The theory of endobiogeny: biological modeling using downstream physiologic output as inference of upstream global system regulation

1. Introduction

The notion of complex systems is ancient. However, complexity, interrelatedness and coherence were largely expressed in philosophical terms [2]. For example, stoic philosopher, Emperor Marcus Aurelius (d.180) observed that animals had “an increasing tendency to unity which does not exist in plants or stones” [3]. Among ancient scientists and physicians, observations of complexity were limited to qualitative and empirical statements. Physician-philosopher Sextus Empiricus (d.210 CE) observed that “unified bodies are such as are controlled by a single hexis (an integral and integrating force of regulation)…(so that) when the finger is cut, the whole body shares in its condition” [4]. Four developments allowed for quantitative evaluation of complex living systems. The first is experimental physiology. From the pioneering work of Bernard, [5] Pavlov and Anokin [6], Selye [7, 8] and others, the dynamic nature of biology could be observed and verified. The second is biophysics, which allowed for the principles of physical systems to be applied to biological ones, such as fluid dynamics, hear rate variability and neuronal electrical output [9-11]. The third is macro-biochemistry: in vivo output sampling of biological fluids, e.g. prostate specific antigen and urinary electrolytes [12]. This allows for quantization of gross metabolic activity through measurement of biomarkers. The fourth is micro-biochemistry, e.g. high throughput metabolomics [13]. This allows for massive data acquisition regarding thousands of complex metabolic actions within a single cell.

Complex biological organisms are composed of nested subsystems, both structurally and functionally. Each subsystem is a system unto itself, with intrinsic function, be it a cell, tissue or organ. Some systems are discrete and anatomical, such as the liver. Their coherence is proscribed by space and geometry. Others systems are non-discrete and functional, free of space and specific architecture, such as the immune system [1]. All systems in complex organisms are related through hierarchical levels of organization which integrate and interrelate the systems across space and time. The global living system overrides the intrinsic activity of the subsystems in order to preserve the material (structural) and functional integrity of the whole. In clinical medicine, the patient is the global system, not the cell, or cardiovascular system or any other particular subsystem. Therefore, the whole patient as a global system needs to be the object of ultimate study and the end point of integration of data.

The great challenge in applying systems biology to clinical medicine are three. The first is a theory of terrain that integrates functioning of the sub-systems into a coherent concept of the whole. The human organism is more than the individual metabolic activity of trillions of cells. The second is integration of the various quantitative assessments of biological activity in order to generate actionable data at the bedside. The difficulty in this case is that biochemical, biophysical, and metabolic assessments are measured in divergent ways: voltage, osmolality, concentration gradient, compliance, resistance, etc. Neither assemblage nor amalgamation of this data per se leads to an understanding of the whole in its expressed dynamical function. The third is a qualitative interpretation of quantitative data. The functioning of complex living systems is the sum of a series of non-deterministic binary possibilities, viz. catabolism and anabolism, or, growth and anti-growth, which are expressed simultaneously in various proportions. Therefore, quantitative data should be evaluated in a qualitative fashion. The true functioning of the organism, and its subsystems, is determined by the level of nested or interrelated activities relative to that of their counter-activities, expressed as ratios. In sum, what is needed in clinical practice is an approach to systems biology based on the whole person, which is quantitative in measurement but qualitative in analysis.

2. Theory of endobiogeny: global theory of terrain

The theory of endobiogeny is a global systems theory of terrain [14]. The founder of the theory of endobiogeny, Dr. Christian Duraffourd defined terrain as the “functional expression of the structural constitution in its internal equilibrium in the face of endogenous and exogenous aggressions” [15]. Structure is the phenotypic expression of genetic potential in its current, dynamic materialization. Function is the dynamic expression of genetically determined possibility in a non-deterministic field of probability. The terrain is maintained through the process of metabolism. Metabolism is the sum of all actions related to the transformation of energy and matter in biological systems. It ensures both the material integrity and functional dynamism of the terrain. Every unit of function has intrinsic metabolic requirements. The global organism is a series of nested, hierarchical arrangement of units. Something manages the coherency of metabolic activity across all units of function based on three qualities: 1) constancy of action, 2) ubiquity of action and 3) auto-regulation. The endocrine system is the only system to meet these criteria. Therefore, the endocrine system is the manager of the terrain [15].

The autonomic nervous system calibrates and sequences timing, duration, amplitude and intensity of endocrine function. Thus, in practical terms, we refer to the “neuroendocrine” system as the manager of metabolism and hence terrain [15]. The neuroendocrine system, therefore, is the primary focus of evaluation in Endobiogeny. The central nervous system (CNS) is also important, but is not the manager of the terrain. It is a surveyor and assessor of internal and external states and conditions in their permanent flux [15]. It creates existential hierarchies of values that assist the neuroendocrine system in its management of metabolism and terrain. The CNS itself is influenced by engrammatic mental perceptions and emotional reactions [16]. In summary, there are three types of upstream influences on metabolism: the neuroendocrine system, the CNS, and, perception and reaction. Metabolism occurs in a “black box” of cellular function, impossible to monitor in real time in the living human. What may be assessed is the downstream output of biomarkers derived from the metabolic activity. Endobiogeny utilizes the third type of quantitative assessment-macro-biochemistry-to infer the sum of major upstream influencers on metabolism.

