A Modern Scientific
Perspective On Prof. Dr. Enderlein's Concept Of Microbial Life Cycles
Ronald Ullmann, Biochemist, Calw, Germany
In 1925, German zoologist Prof. Dr.
Gunther Enderlein published his concepts of microbial life cycles based on
blood analysis observations in the book The Life Cycle of Bacteria (Bakterien
Cyklogenie) [1]. He theorized that the origin of every microbe was a tiny
protein of plant origin that Enderlein called protits or colloids.
Furthermore, he thought that specific stimuli caused this protein to
polymerize from ball-like structures which he labeled symprotits and
makrosymprotits into spermites, which Enderlein believed was a virus or
prestage of bacteria. From this spermite (viral phase), Enderlein reported
that further development to a bacterium could take place, with final
culmination into the fungi Aspergillus niger or Mucor racemosus.
This paper will report on the molecular identification of so-called
protits, symprotits and macrosymprotits, the initial stages of Enderlein's
proposed life cycle of bacteria. Modern research conducted by Dr.
Christopher Gerner, Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the University of Vienna,
Austria, has shown that these forms are primarily composed of the human
body's own molecules globin and albumin, and do not consist of plant-based
proteins as thought by Enderlein. In addition, Enderlein did indeed
observe some microscopic phenomena that seem to correlate to illness
processes in human blood. However, his model of a life cycle of bacteria
with a protein of plant origin (protit) as the starting point is no longer
viable in light of the presented results. Today's scientific knowledge of
living processes are very precise, but were unknown to Enderlein in 1925.
Taking into account the limited knowledge and scientific techniques
available to Enderlein decades ago, we can better understand how he came
to his erroneous theories.
The Life Of Prof. Dr. Enderlein
Professor Dr. Guenther Enderlein was born in 1872 in Leipzig, located in
eastern Germany. He studied natural science, physics and zoology at the
University of Liepzig and graduated summa cum laude. Following graduation,
Enderlein served as an assistant at the Agricultural University in Berlin.
He married in 1904 and two years later accepted a new position at the
Zoological Museum in Stettin. In 1914, the First World War began and
Enderlein served as a doctor in a German Military Hospital in Stettin.
From 1916-1922, he conducted research on his theory of bacterial life
cycles, and published his findings in a book entitled Bacterien Cyklogenie
(The Life Cycle of Bacteria) in 1925. During that period, he also was the
director at the Zoological Institute and curator at the Berlin Zoological
Museum.
In 1944, Dr. Enderlein founded the microbiological firm IBICA in Berlin.
In 1949, he moved the company's headquarters and production facilities to
Aumuehle, near Hamburg. In 1968, Enderlein died at the age of 96, and in
1975 the equipment of the IBICA company was sold [2].
Background To Enderlein`s Observation In Blood Samples
In 1916, Dr. Enderlein began his investigations of blood under the
microscope. He used techniques available at that time, namely phase
contrast and darkfield microscopy[3]. These methods enabled him to observe
both stained, dried blood and live blood preparations from healthy and
sick animals and humans [4] [5]. During his investigations, Enderlein
observed many morphologies in the blood that he correlated to illnesses
[6].
Enderlein reported seeing ball-like morphologies that he called protits,
symprotits and makrosymprotits, depending on the increase in size [7].
Moreover, he observed string-like structures that he called filits, and
string-like structures with a ball-like morphology on one end that he
named spermites [8] [9].
Ball-like morphologies significantly larger in size than symprotits and
macrosymprotits were called mychit or thecit [10], while Enderlein named
morphologies of many large, ball-like structures assembled in a row basit,
phytit, rhabdit, linit and ascit, depending on the number arrayed [11].
Finally, the German researcher identified highly complex morphological
structures as systases or petoharphen [12].
Enderlein observed these morphologies in the blood of patients suffering
from various illnesses, and was able to correlate different morphologies
to the progress of illnesses [13]. As a result, he concluded that specific
pathogenic structures develop in size and appearance depending on the
progress of a particular illness (Endobiosis) [14]. Enderlein was able to
make these structures microscopically invisible by adding alkaline
solution to the blood preparation, an effect he could not observe by
adding an acidic solution [15]. This made him believe that he was
observing a depolymerization reaction that resembles the reversing of the
postulated upward development [16]. Because the identified structures were
affected by an alkaline solution and not by an acidic solution, Enderlein
concluded that a constant intoxification and high acidic load in the blood
leads to ongoing physiological disturbances that manifests in the
structures he observed in blood preparations.
