COVID-19 and Karnozin Extra®

We are witnessing a major global pandemic of the new SARS CoV-2 virus

The virus is manifested by high temperature and acute respiratory symptoms, and in about 52% of the infected population, it has been manifested asymptomatically. However, in severe cases, the virus can lead to lung damage, organ failure, septic shock and death. Many features of the new virus are still unknown, but the world’s research centers and scientists are working intensively to discover new information related to the viral genome, its replication, binding to different receptors, ways of transmission and defining different therapeutic protocols.

Immunity and viruses

Viral infections cause our immune system’s activation. From some viral infections, we can easily recover. Sometimes we are even unaware of the fact we had them. However, some viruses cause more severe clinical symptoms. The most common symptom of a viral infection is fever. Fever is very important and represents one of our defense systems. High temperature encourages the engagement of our cells that fight viruses – T and B lymphocytes. Therefore, the temperature should not be dropped as long as it does not exceed 38.5.

How do our immune cells kill viruses?

When a virus infects our cells, our immune system is activated and responsible for attacking the infection. T and B lymphocytes produce various inflammatory substances that are killing infected cells. This fight between our immune system and the virus is called inflammation. If the immune response is well balanced, our immune cells will fight the virus in just a few days. When the immune response is too strong, as in the case of severe SARS CoV-2 virus infections, then our immune system does more tissue damage by producing a large number of inflammatory products than the virus itself. This reaction also destroys surrounding, uninfected, healthy tissues.

In viral infections, the increased concentration of NO (nitric oxide) leads to the formation of extremely toxic peroxynitrite, which damages tissues and DNA.

Lipid peroxidation in COVID-19 patients

A recently published study showed that lipid peroxidation is a hallmark of severe COVID-19. The study was conducted on 108 COVID-19 patients and showed that lipid peroxidation is significantly higher in severe COVID-19 cases as compared to mild COVID-19 and healthy subjects. Moreover, when mild COVID-19 patients were compared to their healthy controls, the level of lipid peroxidation was higher. These results stress the importance of oxidative stress in COVID-10 disease progression (Martín-Fernández, M et al, 2021).

Carnosine, Karnozin Extra and COVID-19

Just a few weeks ago, in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health scientist from Australia, India and the USA published a paper related to L-carnosine and COVID-19. https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/11/3986/htm

In this paper, authors suggest that carnosine can be a potentially promising agent in the global management of COVID-19, with particular benefit in mitigating comorbidities associated with COVID-19.

What is L-carnosine?

L-carnosine is a dipeptide normally present in the human body.

It has multiple positive roles:

  • Antioxidant (removes free radicals)
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Chelates and removes heavy metals
  • Delays aging
  • Maintains normal pH in cells

According to scientists, L-carnosine is a good choice as a prevention, and during infection with the SARS CoV-2 virus for several reasons:

  •  Carnosine is a safe, available, non-prescription supplement
  •  Reduces the concentration of nitric oxide and harmful peroxynitrite, protecting tissues from an excessive inflammatory reaction
  • Reduces lipid peroxidation
  • Balances the immune response
  • Studies have shown that carnosine is very effective against the influenza virus, zika virus and dengue fever

Recently conducted in-vitro analysis showed that Karnozin Extra inhibits lipid peroxidation higher than alpha-lipoic acid, which is shown in the Figure below. Given the complex antioxidant formulation of Karnozin Extra, it can serve as a promising dietary supplement in promoting health and diminishing oxidative stress in COVID-19 patients.

Conclusion:

Oral administration of carnosine may play an important role in reducing lung tissue damage, morbidity, and mortality associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The administration of L-carnosine to COVID-19 patients may be helpful in managing this disease and may be helpful in offsetting the burden on health care systems, particularly in low-income countries that are struggling with finances and the high costs of medical care. 

References:

Martín-Fernández, M., Aller, R., Heredia-Rodríguez, M., Gómez-Sánchez, E., Martínez-Paz, P., Gonzalo-Benito, H., Sánchez-de Prada, L., Gorgojo, Ó., Carnicero-Frutos, I., Tamayo, E., & Tamayo-Velasco, Á. (2021). Lipid peroxidation as a hallmark of severity in COVID-19 patients. Redox biology48, 102181. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2021.102181