Antioxidants May Help Prevent Influenza Damage to Lungs

While much of the media buzz concerning the H1N1 virus has faded, scientists remain hard at work researching how the virus functions. Now, a team of Alabama researchers may have found what could be an answer for all strains of the flu. They've shown that antioxidants - the same compounds found in plant-based foods - might hold the key in preventing the flu virus from causing damage to our lungs. The study was published in the FASEB journal.

Co-author of the study, Sadis Matalon, claims, “The recent outbreak of H1N1 influenza and the rapid spread of this strain across the world highlights the need to better understand how this virus damages the lungs and to find new treatments. Additionally, our research shows that antioxidants may prove beneficial in the treatment of flu.”

The researchers demonstrated that the flu virus is able to damage the lungs with its “M2 protein” which attacks the cells that line the inner surfaces of our lungs, epithelial cells. Specifically, the M2 protein disrupts the ability of epithelial cells to remove liquid from inside the lungs, setting the stage for pneumonia and other lung complications.

The researchers conducted three sets of experiments using the M2 protein and the lung protein they damaged. First, researchers injected frog eggs with the M2 protein and the lung protein and found that the function of the lung protein was significantly decreased. The scientists then isolated the segment of the M2 protein responsible for the damage to the lung protein. They then showed that without this segment, the protein was unable to cause damage.

Surprisingly, when researchers re-injected the full M2 protein and the lung protein into frog eggs and added drugs known to remove antioxidants, this also prevented M2 from damaging the lung protein. This experiment was replicated using cells from human lungs with exactly the same results.

Editor in chief for the FASEB journal, Gerald Weissmann, concludes, “Although vaccines will remain the first line of intervention against the flu for a long time to come, this study opens the door for entirely new treatments geared toward stopping the virus after you’re sick.”

Disclaimer

To add comments please login to empowereddoctor.com

Featured Doctors

Tulsa, Oklahoma Cancer Treatment Center

Cancer Hospital in OK

Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Tulsa, Oklahoma
10109 E. 79th Street (81st Street & Highway 169)
Tulsa, OK 74133

Call: 800-655-1253

Fibromyalgia Fairfield, Connecticut

Associates in Family Chiropractic & Natural Health Care, P.C.

156 East Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851

Call: (203) 242-0165

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Cancer Treatment Center

Cancer Hospital in PA

Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1331 East Wyoming Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19124

Call: 800-821-6032

Oncologist Bronx, NY

Eastchester Center for Cancer Care

Eastchester Center for Cancer Care
2330 Eastchester Road
Bronx, NY 10469

Call: (888) 860-7136

Oncology/ Oncologist Hawthorne, NY

Asim Aijaz, M.D.

Westchester Oncology & Hematology
19 Bradhurst Avenue
Hawthorne, NY 10532

Call: 888-370-4284

Colon Cancer Westchester, New York

Center for Advanced Surgery | Colorectal, GI and Endocrine Surgery

Lawrence Hospital Center for Advanced Surgery
55 Palmer Avenue, First Floor
Bronxville, NY 10708

Call: 888-468-9351

Goodyear, Arizona Cancer Treatment Center

Cancer Hospital Near Phoenix

Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Goodyear, Arizona
14200 W. Fillmore Street
Goodyear, AZ 85338

Call: 800-434-4215

Cancer Treatment Centers of America Locations

Cancer Treatment Centers of America

,

Call: 888-417-1667

Chicago, Illinois Cancer Treatment Center

Cancer Hospital in Zion

Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion, Illinois
2520 Elisha Avenue
Zion, IL 60099

Call: 800-403-7412

Chiropractic Fairfield, Connecticut

Associates in Family Chiropractic & Natural Health Care, P.C.

156 East Avenue
Norwalk, CT 06851

Call: 203-242-0165