There are two reasons why the upstream regulators are not directly measured. The first is that it is technically impossible to measure all factors simultaneously in real time. The second is that quantitative measurement of circulating hormones is not a valid reflection of the regulation of metabolism, which we have discussed in detail elsewhere [14]. Briefly, we cite some major issues. The sum of all agonistic and antagonistic hormones determine net effects of metabolism. Assessment of serum levels of individual hormones arrayed side by side in analysis will not determine their net effect on tissue-level metabolism. That is because individual variations in receptor subtype and polymorphisms exist, such that the actions of hormones cannot be linearly associated with their quantitative serum concentration [17-19]. Finally, anticipated effects of hormones can be impaired by persistent organic pollutants [20] or disrupted by xenohormones [21].

3. Biology of functions: application of downstream output

The biology of functions (BoF) is a modeling system derived from the theory of endobiogeny. The BoF calculates the qualitative function of the human organism in its dynamic state of phenotypic expression. It uses downstream serum biomarkers obtained by venous blood draw while the patient is in a fasting state [15, 22]. A number of biomarkers clearly linked to upstream influences on metabolism are used for input. The essential ones are: red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), percent differential of WBC (neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils and basophils), platelets, hemoglobin, potassium, calcium, sodium, chloride, total protein, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase total (CK), osteocalcin, and alkaline phosphatase bone isoenzyme (APBi). Of these, LDH, CK, osteocalcin and APBi are normalized to an internal standard based on the high and low of the normal ranges reported by the laboratory. When the TSH is < 0.5, then 0.5 must be used as an arbitrary value to prevent extremely large deviations during the calculation of indexes. When TSH is > 4.5, an internal transformation of TSH is performed to separate out the vertical feed forward activity of TSH on the thyroid from other activities performed by the thyrotropic system.

Once serum biomarkers have been resulted, they are combined by ratios to form direct indexes. Direct indexes may be combined with other indexes and/or additional biomarkers to form indirect, or, meta indexes (c.f. evoked histamine index, discussed later in the article). The normal values for indexes are initially derived through simple mathematical ratios of the normal values of the biomarkers according to the values for the adult female of child-bearing age. This is because all fetuses are by default programmed to become female if not for the activation of sex-determining region of $Y$ chromosome and Müllerian inhibiting factor [19]. Modifications in values are made for adult males and children according to certain programmatic differences in the levels of activity of certain elements of physiology, such as cortisol, estrogens, growth hormone, histamine, etc. through various phases of life.

The initial index value represents the general, current capabilities of the organism during adaptive metabolism, referred to as the function value. Through an internal transformation process, a structure value is derived. This represents the capabilities of the organism in basal metabolism. The distinction serves a useful purpose for the clinician using the system. Some disorders are disfunctions of basal metabolism, such as certain adenocarcinomas and menstrual disorders. Others are disorders of adaptive metabolism, such as asthma and certain autoimmune disorders.

There are several advantages to using downstream biomarkers as inference of upstream regulation of the terrain. First, quantifiable biomarkers allow for objective, repeatable evaluations of the terrain across time. Second, it allows for qualitative, polyfactorial assessment. Third, it allows for personalization of treatment by evaluating the specific element(s) within the construct of the meta-formulas most implicated for disequilibrium. For example, asthmatics may have insufficiency of cortisol, hyperfunctioning immune activity, hyperfunctioning autonomic nervous system activity, or some combination of all three. The indexes of cortisol, histamine and interleukins, respectively, allow for assessment of the equilibrium state of each factor. Based on the absolute or relative derangement of values, appropriate treatments can be selected. This is a novel approach that personalizes to phenotype rather than symptoms or genotype. In sum, the use of downstream biomarkers brings the clinical evaluation closer to the unity of the global expression of life that is the living patient.

There are disadvantages and limitations to the biology of functions worth noting. First, assumptions are made about how strongly associated specific biomarkers are to specific upstream regulators (c.f. genital ratio). Second, output from a single tissue (e.g. bone marrow – c.f. genital ratio) is assumed to be representative of the effects of hormones on all tissues. Third, the endobiogenic method is limited to general trends of the global terrain, not specific organs or tissues. Finally, the BoF does not evaluate real-time time scales of physiologic function. It represents a sum of activity over time – the specific cycle of time depends on the physiologic activity being modeled. With respect to acute adaptation, the results can change hourly. With respect to longer processes, such as chronic stress or pre-cancerous dysplasia, the indexes may change over weeks or months when blood samples are repeated.

The BoF is ultimately a tool submitted to the process of clinical medicine. According to the theory of endobiogeny, each disorder arises from a polyfactorial series of imbalances, particular to the system or tissue. It is through the triangulation of history, examination and biology of functions that individual observations are assembled into a clinically relevant conclusion. For example, consider a patient with a cutaneous allergic response. On physical exam, the histaminic response may be replicated, or other signs determined of local vs. systemic expression of histamine. On the BoF, the terrain is evaluated not only for an elevated histamine index, but also tissue-level cortisol activity, immune function, etc. If the histamine index is elevated, then the local allergic response derives from global system imbalances. If the index is normal or low, then the local allergic response is derived purely from local responses to allergens.

4. Construction of direct indexes

Androgens and estrogens are anabolic hormones that regulate cell metabolism. They stimulate DNA transcription elements related to protein-rich structures and activities, such as enzymes, as well as regulation of energy metabolism [23, 24]. Because of the limitation of quantitative levels of hormones and their effects on metabolism, a direct index was derived to approximate the global effects of these anabolic steroids. It has been observed that androgens stimulate the production of RBC’s in the bone marrow, [25] as estrogens do for WBC’s [26]. The Genital Ratio (GR) is defined as the relative activity of androgens on tissue metabolism during adaptation in relationship to that of estrogens: