title: Arginine inactivates human herpesvirus 2 and inhibits genital herpesvirus             infection.
abstract: Arginine, among the amino acids, has demonstrated unique properties, including suppression of protein-protein interactions and virus inactivation. We investigated the effects of arginine on the infectivity of human herpesvirus 2 (HHV-2) and the potential application of arginine as a chemotherapeutic agent against genital herpes. Arginine directly inactivated HHV-2 and characterization of the inactivation demonstrated that 1 M arginine at pH 4.3 inactivated the virus more efficiently compared to 0.1 M citrate or 1 M sodium chloride, indicating that neither acidic pH nor ionic strength alone is sufficient for virus inactivation. The effect of arginine was rapid and concentration-dependent. Although virus inactivation was efficient at an acidic pH, arginine inactivated the virus even at a neutral pH, provided that a higher arginine concentration and prolonged incubation time were used. In addition, arginine suppressed the multiplication of HHV-2 under the conditions at which its effect on cell viability was insignificant. Pilot mouse model studies revealed a marked suppression of death by arginine when the mice were infected with HHV-2 through the vaginal route, followed by an intermittent application of acidic arginine by vaginal instillation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Division of Virology,                     Wakayama Medical University Graduate School of Medicine, Wakayama 641-8509,                     Japan.
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ikeda
authors.forename: Hisashi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamasaki
authors.forename: Sawako
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Minami
authors.forename: Yukiko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Kazuko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tsujimoto
authors.forename: Yoshihisa
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sekino
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Irie
authors.forename: Tsutomu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arakawa
authors.forename: A Hajime
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Koyama
mesh_terms: D000282:Administration, Intravaginal; D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002522:Chlorocebus aethiops; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D014627:Vaginitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D014709:Vero Cells; D019562:Viral Load / Q000187:drug effects; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D001120:Arginine