Mechanism of Action:
Lysozyme is a specific type of enzyme called a muramidase, which means it can cleave the bond between N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM) and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG), the building blocks of peptidoglycan, a major component of bacterial cell walls.
Key Actions of Lysozyme in Defending the Body:
1. Weakening Bacterial Cell Walls: By breaking down the peptidoglycan layer of bacterial cell walls, lysozyme weakens and compromises their structural integrity. This makes it easier for other immune cells and defense mechanisms to penetrate and eliminate the bacteria.
2. Inhibiting Bacterial Growth and Spread: By damaging bacterial cell walls, lysozyme prevents bacteria from growing, multiplying, and spreading within the body. It hinders their ability to invade deeper tissues and establish full-blown infections.
3. Facilitating Phagocytosis: Lysozyme's action on bacterial cell walls assists phagocytic cells, such as macrophages and neutrophils, in engulfing and digesting the damaged bacteria, eliminating them from the body.
4. Enhancing Immune Response: Lysozyme also stimulates other immune responses by releasing fragments of bacterial cell walls into the bloodstream, which can activate the complement system and promote inflammation to further combat the infection.
5. Acting as a First Line of Defense: The presence of lysozyme in tears, saliva, and mucus helps protect vulnerable entry points like the eyes, mouth, and respiratory tract from bacterial infections.
6. Preventing Colonization: Lysozyme's enzymatic action helps prevent the colonization and adherence of bacteria to mucosal surfaces, reducing the risk of infections.
Lysozyme is a naturally occurring defense mechanism that is continuously present in the body, protecting it from harmful bacterial invasions. It works synergistically with other components of the immune system, such as antibodies, white blood cells, and other antimicrobial substances, to maintain overall health and ward off infections.