swelling and pain (For example,
   inflammation of a finger would cause you to favor that finger and not use it in a
   normal manner).

Question 4

Discuss the inflammatory cells and chemical mediators associated with chronic
inflammation

Answer 4

– Chronic inflammation is characterized by an accumulation of macrophages
– Macrophages engulf and digest microorganisms
– Leukocytes release inflammatory mediators that perpetuate the inflammatory
response

Chemical mediators are biologically active compounds secreted by cells that activate the
body’s inflammatory response.
Important mediators include
– Interleukins 1, 6 and 8 (IL-1, IL-6, and IL-8)
– Leukotrienes
– Prostaglandins (PGs)
– Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α)

Question 5

Describe the differences between acute and chronic inflammation

Answer 5

Acute inflammation is a short-term, normal process that protects and heals the body.
Chronic inflammation is a long-lived, out-of-control inflammatory response that continues
for more than a few weeks.
acute inflammation; heat, redness, pain, loss function, swelling, innate immunity, ends stimulus/ healing.
chronic inflammation; no symptoms, adaptive immunity, repetitive cycle increase disease.

– Chronic inflammation is a long-lived, out-of-control inflammatory response that
continues for more than a few weeks
– It is a pathological condition that can destroy healthy tissue and cause more damage
than the original problem
– The classic warning signs usually seen in acute inflammation are absent in chronic
inflammation
– The problem may go unnoticed by the host (patient)
– Clinically, pain is often absent

Question 6

examples of chronic inflammation

Answer 6

– Rheumatoid arthritis
– Diabetes
– Asthma
– Gingivitis
– Periodontitis

Question 7

Why does Chronic Inflammation occur?

Answer 7

– Chronic inflammation occurs because the body is unable to rid itself of invading
organism
– The invading microorganisms are persistent and stimulate an exaggerated immune
response
– When inflammation becomes chronic, the inflammatory response can become so
intense that it does permanent damage to the body tissues
– This is the case in periodontitis

Question 8

define inflammatory response

Answer 8

inflammatory response;
1. tissue damage triggers a local increase in blood flow and capillary permeability.
2. permeable capillaries allow the an influx of fluid (exudate) and cells into tissue.
3. phagocytes destroy bacteria
4. phagocytes migrate to the site of the inflammation