Grapefruit against hepatitis C

About 3% of the world's population is infected with the hepatitis C virus. Existing antiviral drugs are ineffective, and 70% of hepatitis C patients develop a chronic form of the disease that contributes to the development of cirrhosis or liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus does not integrate its genetic material into the chromosomes of the host cells, so theoretically it can be completely removed from the body if the infection of healthy cells is stopped.

Scientists at the Massachusetts General Hospital (Boston), working under the guidance of Dr. Martin Yarmush, have found that in order to release hepatitis C virus particles from infected cells, they attach to very low-density lipoproteins synthesized by hepatocytes (particles of "bad" cholesterol). This fact indicates that cholesterol-lowering drugs, including dietary supplements, can be used in combination with traditional antiviral agents to remove the virus from an infected liver.

The bitter taste of grapefruit is due to the flavonoid naringin, which is included in its composition, which is metabolized in the body into naringenin, an antioxidant that suppresses the secretion of cholesterol by liver cells. In experiments on cell lines, the authors demonstrated that naringenin prevents the release of viral particles from infected hepatocytes by suppressing the secretion of a specific lipoprotein binding to viral particles.

The approach proposed by the researchers can be used to treat patients infected with hepatitis C who do not respond to traditionally used interferon preparations, or as an auxiliary tool to improve the results of therapy.

Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru based on the materials of ScienceDaily.

06.02.2008