title: A new mechanism of vitamin C effects on A/FM/1/47(H1N1) virus-induced pneumonia in restraint-stressed mice.
abstract: It is well known that vitamin C could protect against influenza infection, but little is known about the mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the influence and possible mechanisms of vitamin C on pneumonia induced by influenza virus in stressed mice. Results showed that restraint stress significantly increased the mortality and the severity of pneumonia in mice caused by A/FM/1/47(H1N1) virus infection, which was attenuated by oral administration of vitamin C (125 and 250 mg/kg). Moreover, vitamin C administration significantly decreased expression of susceptibility genes, including mitochondrial antiviral signaling (MAVS) and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), and increased expression of NF-κB. These work in conjunction to induce type I interferons (IFNs) and elicit innate antiviral response as key factors in RIG-I-mediated signal transduction pathway. The above effects of vitamin C were further found to relate with inhibition of excess CORT synthesis by regulating steroid hydroxylating enzymes in adrenal gland. In conclusion, the protective effects of vitamin C on influenza virus-caused pneumonia might be related to its inhibition of CORT synthesis, which reduces the susceptibility to influenza viral infection in restraint-stressed mice. These findings provide a new mechanism for the effects of vitamin C on influenza virus-induced pneumonia in restraint-stressed mice.
authors.affiliation: Anti-Stress and Health Research Center, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China ; Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.affiliation: Anti-Stress and Health Research Center, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China ; Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Yi-Fang
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Anti-Stress and Health Research Center, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China ; Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Lu-Ping
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Anti-Stress and Health Research Center, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China ; Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Bun
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tsoi
authors.affiliation: Anti-Stress and Health Research Center, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China ; Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Anti-Stress and Health Research Center, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China ; Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Huan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Anti-Stress and Health Research Center, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China ; Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Xiao-Mei
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Anti-Stress and Health Research Center, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China ; Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Rui-Rong
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.affiliation: Anti-Stress and Health Research Center, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China ; Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kurihara
authors.affiliation: Anti-Stress and Health Research Center, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China ; Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine & Natural Products, Pharmacy College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China.
authors.forename: Rong-Rong
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D053118:Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011024:Pneumonia, Viral / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000276:immunology; D012149:Restraint, Physical; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D001205:Ascorbic Acid