The so-called mychit, thecit, basit, phytit, rhabdit, linit and ascit
structures are morphologically similar to Syncrotis buccalis or
Sclerothrix tubercolosis bacteria grown in culture when viewed with phase
contrast microscopy [17]. Due to this similarity, Enderlein concluded that
these structures observed in blood preparations were living bacteria [18].
Systase structures are morphologically comparable to fungus like Mucor
racemosus or Aspergillus niger grown in liquid culture [19]. Therefore,
Enterlein further inferred that systase structures observed in the blood
of seriously ill patients are actually the fungi Mucor racemosus and
Aspergillus niger [20]. With this insight as background, it is possible to
understand how Enderlein came to his conclusions.
Isopathic Remedies Developed By Enderlein
In his laboratory, Enderlein was able to reduce the morpological
complexity of Mucor racemosus and Aspergillus niger preparations to
ball-like structures with alkaline solution, much like he was able to do
with systase morphologies in blood preparations [21]. He concluded that
these fungi were the polymerization product of ball-like structures
composed of a specific protein of plant origin, the so-called protit [22].
To understand Enderlein's ideas, it is important to define the term
isopathic. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843), the Father of Homeopathy, coined
the terms homeopathy (Greek for homoion = similar, pathos=suffering or
disease) and isopathy (Greek for iso=same, pathos=suffering or disease).
Homeopathy attempts to restore disrupted functions and life processes of
ill patients by prescribing a diluted substance that provokes symptoms in
a healthy patient, that in large doses, are similar to those exhibited by
the ill patient. Homeopathic remedies are typically herbs or minerals. In
contrast, isopathy is the treatment with the same substance that causes
the illness, such as microbial pathogens or toxins, and additionally
includes highly diluted mircrobes such as gonorrhea, scabies, syphilis or
tubercolosis. Because Enderlein understood his remedies as lower, benign
forms of the fungus Mucor racemosus and Aspergillus niger, he used the
term isopathy to describe the preparations.
Enderlein`s Concepts On The Origin Of Illnesses
While analyzing blood, Enderlein observed that when so-called spermites
interacted with so-called Mychits, the morphological structures
disappeared. [24] During this period of medical progress in the early 20th
Century, the viral (bacteriophage) induced lysis (destruction) of bacteria
recently had been described [25] [26]. As a result, Enderlein hypothesized
that spermites were viruses that infect mychits, which he believed were
bacteria [27] [28]. He further thought that spermites induced the
degradation of bacterial cells (mychit) to smaller units, namely
symprotits and macrosymprotits. Enderlein described this as a sexual
process that leads to the transition from pathogenic bacterial forms to
non-pathogenic protein forms (symprotit, macrosymprotit) and viral forms (spermites)
[29] [30].
From these observations, Enderlein developed the idea that small protein
units (protits and symprotits) from the fungi Mucor racemosus and
Aspergillus niger should be able to induce the downgrading or degradation
of pathologic morphologies that he observed in the blood samples of sick
people [31] [32] [33]. Consequently, Enderlein then produced isopathic
remedies made from Mucor racemosus and Aspergillus niger that he thought
provided the apathogenic structures (protits, symprotits and spermites)
that supposedly could reduce pathogenic complex structures in the blood of
patients suffering from various kinds of illnesses [34].
Therefore, Enderlein thought that all microbes possessed a natural
development cycle that began with microscopically invisible, or very
difficult to view, primitive protein phases (protit, symprotit,
makrosymprotit) [35]. These phases then proceeded to viral forms (spermites)
and bacterial forms (mychit, thecit, basit, phytit, rhabdit, linit and
ascit), and finally culminated in a fungus (Mucor racemosus or Aspergillus
niger) [36] [37]. This proposed upward development from primitive phases
to bacteria to fungus was called probaenogenie or the complex of
endobiosis by Enderlein, and he identified the Endobiont as the primary
cause of disease [38].
