[Effect of antioxidants on the HeLa cell infection process in culture]

A certain role in the outcome of virus infection of cells was assumed to belong to cell membrane lipids peroxidation. The influence of known inhibitors of lipid peroxidation, beta-naphthol and ionol, on HeLa cells infection with human adenovirus type 2 was studied. These antioxidants in certain concentrations were found to be capable of effectively inhibiting virus infection of HeLa cell cultures. At the same time, beyond these concentration levels these antioxidants did not inhibit but stimulated virus infection of HeLa cell cultures. It is concluded that inhibition of virus infection of cells by antioxidants in moderate concentrations is due to their blocking of membrane lipids peroxidation. The opposite effect of antioxidants in much higher or lower concentrations may be due to their membranotropic effect which enhances the development of virus infection. The results of the study attest to the possible use of antioxidants in appropriate concentrations for control of virus infection.