Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 ORF3a induces the expression of ACE2 in oral and pulmonary epithelial cells and the food supplement Vita Deyun® diminishes this effect

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has become a serious global health problem and numerous studies are currently being conducted to improve understanding of the components of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, as well as to identify solutions that mitigate the effects of COVID-19 symptoms. The nutritional supplement Vita Deyun^® is composed of silymarin, glutathione, vitamin C and selenium. Studies of its individual components have demonstrated their benefits as anti-inflammatory agents, antioxidants and enhancers of the immune response. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effects of Vita Deyun on the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in diverse cell lines, as well as in the presence or absence of the SARS-CoV-2 open reading frame (ORF)3a protein. Through reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, the use of viral particles containing SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a and bioinformatics analysis via the National Center for Biotechnology Information databases, ACE2 was determined to be highly expressed in oral and skin epithelial cells, with a lower expression observed in lung cells. Notably, the expression of SARS-CoV-2 ORF3a increased the level of ACE2 expression and Vita Deyun treatment diminished this effect. In addition, Vita Deyun treatment markedly decreased interleukin-18 mRNA levels. The combination of phytonutrients in Vita Deyun may help to boost the immune system and could reduce the effects of COVID-19. Ongoing clinical studies are required to provide evidence of the efficacy of Vita Deyun.

Induction of micronucleated erythrocytes in mouse peripheral blood after cutaneous application of 5-fluorouracil

BACKGROUND

For topically applied drugs such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), dosage is not as precise as for other drug administration pathways. Consequently, quantity of drug delivered may differ among individuals and applications. 5-FU is used in treatment of different diseases and has been reported as a clastogenic compound by micronucleus assay.

METHODS

To determine whether 5-FU cream (5% 5-FU) absorbed through skin can produce genotoxic or cytotoxic effect in mouse bone marrow, induction of micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE) in mouse peripheral blood was examined after cutaneous application of 5-FU daily for 5 days.

RESULTS

5-FU cream induced significant micronuclei at doses of 37.5 mg (total weight of cream)/2 cm(2) and 75.0 mg/2 cm(2), as well as cytotoxic effects at doses of 150.0 and 300.0 mg/2 cm(2).

CONCLUSIONS

Cutaneous application of 5-FU increased number of MNE in mouse peripheral blood. These data emphasize the importance of using correct dose when applying drugs topically.