Promising low-cost development to treat severe upper respiratory symptoms of COVID-19

The SARS-CoV-2 virus creates severe upper respiratory symptoms in some patients. Why? We do not know, but the result of an abnormal response of the immune system creates a cytokine storm that increases medical problems and mortality rates.

Cytokine Storm

Cytokines are small proteins that control the activity of the immune system. They are the first assessors of the problem and tell the other reactionary forces in the immune to begin their functions. A cytokine storm means that too many cytokines are released at the same time. A little bit is good, a lot is not!

Infection, autoimmune reactions, and some diseases create conditions that a cytokine storm erupts. A cytokine storm is not a disease, but a serious medical condition. Sometimes, the COVID-19 virus causes a cytokine storm that significantly inhibits the survival of a patient. https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/cytokine-storm

The easiest analogy that I have seen is the accelerator pedal of your car. You push on the accelerator and the car goes faster. Let off on the accelerator and the speed drops. If the accelerator pedal gets stuck, the car goes faster than you want it to at that moment.

COVID-19 Cytokine Storm

There is no test to predict cytokine storms. With hospitalized COVID-19 patients, breathing-related symptoms become serious. In the first several months of this pandemic, many of those patients were put on ventilators to offset the difficulty breathing. https://www.health.com/condition/infectious-diseases/coronavirus/cytokine-storm

Treatments have varied over time and recovery from severe COVID-19 symptoms is much higher today than even three months ago. COVID-19 patients are spending less time in hospitals and fewer are being put on ventilators.

New Treatment

Drugs have side effects. Natural options generally do not interfere with normal human functions. Within our bodies are natural antioxidants. One of these antioxidants is called catalase.

Catalase is responsible for accelerating the decomposition process of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. While accelerating the decomposition process, catalase also protects the cell membrane from oxidative damage. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/could-a-common-antioxidant-enzyme-help-treat-covid-19

The SARS-Co-V-2 virus can cause an immune response that increases the formation of free radicals that contain oxygen, usually referred to as reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hydrogen peroxide is one of the species defined in the term ROS.

The white blood cell response from our immune system triggers the growth of ROS resulting in higher levels of hydrogen peroxide that can lead to tissue damage and potentially cellular death. Steroids, intravenous immune globulin, cytokine blockers, and more are typically used to control the explosion of inflammatory cytokines.

Catalase is a normal inhibitor to the growth of hydrogen peroxide in the body. It is normally found in the liver, red blood cells, and in the lungs in the alveolar epithelial cells. Scientists speculate that ROS levels could be controlled by employing catalase which is available as a supplement.

The journal Advanced Materials recently published a study using cell cultures and rhesus macaque monkeys treated with the COVID-19 virus and using catalase. The successes noted were the protection of the pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells, the resuscitation of those alveolar cells damaged by hydrogen peroxide, and the measurable decrease in the formation of hydrogen peroxide.

Lower concentrations of cytokines were noted with decreases in other biomarkers of inflammation, notably tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNG-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). One success most noteworthy was the suppression of the COVID-19 virus’ ability to replicate in the rhesus monkeys.

Conclusion

Scientists believe the use of catalase can be a breakthrough in the treatment of seriously ill COVID-19 patients. Catalase is effective and low cost. It tackles the inflammatory effects associated with upper respiratory ailments allowing patients to recover faster. Additional testing is ongoing to prove efficacy and effectiveness in controlled, randomized human studies.

Life Longer & Enjoy Life! – Red O’Laughlin – RedOLaughlin.com

 

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