To sum up, he proposed that the development started with the most
primitive form, a single protein or protit, which he thought was the
primordial form of life and origin of every living being [39]. Enderlein
also theorized that the unification or polymerization of many protits into
ball-like structures known as symprotits or macrosymprotits led to the
development of the primordial nucleus. Next, reserves of single living
colloids (symprotits) assembled around the nucleus to provide the cell
plasma, enabling the transformation into a cell to occur [40]. The protits
could polymerize in different forms, creating new morphological structures
such as spermite. Finally, as the cellular structures went through an
upward development to more virulent forms due to a change in homeostasis.
Enderlein proposed that the development of the highest forms to be
pathogenic bacteria or fungi, which he believed to be Mucor racemosus or
Aspergillus niger. Enderlein concluded that this upward development
postulated as the life cycle of mircroorganisms is the cause of all forms
of illness [41]. He proposed that the protit or Endobiont is present in
every cell of the human body, and under a specific stimulus will progress
through an upward development to higher pathogenic levels, culminating in
a fungus [42] [43] [44]. He also theorized that this development was
caused mainly by an improper diet that overfed the Endobiont with large
amounts of protein and excessive nutrients [45]. His basic understanding
was that humans do not experience different kinds of illnesses, but one
illness: the upward development of the Endobiont (that leads to endobiosis).
According to the predisposition of the patient, the illness manifests
different symptoms [46]. To heal patients, Enderlein also theorized that
the smallest elements from the life cycle of microbes (protit, symprotit,
macrosymprotit and spermite) are completely apathogenic and useful for
reversing endobiontic disease processes [47]. This represents the main
principle on which he based his isopathic way of treating illnesses.
Blood Analysis According To Enderlein
Enderlein developed a diagnostic tool to examine the different
morphologies observed in the blood of patients that he correlated to the
progress of illnesses or stages of endobiosis [48]. By using darkfield and
phase contrast microscopy, he examined stained, dried blood preparations
and live blood. One sheet used to document blood diagnostics performed at
the IBICA company was entitled Comparative Morphological Blood Analysis
according to Prof. Dr. Guenther Enderlein. It reveals that Enderlein
performed vital and dried blood examinations with darkfield and phase
contrast microscopy, but he also used staining techniques as well. Indeed,
Enderlein only performed darkfield analysis on two specific phases - the
spermite and filit phase. He also looked at many different parameters with
stained preparations (a fact often overlooked by Enderlein proponents who
teach darkfield) and determined the pathogencity of the so-called
Endobiont [48].
A Brief Review Of Scientific Achievement
Looking back, we can classify Enderlein`s research within the advancement
of scientific knowledge and known concepts of his time. It is important to
understand why he developed this theory of life cycles based on his
observations using microscopy.
In 1683, the Dutch researcher von Leeuwenhoek made the first observation
of procaryotes, single cell living organisms such as bacteria. In 1838
Schleiden and Schwann developed the theory that life is based on
morphological units called cells. Until this time, no one had identified
the functional unit of life (the cell). In 1859, Charles Darwin published
his theories about he Origins of Species, and in 1865 the Czech monk
Gregor Mendel proposed his laws of inheritance, although he did not know
about genes or DNA. In 1869, Friedrich Miescher discovered nucleic acids,
but it was not yet known that they were a matter of inheritance.
From 1916 to 1925, Gunther Enderlein developed his theory on the life
cycles of bacteria. At that time, it was not known that humans have DNA
and genes. DNA carries genes and regulates gene expression and is required
to create proteins.
In 1935, Max Delbrock and Otto Hahn discovered that mutations are caused
by changes of molecules. This was a tremendous discovery because it
provided a deeper understanding of the laws of heredity. In 1944, Oswald
Avery proposed that genes consist of DNA. In addition, the German
scientist Erwin Schrdinger in 1944 made a theoretical deduction of the
genetic code, explaining that it consisted of 3 bases that code in
different composition the 20 amino acids required by the human body.
In 1950, Erwin Chargaff discovered that nucleotides in the DNA occur in
pairs. In 1953, the German scientist Friedrich Sanger did the first
complete sequencing of the protein insulin. About the same time, James
Watson and Francis Crick proposed a model of the structure of DNA, which
enabled scientists to understand how cells can divide and multiply the
genetic information.
