Nervonic acid (NA) is an omega-9 MUFA with a 24-carbon backbone and one double bond (24:1n9). It is a very important fatty acid in the white matter of the brain and is responsible for nerve cell myelin biosynthesis. There are small amounts of NA in cooking fats, vegetable oils and borage oil. It can also be synthesized in the body by elongating oleic acid (which is essentially desaturated stearic acid). NA is essential for the growth and maintenance of the brain and peripheral nervous tissue enriched with sphingomyelin.

Neurofilament proteins are vital structural components of nerve cells, helping to maintain their shape and function. Of these, neurofilament light chain (NfL) has emerged as a clinically important biomarker. When neurons are damaged or undergoing degeneration, NfL is released into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood, where it can be measured. Elevated NfL levels are a highly sensitive indicator of neuroaxonal injury, though it is important to note that NfL is not specific to any single disease—it reflects neuronal damage from a variety of causes.

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is an enzyme that is found in the cytoplasm of neurons and neuroendocrine cells. The production of NSE occurs late in neural differentiation, thus making NSE an index of neural maturation.

Neuron-specific enolase (NSE) is a key biomarker predominantly found in neurons and neuroendocrine cells, making it highly valuable for clinical diagnostics and monitoring neurological and neuroendocrine disorders. NSE is a glycolytic enzyme that plays a crucial role in the process of glycolysis, helping to convert glucose into energy. Due to its specificity, elevated levels of NSE in the blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are often indicative of neuronal damage or neuroendocrine tumors. Clinically, NSE is extensively used as a tumor marker for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and neuroblastoma, where its elevated levels correlate with tumor burden, disease progression, and patient prognosis.

NLR (Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio) is a biomarker that can be used as an indication of subclinical inflammation. NLR is a calculation based on the Absolute Neutrophil Count divided by the Absolute Lymphocyte Count determined by the peripheral blood CBC differential. This calculation, according to recent literature, is useful in assessing the likelihood of severe progression of disease in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients.

O que são neutrófilos?

Os neutrófilos são os glóbulos brancos mais abundantes e essenciais para a defesa imunológica. Eles são produzidos na medula óssea e circulam pelo sangue e tecidos para combater infecções.

Como células fagocíticas, os neutrófilos engolfam e destroem bactérias, vírus e outros invasores nos locais de infecção. Eles também desempenham um papel na resposta inflamatória, ajudando o corpo a reagir a alérgenos e lesões.

Os neutrófilos são transparentes e geralmente esféricos em repouso, mas mudam de forma para combater infecções de maneira eficaz.

O que são neutrófilos?

Os neutrófilos são o tipo mais abundante de glóbulo branco (leucócito) no corpo humano e desempenham um papel crucial no funcionamento do sistema imunológico. Como células fagocíticas, sua principal função é englobar e destruir invasores nocivos, como bactérias e vírus, especialmente no local de uma lesão ou infecção.

Além de combater infecções, os neutrófilos também estão envolvidos na resposta inflamatória do corpo. Eles reagem a alérgenos, lesões ou infecções, liberando enzimas e sinalizando outras células imunológicas, contribuindo para a inflamação — um processo natural que ajuda a proteger e curar o corpo.

Com seu papel duplo na imunidade e na inflamação, os neutrófilos são indispensáveis para a manutenção da saúde geral e para a defesa contra uma ampla gama de patógenos.

Neutrophil Antibody, Flow Cytometry - Neutrophil Antibody has been observed with neonatal alloimmune neutropenia, autoimmune neutropenia, transfusion reactions, and drug-induced neutropenia.

The "Neutrophil Antibody, Flow Cytometry - Neutrophil Antibody" test on a panel from Quest Diagnostics is a specialized diagnostic tool used to detect antibodies that target neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell crucial for our immune defense against infections. Neutrophil antibodies can lead to various conditions, including autoimmune neutropenia—where the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys neutrophils, reducing the body's ability to fight off infections. This test is particularly useful in diagnosing immune-related neutropenia, monitoring the severity of the autoimmune response, and guiding treatment decisions in conditions where neutrophil antibodies may be involved.

What Are Neutrophils?

