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Brain research2015; 1622; 368-376; doi: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.06.034

Melatonin, minocycline and ascorbic acid reduce oxidative stress and viral titers and increase survival rate in experimental Venezuelan equine encephalitis.

Abstract: Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) virus causes an acute central nervous system infection in human and animals. Melatonin (MLT), minocycline (MIN) and ascorbic acid (AA) have been shown to have antiviral activities in experimental infections; however, the mechanisms involved are poorly studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of those compounds on the viral titers, NO production and lipid peroxidation in the brain of mice and neuroblastoma cultures infected by VEE virus. Infected mouse (10 LD50) were treated with MLT (500 μg/kg bw), MIN (50mg/kg bw) or AA (50mg/kg bw). Infected neuroblastoma cultures (MOI: 1); MLT: 0.5, 1, 5mM, MIN: 0.1, 0.2, 2 μM or AA: 25, 50, 75 μM. Brains were obtained at days 1, 3 and 5. In addition, survival rate of infected treated mice was also analyzed. Viral replication was determined by the plaque formation technique. NO and lipid peroxidation were measured by Griess׳ reaction and thiobarbituric acid assay respectively. Increased viral replication, NO production and lipid peroxidation were observed in both, infected brain and neuroblastoma cell cultures compared with uninfected controls. Those effects were diminished by the studied treatments. In addition, increased survival rate (50%) in treated infected animals compared with untreated infected mice (0%) was found. MLT, MIN and AA have an antiviral effect involving their anti-oxidant properties, and suggesting a potential use of these compounds for human VEE virus infection.
Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2015-07-10 PubMed ID: 26168898DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2015.06.034Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study explores the impact of melatonin, minocycline and ascorbic acid on the severity of Venezuelan equine encephalitis by observing changes in viral levels, nitric oxide production and oxidative stress. The research indicates these substances could offer potential benefits as a treatment for the virus.

Research Aim and Methodology

  • The primary aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of melatonin, minocycline and ascorbic acid in altering the progression of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus in mice and neuroblastoma cell cultures.
  • These compounds were selected because their antiviral properties have been proven in previous experimental infections. However, the specific mechanisms that generate these antiviral activities haven’t been thoroughly researched.
  • In the experiment, infected mice were treated with specific doses of each compound, and their brains were examined after 1, 3 and 5 days.
  • The level of viral replication in the mice and cell cultures was monitored using the plaque formation technique.

Findings

  • The study found that untreated, infected mouse brains and neuroblastoma cell cultures exhibited an increase in the viral replication, nitric oxide production and lipid peroxidation when compared to uninfected controls.
  • These reductions were significantly less in mice and cell cultures that had been treated with melatonin, minocycline or ascorbic acid.
  • Futher, the research found that mice infected with the virus and treated with the compounds had a survival rate of 50%, whereas untreated, infected mice had a survival rate of 0%.

Implications of the Study

  • The study suggests that the antiviral effect of melatonin, minocycline and ascorbic acid could be due to their antioxidant properties.
  • This finding indicates a potential use of these compounds in treating human Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus infections. However, more research is required to determine the specific mechanisms of the antiviral effects as well as to assess potential side effects.

Cite This Article

APA
(2015). Melatonin, minocycline and ascorbic acid reduce oxidative stress and viral titers and increase survival rate in experimental Venezuelan equine encephalitis. Brain Res, 1622, 368-376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2015.06.034

Publication

Brain research
ISSN: 1872-6240
NlmUniqueID: 0045503
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 1622
Pages: 368-376
PII: S0006-8993(15)00516-8

Researcher Affiliations

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Antiviral Agents / pharmacology
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Encephalitis Virus, Venezuelan Equine / metabolism
  • Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / drug therapy
  • Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / metabolism
  • Encephalomyelitis, Venezuelan Equine / mortality
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects
  • Lipid Peroxidation / physiology
  • Male
  • Melatonin / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Minocycline / pharmacology
  • Neuroblastoma / drug therapy
  • Neuroblastoma / metabolism
  • Neuroprotective Agents / pharmacology
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology
  • Survival Rate
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viral Load

Citations

This article has been cited 27 times.
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