As previously mentioned, Gnther Enderlein published his theory in 1925. At
that time, the scientific community believed that proteins were the basic
unit of all living beings and the basis of heredity. Until 1959, it was
not known that DNA actually is a matter of heredity, and that DNA
transcribed RNA is the template for the more than 25,000 proteins of a
human cell. Therefore, Enderlein did not know about DNA and genetic
information, and did not take it into account in his theory.
In 1961, Francis Jakob and Jaques Monod discovered that molecular switches
exist on DNA, which means that genes expressed as proteins are tightly
regulated. In 1970, the age of genetic technology began and it took only
three years until the first genetically altered bacteria was created. In
1975, A.M. Maxam, Walter Gilbert and Friedrich Sanger developed a rapid
sequencing technique for long strands of DNA, and seven years later the
first genetically produced medication, insulin, was completed. In 1990,
science marked the official start of the human genome project, and in
1997, the first eucaryote, a sheep named Dolly, was cloned. In 2000, the
first human genome project was completed [49] [50].
How were these rapid advances possible? The answer is that science
strongly depends on the techniques available at the time. Better
techniques provide more complex ways to look into the human body. For
example, science knows today that humans have a 99 percent similarity to
mice and human apes. However, the regulation and expression of genes makes
a person look different than a mouse or an ape. The secret of life is not
only located in the DNA but mainly the Proteom, the proteins made from the
genes. How these proteins are made is regulated by other proteins.
Therefore, DNA is required to create proteins, and proteins are required
to produce DNA. Certainly, a mouse is similar to a human because it has
blood vessels, a heart, a liver, a stomach, eyes and bones. Yet what makes
the two species completely different is the arrangement and expression of
the genes on the DNA. The secret of being human, therefore, is not in the
1 percent difference, but in the regulation of DNA and synthesis of
proteins [49] [50].
Comparative Morphological Research Performed In Early 20th Century
But how did scientists perform research in 1925 when Enderlein published
his theories? Due to lack of scientific knowledge and lack of
sophisticated modern techniques, it was not possible at that time to
determine biological molecules such as proteins and DNA on a molecular
level. It was commonly accepted in the scientific community that if
something appeared the same it was the same (comparative morphological
research) [51]. Because of this Enderlein related his observations in
blood preparations to microorganisms due to the similarities in morphology
[51]. Today, highly sensitive and sophisticated methods are available to
rapidly determine whether objects that morphologically look similar are
identical or not. DNA or RNA sequences are determined or specific proteins
are identified to conclude similarity.
The Prerequisites For Reproductive Life
Creating life requires biomolecules that include proteins, carbohydrates,
lipids, nucleic acids and low molecular weight substances [52]. The
building blocks of proteins are amino acids, required to create [53]
structural proteins such as collagen or microtubules for the cytoskeleton.
In addition, human beings have:
- regulatory proteins
such as growth hormones;
- transport proteins
such as hemoglobin or myoglobin that carry oxygen and carbon dioxide;
- enzymes like pepsin
and trypsin in the stomach & intestines;
- membrane proteins that
include receptors;
- protective proteins as
antibodies and the complement system.
Science also has identified the building blocks of carbohydrates as sugars,
such as glucose and fructose, needed for energy synthesis, Importantly, ATP
(adenosine triphosphate) is the general currency of energy for all living
organisms. In the human body, ATP is hydrolyzed to ADP (adenosine
diphosphate), which provides energy for walking, thinking, hearing, seeing
and other functions. If a person did not recycle ATP, then the body would
need to produce 74 kg of this substance per day. Humans also need
carbohydrates for energy storage in glycogen, which is stored in the liver
and muscles [54].
The building blocks of lipids are fatty acids, glycerol and several other
molecules. Lipids are required for biomembranes. Every living organism is
composed of cells, which is surrounded by a membrane comprised of lipids and
proteins [55] [56].
Moreover, nucleic acids are needed for DNA, the storage of genetic
information, and for transferring genetic information to RNA, from which the
information is taken to make a protein. The building blocks for nucleic
acids are nucleotides [57].
Finally, low molecular weight substances are required, which include trace
elements, minerals and vitamins [58].
