American journal of therapeutics
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Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) plays an important role in mediating inflammation. In our studies, we found that iNOS-derived NO was significantly increased in the serum samples of 150 patients infected with influenza A virus in comparison with samples of 140 healthy individuals. In human lung epithelial cells, infection with influenza A virus or stimulation with poly(I:C) + interferon-gamma resulted in increased mRNA and protein levels of both interleukin-32 and iNOS, with subsequent release of NO. ⋯ The protective effects of orally applied nonhydrolized formulated species of carnosine include at least direct interaction with nitric oxide, inhibition of cytotoxic NO-induced proinflammatory condition, and attenuation of the effects of cytokines and chemokines that can exert profound effects on inflammatory cells. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that natural products, such as chicken soup and chicken breast extracts rich in carnosine and its derivative anserine (beta-alanyl-1-methyl-L-histidine) could contribute to the pathogenesis and prevention of influenza virus infections and cold but have a limitation due to susceptibility to enzymatic hydrolysis of dipeptides with serum carnosinase and urine excretion after oral ingestion of a commercial chicken extract. The developed and patented by the authors formulations of nonhydrolized in digestive tract and blood natural carnosine peptide and isopeptide (gamma-glutamyl-carnosine) products have a promise in the Influenza A (H1N1) virus infection disease control and prevention.