| abstract |
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, wherein n i) the phagocytes are neutrophils and the lignan is hydroxymatairesinol or matairesinol or mixtures thereof, or n ii) the phagocytes are cells of myeloid origin and the lignan is enterolactone or hydroxymatairesinol or mixtures thereof, or n iii) the lymphocytes are T-lymphocytes and the lignan is hydroxymatairesinol, matairesinol or enterolactone or mixtures thereof. n Furthermore, this invention concerns a method of treating or preventing an acute ischemia-reperfusion injury or a chronic condition, caused by overactivity of phagocytes or lymphocytes in an individual, said method comprising decreasing the activity of phagocytes in an individual by administering to said individual an effective amount of a lignan. |