The Synthesis of Proteins
Enderlein proposed a protein of plant origin (protit) that can multiply by
itself. But how are proteins created? Biosynthesis of proteins occurs in all
living organisms. This means that DNA is transcribed by proteins to RNA,
which codes for amino acids assembled in proteins. The amino acids are put
together step by step to form a poly-peptide chain consisting of many of the
20 amino acids required in the human body. Finally, the protein grows to a
three-dimensional structure and develops its function [59]. In contrast to
Enderlein`s theory [60], modern research has shown that no protein exists
that can multiply by itself.
The Prion Perspective
What about Prions, which are classified as protein diseases? Science knows
that if infected cattle brain is fed to sheep, the animals will develop
Scrapie, which is related to Mad Cow Disease. It also is known that the
protein in the normal physiological stage forms an alpha-helix. In Prion
disease, the protein changes configuration to the so-called beta-sheet,
enabling them to stick together and precipitate in the brain, which causes
the cells to die, creating large holes in the brain.
Do all the hazardous proteins all come from the infected cattle brain eaten
by the sheep? The answer is no. The infected protein that was eaten may
induce a change in configuration from alpha helix to beta sheet,
transforming the endogenous protein into a toxic one. The ingested prions
are sufficient to trigger this pathogenic process [61]. Importantly, the
protein does not multiply by itself.
Theory Of The Transition From Virus To Bacterium To Fungus
Enderlein`s life cycle concept asserted that microbes could transform from a
virus to a bacterium to a fungus. Modern knowledge of cell structure and
composition shows that this progression is impossible.
For example, a T bacteriophage is a protein coat with a single strand of
DNA. A virus by itself cannot multiply. It infects a cell, incorporating its
own little amount of DNA into the host chromosome, and recruits the host
protein machinery to make new viruses [62].
The much higher developed organisms of bacteria, such as Bacillus subtilis,
possess a plasma membrane, cell wall and circular chromosome within the cell
plasma, but no organelles. All metabolic processes occur in the cell plasma
[63]. Finally, fungi such as the yeast S.cerevisiae already have cell
organelles, including a nucleus and compartments where different metabolic
processes take place. Each compartment is separated from the others by
membranes. [64].
Consequently, the number of genes coding for specific proteins also vary
greatly. The genome of viruses comprise 5 to 250 genes [65], the bacteria
Bacillus subtilis has 4,100 genes [66] and the yeast S. cerevisiae contains
6,000 genes [67].
As a result, a spontanous transition from virus to bacteria to a fungus is
simply not possible. This progression took billions of years of evolution,
with the concomitant formation of a huge number of other species.
Nevertheless, based on the research of his day, it is understandable how
Enderlein came to his conclusions. Knowledge changes so rapidly that a
hypothesis made today can be verified or falsified within months or few
years. Science uses a background of knowledge to interpret events. However,
any conclusion depends on precise experiments being conducted. It is vitally
important to get correct results to gain new knowledge. Of course, after
more than 75 years, scientific knowledge is very different from what was
known during Enderlein's days.
Use Of Modern Proteom Research To Identify Enderlein
Darkfield Bodies/Protits
New technologies enable scientists to conclude whether structures viewed in
the human blood are of foreign origin or not. Today, DNA and proteins can
rapidly be identified. The determined DNA sequence or the identified protein
delivers conclusive information on the origin and nature of the structures
viewed in human blood.
Experimental Approach
What is the modern scientific hypothesis on Enderlein's so-called protits or
Darkfield Bodies?
If protits are unknown living organisms, they should:
1) grow and multiply in a nutrient-rich media of
human blood;
2) contain biomolecules such as proteins, membrane lipids, carbohydrates and
DNA; and
3) build up their own proteins by degrading host proteins to amino acids.
If protits are not living organisms, they could be:
4) unspecific protein aggregations due to de-naturing processes or protease
activities. Only if a protein has the proper structure can it develop its
proper biological function. If the proper structure is disturbed, it is
known that proteins coagulate and then precipitate;
5) a specific polymerization of one or more host proteins, not foreign
proteins.
To distinguish between these five possibilities, Proteom research was
conducted by Christopher Gerner, Ph.D. in Biochemistry at the University of
Vienna, Austria. Proteom research represents the most modern, scientific
approach presently available to examine proteins, and enables the observer
to identify different metabolic conditions by looking at the concentration
of proteins.
