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N-Acetyl cysteine effectively alleviates Coxsackievirus B-Induced myocarditis through suppressing viral replication

Yao Wang1, Shuoxuan Zhao1, Yang Chen2

  • 1Department of Cell Biology, Harbin Medical University, 157 Baojian Road, Harbin, 150081, China.

Antiviral Research
|December 30, 2019
PubMed

Insights

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) effectively treats viral myocarditis by inhibiting caspase-1 activation, reducing Coxsackievirus B replication and inflammation. This clinically approved drug offers a promising therapy for heart inflammation.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Immunology
  • Cardiology

Background:

  • Viral myocarditis, often caused by Coxsackievirus B (CVB), leads to severe myocardial inflammation, potentially progressing to heart failure.
  • Current treatments for viral myocarditis are limited, highlighting the need for effective therapeutic agents.
  • Previous research indicated that inhibiting caspase-1 activation suppresses CVB replication.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic potential of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) in treating CVB-induced viral myocarditis.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms underlying NAC's antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects in the context of CVB infection.

Main Methods:

  • In vivo studies using a mouse model of CVB type 3 (CVB3) infection.
  • In vitro cell culture experiments to assess NAC's effects on viral replication and inflammatory markers.
  • Analysis of caspase-1 activation, procaspase-1 degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and viral protease activity.

Main Results:

  • NAC significantly alleviated myocardial injury in CVB3-infected mice.
  • NAC suppressed both CVB replication and inflammatory responses in the myocardium and cell cultures.
  • NAC's therapeutic effects were mediated by the inhibition of caspase-1 activation, independent of its antioxidant properties, and by inhibiting viral proteases.

Conclusions:

  • N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) demonstrates potent antiviral and anti-inflammatory effects against Coxsackievirus B by targeting caspase-1 activation.
  • NAC promotes procaspase-1 degradation and inhibits viral proteases, contributing to its therapeutic efficacy.
  • Given its clinical approval and demonstrated efficacy, NAC is recommended as a potential therapeutic agent for viral myocarditis.

Keywords:
AntiviralCaspase-1Coxsackievirus BN-acetyl cysteineViral protease

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