Inactivation of HSV-2 by ascorbate-Cu(II) and its protecting evaluation in CF-1 mice against encephalitis.
Ascorbate is an important antioxidant. However, in the presence of transition metals such as Cu(II) or Fe(III), it also has pro-oxidant capabilities. The effect of ascorbate-Cu(II) in the in vitro infection of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) and its protecting effect in a murine model was investigated. HSV-2 was treated with different concentrations of ascorbate in the presence of Cu(II). A group of CF-1 mice were treated with the inactivated virus and other treated with maintenance medium containing only ascorbate-Cu(II). Weeks later, mice were challenged intranasally with infectious viruses. HSV-2 was completely inactivated by 2mM ascorbate plus 1mM Cu(II). Ascorbate or Cu(II) alone did not inactivate the virus. Compared with the control group, 60% of the immunized animals did not show any sign of encephalitis and survived the herpes virus infection, while a 7% survival rate was observed in the control group (P = 0.056). We concluded that the in vitro treatment of HSV-2 with ascorbate-Cu(II) is not only able to inactivate the virus, but also suggested that the viral particles induced a protective response against herpes encephalitis. This inactivation may provide an alternative method to develop new agents therapeutics.
Area Académica de Nutrición, Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Abasolo 600 Pachuca de Soto, Hidalgo 42000, Mexico. gbetanzo@ipn.mx
Gabriel
G
Betanzos-Cabrera
Francisco J
FJ
Ramírez
José L
JL
Muñoz
Blanca L
BL
Barrón
Rogelio
R
Maldonado
D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D022283:Herpesvirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000276:immunology; D007114:Immunization; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D014709:Vero Cells; D038301:Virus Inactivation
D022283:Herpesvirus Vaccines; D003300:Copper; D001205:Ascorbic Acid