According to the five hypotheses, the following three Proteom research
results can be expected:
1) The protein pattern gained by high resolution Two- dimensional Gel
Electrophoresis P which allows proteins to be separated by charge and size P
will look completely different in comparison to the control sample (starting
material = freshly made preparation). If new protein spots appear after
cultivation that cannot be detected in the freshly made preparation, this
strongly argues for the growth of an unknown organism that metabolizes the
host's own protein to amino acids. This organism in turn uses these amino
acids to produce its own protein.
2) The protein pattern shows an increase in intensity and new proteins,
specifically in the low molecular weight range, during cultivation. This can
be best explained by degradation of proteins by proteases present in the
preparation. This would argue for Darkfield Bodies being unspecific protein
aggregation.
3) The protein pattern shows a significant gain in one or multiple protein
spots. This would argue for a specific polymerization of body-own proteins.
As a result, it is possible to distinguish whether or not growth or
reproduction is taking place.
Methods
The protein samples were loaded onto a matrix capable of separating
different proteins according to their size and charge via Two-dimensional
Gel Electrophoresis. After staining, the matrix was scanned into a computer,
which automatically compared it to scientific databases that provided
information on which proteins spots were known, which were new, and which
gained or lost intensity.
In Two-dimensional Gel Electrophoresis, the protein in the first dimension
is separated by charge. Dependent on its charge, a protein moves to a
specific position. The second dimension separates the proteins by size. For
example, if different proteins are in the same position in the first
dimension, they can be separated according to their size in the second
dimension.
Results
To distinguish between the five postulated hypotheses, Darkfield Bodies were
cultured from human blood according to the method developed by Dr.
Winkelstrter
[69]. These Darkfield Bodies, which Enderlein
called macrosymprotits or symprotits, morphologically compare to the ones
observed in native blood.
Blood from tumor patients andcontrol patients was treated according to the
Winkelstrter protocol and the Darkfield Bodies were cultured at
0(degrees)C!. One sample was taken from the freshly made preparation, a
second sample after one day, and a third after three days of culture.
After one day, many tiny protein spots resembling Darkfield Bodies could be
seen when viewed by phase contrast microscopy (Figure 1 b). After three days
of cultivation, the spots that were morphologically idetified as so-called
symprotits gained in mass (Figure 1 c) [69]. It appeared clearly that
something was growing or increasing in size from tiny spots up to larger
spots. To distinguish between a living organism and protein aggregation, all
the samples were examined by high-resolution Two-dimensional Gel
Electrophoresis to compare the protein pattern of cultured samples taken
after one and three days.
Figure 2 shows the comparison of the two-dimensional protein patterns of the
starting material to the cultured Darkfield Bodies. Picture a shows the
starting material, whereas pictures b and c show cultured Darkfield Bodies
before and after purification. The cultured Darkfield Bodies (Figure 2,
picture b) show a similar protein pattern to the starting material (Figure
2, picture a). The serum protein albumin is very dominant. It is known that
albumin is highly soluble with a great affinity to proteins. To eliminate
albumin from unsoluble Darkfield Bodies, purification steps were performed.
The cultivated Darkfield Bodies were purified with detergents (Sodiumdodecylsulfate,
Tween 40), as well as high and low salt buffers. Under these conditions,
plasma membranes would dissolve readily. Phase contrast microscopy revealed
that the purification had no influence on the morphology of the Darkfield
Bodies. This indicates that the Darkfield Bodies are not living organisms
because of the lack of a plasma membrane. Figure 2, picture c reveals that
albumin could be separated from the cultivated Darkfield preparation. This
indicates that albumin most probably binds to the surface of Darkfield
Bodies. In addition, the protein spot of globin significantly increased in
size (larger spot) in comparison to the unpurified Darkfield Bodies, showing
that Darkfield Bodies are specific polymerization products primarily
composed of the body's own molecules globin and albumin [69].
If protits and symprotits are a specific aggregation of globin, then it
should be possible to stain these structures with an antibody that
specifically recognizes globin. To investigate this possibility,
immunofluorescent staining experiments were performed. Darkfield Bodies
specifically stained positive with globin antibodies [70]. This provided
final proof that globin is the primary constituent part of Darkfield Bodies.
In addition, the Darkfield Bodies did not stain DNA positive [69].