Neutrophils are the most abundant white blood cells, essential for immune defense. They are produced in the bone marrow and travel through the bloodstream and tissues to combat infections.

As phagocytic cells, neutrophils engulf and destroy bacteria, viruses, and other invaders at infection sites. They also play a role in the inflammatory response, helping the body react to allergens and injuries.

Neutrophils are clear in color and typically spherical when at rest, but they change shape to fight infections effectively.

What Are Neutrophils?

Neutrophils are the most abundant type of white blood cell (WBC) in the human body and are critical to your immune system's function. As phagocytic cells, their primary role is to engulf and destroy harmful invaders like bacteria and viruses, especially at the site of an injury or infection.

Beyond their role in combating infections, neutrophils are also involved in the body’s inflammatory response. They respond to allergens, injuries, or infections by releasing enzymes and signaling other immune cells, which contributes to inflammation—a natural process that helps protect and heal the body.

With their dual role in immunity and inflammation, neutrophils are indispensable for maintaining your overall health and defending against a wide range of pathogens.

Synovial fluid analysis includes a differential cell count, which identifies and quantifies the different types of white blood cells present in the fluid. Neutrophils are one of the cell types counted in this differential analysis. It is a critical parameter that aids in the assessment of joint health.

An elevated percentage can signal inflammation or infection within the joint, helping guide diagnosis and treatment decisions.

Fecal nickel (Ni) provides an estimate of very recent or ongoing oral exposure to the element. One to 10% of dietary Ni is be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract into the blood; that which is not absorbed is excreted in the feces. Nickel is present to a minor extent in most dietary items and food is considered to be a major source of nickel exposure for the general population.

There is substantial evidence that Ni is an essential trace element which may be required in extremely low amounts. However, excessive assimilation of Ni has been well established to be nephrotoxic, and carcinogenic. With the exception of specific occupational exposures, most absorbed nickel comes from food and beverages, and intakes can vary due to a multitude of factors depending upon geographical
location and water supply.

Deficiency of nickel is associated with poor growth and reproductive dysfunction. Nickel has been shown to work in a cooperative way with calcium, iron, and zinc. Chronic exposure to some forms of nickel via inhalation is carcinogenic. Mucosal tissue irritation associated with nickel can manifest as asthma, rhinitis and sinusitis. Pulmonary inflammation may arise after breathing in nickel in the form of dust or smoke. Nickel toxicity may result in liver necrosis or carcinoma. Hypersensitivity reactions may occur with chronic nickel exposure.

Dermatitis is also associated with nickel worn as jewelry. Other sources of nickel include stainless steel, tobacco smoke, industrial exhaust fumes, batteries, as well as electronic and plating and mining industries. Urine and plasma have been used for assessing nickel exposure, although only acute exposure is revealed because nickel is rapidly cleared from blood.

Nickel is a naturally occurring metal found in air, water, soil, and many everyday items—including stainless steel, batteries, coins, pigments, jewelry, cosmetics, kitchenware, and certain foods such as chocolate, nuts, seeds, legumes, and grains. It is also present in cigarette smoke and industrial products.

The body requires only trace amounts of nickel for enzyme activity, but excess exposure can be toxic and may accumulate in tissues over time. A urine nickel test measures recent or ongoing exposure to this heavy metal.

A moderate level of nickel in urine suggests recent or ongoing exposure above background levels, but not in the high or toxic range. This may reflect regular contact with nickel-containing items (such as jewelry, coins, stainless steel cookware, or cosmetics), dietary intake from foods naturally higher in nickel (like chocolate, nuts, or legumes), or environmental/workplace exposure from welding, batteries, or metal production.

While moderate results are not usually a cause for alarm, they indicate that nickel is contributing to your toxic burden and could play a role in symptoms such as skin rashes, fatigue, headaches, or mild respiratory irritation. Over time, continued moderate exposure may increase the risk of allergic reactions, organ stress, or chronic health effects.

Key takeaway: A moderate result signals that your body is processing more nickel than usual. Identifying and reducing everyday or occupational sources—while supporting detoxification through hydration, a balanced diet, and avoiding unnecessary contact—can help bring levels back toward the optimal range.