Effect of dipterinyl calcium pentahydrate on hepatitis B virus replication in transgenic mice

Immunopterin: A prospective therapy and preventative to fight COVID-19?

Background

The authors explore the therapeutic and prophylactic efficacies of Immunopterin (calcium pterin-6-carboxylate chelate) against coronavirus colds and as a therapy against COVID-19.

Methods

To determine Immunopterin’s therapeutic efficacy against colds and flus, a 5-year observational study was conducted with 34 subjects who took Immunopterin when feeling symptoms of a cold or flu. The mean sample cold recovery time was compared to the US population mean. A review of the Moheno (2014) 2-year observational study was conducted to evaluate the prophylactic efficacy of Immunopterin against colds. Early COVID-19 case studies, treated with Immunopterin, were collected to explore Immunopterin’s efficacy as a therapeutic and prophylactic against COVID19 disease.

Results

The mean cold recovery time for the therapeutic sample in the cold/flu observational study was 30 h compared to the US population mean of 168 h (N = 34; p < 0.001). Subjects taking prophylactic Immunopterin reported 0% incidences of colds and flus (N = 31). Immunopterin successfully treated four confirmed COVID-19 subjects. A fifth clinical nurse case study demonstrates COVID-19 prevention.

Conclusions

The therapeutic and prophylactic efficacies of Immunopterin against coronavirus colds, along with reported cross-reactivity between coronavirus colds and SARS-CoV-2 strongly suggest Immunopterin can act as a therapy and preventative against COVID- 19 infection associated disease.

Small molecule inhibitors and stimulators of inducible nitric oxide synthase in cancer cells from natural origin (phytochemicals, marine compounds, antibiotics)

Nitric oxide synthases (NOS) are a family of isoforms, which generate nitric oxide (NO). NO is one of the smallest molecules in nature and acts mainly as a potent vasodilator. It participates in various biological processes ranging from physiological to pathological conditions. Inducible NOS (iNOS, NOS2) is a calcium-independent and inducible isoform. Despite high iNOS expression in many tumors, the role of iNOS is still unclear and complex with both enhancing and prohibiting actions in tumorigenesis. Nature presents a broad variety of natural stimulators and inhibitors, which may either promote or inhibit iNOS response. In the present review, we give an overview of iNOS-modulating agents with a special focus on both natural and synthetic molecules and their effects in related biological processes. The role of iNOS in physiological and pathological conditions is also discussed.

Twin study shows association between monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and kynurenic acid in cerebrospinal fluid

Preclinical studies indicate a link between the kynurenine pathway and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), but there is a lack of clinical studies examining this further. We here perform a secondary analysis of kynurenine metabolites and MCP-1 in cerebrospinal fluid of 23 twins affected from schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or unaffected. We show an association between MCP-1 and kynurenic acid (KYNA), driven by unique environmental influences and a less pronounced association between MCP-1 and tryptophan. No association was detected between MCP-1 and quinolinic acid. Further studies on the mechanism behind the putative relationship between KYNA and MCP-1 are needed.

Dipterinyl calcium pentahydrate inhibits intracellular mycobacterial growth in human monocytes via the C-C chemokine MIP-1β and nitric oxide

Tuberculosis remains one of the top three leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, complicated by the emergence of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and high rates of HIV coinfection. It is important to develop new antimycobacterial drugs and immunomodulatory therapeutics and compounds that enhance antituberculous immunity. Dipterinyl calcium pentahydrate (DCP), a calcium-complexed pterin compound, has previously been shown to inhibit human breast cancer cells and hepatitis B virus (HBV). DCP inhibitory effects were attributed to induction of apoptosis and/or increased production of interleukin 12 (IL-12) and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). In this study, we tested the ability of DCP to mediate inhibition of intracellular mycobacteria within human monocytes. DCP treatment of infected monocytes resulted in a significant reduction in viability of intracellular but not extracellular Mycobacterium bovis BCG. The antimicrobial activity of DCP was comparable to that of pyrazinamide (PZA), one of the first-line antituberculosis drugs currently used. DCP potentiated monocyte antimycobacterial activity by induction of the cysteine-cysteine (C-C) chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein 1β (MIP-1β) and inducible nitric oxide synthase 2. Addition of human anti-MIP-1β neutralizing antibody or a specific inhibitor of the l-arginase-nitric oxide pathway (N(G)-monomethyl l-arginine [l-NMMA] monoacetate) reversed the inhibitory effects of DCP on intracellular mycobacterial growth. These findings indicate that DCP induced mycobacterial killing via MIP-1β- and nitric oxide-dependent effects. Hence, DCP acts as an immunoregulatory compound enhancing the antimycobacterial activity of human monocytes.

Effect of orally administered dipterinyl calcium pentahydrate on oral glucose tolerance in diet-induced obese mice

Calcium pterins have been shown to be significant immunotherapeutic agents in models of breast cancer, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin mycobacteria). These compunds modulate the immuno-enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) and the blood levels of several identified inflammatory cytokines. Recent research into the pathology of diabetes implicates inflammatory factors in the progression of the disease, leading the authors to study its possible control by one of the calcium pterins, dipterinyl calcium pentahydrate (DCP). The investigators tested DCP as a novel therapeutic for type 2 diabetes. Female C57BL/6 J mice with diet-induced obesity were fed a high-fat diet and were administered DCP in 0.4% carboxymethylcellulose for 21 days. Blood glucose was followed during the dosing period, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was carried out on day 21. Measurements of plasma indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase metabolites (tryptophan and kynurenine) and certain cytokines and chemokines were also taken. DCP 7 mg/kg/day reduced OGTT area under the curve (OGTT/ AUC) by 50% (P < 0.05). A significant multivariate regression (P = 0.013; R(2) = 0.571) of OGTT/ AUC was derived from DCP dosage and plasma Trp. Elevated plasma Trp concentration, likely from heterogeneity in diet and/or indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase activity, was found to correlate with higher OGTT/AUC diabetic measures, possibly via inhibition of histamine degradation. In conclusion, an optimum dose of DCP 7 mg/kg/day significantly improved the OGTT diabetic state in these female diet-induced obese mice.