Discussion
Now that Proteom research has proven that symprotits and macrosymprotits are
actually clusters of globin, it is
important to explain the source of this globin.
To maintain proper homeostasis, old and damaged erythrocytes are selectively
removed from the bloodstream by spleen and liver cells, which recognize a
change in shape (comformation) of a membrane receptor (band 3 protein) on
the red cells. This process is caused by oxidative damage to hemoglobin. The
red blood cells are forced through capillaries, causing mechanical stress
because the diameter of capillaries is smaller than the diameter of a red
blood cell. A constant rearrangement of the plasma membrane and protein
skeleton takes place within the cell. If the cell is oxidatively damaged, it
cannot rearrange the plasma membrane rapidly enough to meet these conditions
This mechanical stress causes cell lysis to occur. Consequently, hemoglobin
is set free in the sera (Figure 3, a).
As hemoglobin is released, the serum protein haptoglobin specifically binds
to hemoglobin and transports it to the liver, where it is degraded. The
haptoglobin is then recycled to the sera in a rapid process so that it can
collect more hemoglobin (physiologic protection mechanism) (Figure 3, c).
As erythrocytes undergo cell lysis, iron is easily oxidized by serum
components. When iron within the hemoglobin is oxidized, it turns from a 2+
to a 3+ charge by giving up one electron (Figure 3, d). In addition, iron in
hemoglobin can be oxidized through damage caused by processes that occur
within the red blood cells (Figure 3, b). This finally leads to destruction
of the cell, unless the spleen eliminates it beforehand. As a consequence,
oxidized iron is released into the sera. If the iron is oxidized to the 3+
stage, then the three-dimensional shape of the hemoglobin is changed.
Hemichrom (the part containing iron) dissociates from globin (protein part),
which then readily undergoes polymerization.
In the sera, a second protein called hemopexin binds to the oxidized iron
and transports it to liver cells that remove it from the bloodstream. In
contrast to haptoglobin, hemopexin occurs in low concentration in the serum
(Figure 3, e). As a result, the oxidized iron can be incorporated into the
plasma membranes of healthy red blood cells. This process causes oxidative
damage that affects plasma membrane stability (Figure 3, f and b) [71] [72],
and oxidizes hemoglobin that polymerizes to the so-called Darkfield Bodies (globin
polymers, Heinz Bodies) (Figure 3, g).
If the body's protection mechanisms (spleen, haptoglobin, hemopexin) are
saturated P where the amount of damaged erythrocytes exceeds the body's
degradation mechanisms P so-called Darkfield Bodies can be observed in the
patient's blood. As this process continues, more and more protein parts (globin
and albumin) bind together, leading to increased amounts of globin/albumin
protein clusters (Figure 3, b, g and f). These structures are the so-called
Enderlein symprotits and macrosymprotits.
Summary
Enderlein observed morphologies in the blood of patients that do exist and
may correlate to pathological processes. However, today we know that the
theories he postulated no longer hold true in light of modern scientific
knowledge. Although many questions remain open on the cause of illnesses and
the molecular mechanisms that enable and regulate life, science knows the
precise prerequisites for organisms to exist and multiply. In addition, it
is possible to categorize living organisms into species. It is known that
pleomorphic alterations within species may occur. But these pleomorphic
alterations do not represent the development of new species; rather, they
are encoded by genes within any individium of a species, and take place in a
highly regulated manner.
In conclusion, the so-called endobiontic infestation of erythrocytes and
serum are aggregation of globin and albumin, due to oxidative damage and
other stress factors.
Footnotes
[1] Enderlein G., (1925), Bakterien-Cyclogenie, Verlag de Gruyter & Co
Berlin
[2] Enby E., Gosch P., Sheehan M., (1990), Hidden Killers, page 204
[3] Enderlein G., (1955), Akmon Band I, page 104
[4] Enderlein G., (1955), Akmon Band I, page 71
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Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Dr. Christopher Gerner for his scientific work and for
permitting use of the pictures in Figures 1 and 2. Special thanks also to
Peter Gosch and Mike Sheehan, co-authors of Hidden Killers, for their expert
advise in preparing this manuscript. Finally, special thanks to my daughter
Jana Patricia for making life really exciting while my colleagues and I
research cell molecules that carry out the program of activities encoded by
genes.
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