Herpes zoster. The treatment and prevention of neuralgia with adenosine monophosphate

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Dermatology
• Pharmacology

Background:

• Herpes zoster (shingles) is a viral infection causing painful skin lesions.
• Current treatments for acute herpes zoster aim to alleviate pain and accelerate healing.
• Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) is a naturally occurring cellular metabolite with potential therapeutic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of gel-sustained adenosine monophosphate (AMP) injections for acute herpes zoster.
• To compare AMP treatment outcomes against a placebo in a randomized, double-blind trial.

Main Methods:

• Thirty-two adults with acute herpes zoster were enrolled in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial.
• Participants received intramuscular injections of gel-sustained AMP or placebo three times weekly for up to four weeks.
• Pain levels, desquamation time, skin healing, virus shedding, and long-term outcomes were assessed.

Main Results:

• Adenosine monophosphate (AMP) treatment significantly reduced pain and accelerated skin healing compared to placebo.
• AMP therapy decreased virus shedding and promoted faster viral clearance.
• At four weeks, 88% of AMP-treated patients were pain-free versus 43% in the placebo group.
• All patients receiving AMP, including those initially on placebo, experienced pain recovery within three weeks.
• No recurrence of pain or lesions was observed between three and 18 months post-treatment.

Conclusions:

• Gel-sustained adenosine monophosphate (AMP) is an effective and safe treatment for acute herpes zoster.
• AMP demonstrates significant benefits in pain reduction, accelerated healing, and viral clearance.
• The natural cellular metabolite AMP shows no adverse effects or toxicity.
• Long-term follow-up indicates sustained recovery and absence of recurrence after AMP treatment.