Drugs to cure avian influenza infection – multiple ways to prevent cell death

Yuan, S

Among all ROS scavengers, ascorbic acid (vitamin C (VC)) is the best choice, as it is effective, non-toxic, easy to be absorbed and more stable than the others (similar to reduced glutathione). VC scavenges ROS through a non-enzymatic process. 13 In the ninteenth century, VC had been used to treat hepatitis, encephalitis, influenza, SARS and some other viral diseases. 13 In 1970, Nobel laureate chemist Linus Pauling published the book 'Vitamin C And The Common Cold', wherein he advocated that high doses of VC can prevent and treat colds. 14 There is little direct evidence to show that the high amounts of VC would be helpful for patients during a severe avian influenza infection. However, an investigation showed that in several publicized locations, including Vietnam, many (about 50%) of the humans infected with avian flu (H5N1) did not die. 15 Ely 16 suggested that their survival may have occurred, as the particular viral load constituting their moderate infection may have been small enough that the Figure 1 Summary of therapies, mortality rates and the therapeutic mechanisms. AIV, avian influenza virus; ARDS, acute respiratory distress syndrome; mt, mitochondrion; ROS, reactive oxygen species; CsA, cyclosporin A VC they accidentally acquired from their diets was adequate to defend them.