Pulmonary/ Respiratory

The Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases and Respiratory-Related Conditions with Inhaled (Nebulized or Aerosolized) Glutathione.

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 15:41:59 +0000

The Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases and Respiratory-Related Conditions with Inhaled (Nebulized or Aerosolized) Glutathione. Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/24/2021 - 11:41

Reduced glutathione or simply glutathione (g-glutamylcysteinylglycine; GSH) is found in the cytosol of most cells of the body. GSH in the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of the lower respiratory tract is thought to be the first line of defense against oxidative stress. Inhalation (nebulized or aerosolized) is the only known method that increases GSH's levels in the ELF. A review of the literature was conducted to examine the clinical effectiveness of inhaled GSH as a treatment for various pulmonary diseases and respiratory-related conditions. This report also discusses clinical and theoretical indications for GSH inhalation, potential concerns with this treatment, its presumed mechanisms of action, optimal doses to be administered and other important details. Reasons for inhaled GSH's effectiveness include its role as a potent antioxidant, and possibly improved oxygenation and host defenses. Theoretical uses of this treatment include Farmer's lung, pre- and post-exercise, multiple chemical sensitivity disorder and cigarette smoking. GSH inhalation should not be used as a treatment for primary lung cancer. Testing for sulfites in the urine is recommended prior to GSH inhalation. Minor side effects such as transient coughing and an unpleasant odor are common with this treatment. Major side effects such as bronchoconstriction have only occurred among asthma patients presumed to be sulfite-sensitive. The potential applications of inhaled GSH are numerous when one considers just how many pulmonary diseases and respiratory-related conditions are affected by deficient antioxidant status or an over production of oxidants, poor oxygenation and/or impaired host defenses. More studies are clearly warranted. PMID: 18317545

Author

Prousky J.

Citedate

2008-01-01

Citation

eCAM, 2008;5(1):27-35.

Affiliations

91��

Publication

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2249747/

Taxonomy

Pulmonary/ Respiratory

The effect of quercetin on the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 and other respiratory tract infections in humans: A rapid review

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 15:41:49 +0000

The effect of quercetin on the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 and other respiratory tract infections in humans: A rapid review Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/24/2021 - 11:41

Brief overview

There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend quercetin supplementation as a therapy for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19. Three human clinical trials with low risk of bias suggest that oral quercetin may have a beneficial effect on the incidence and duration of respiratory tract infections in certain populations; however, further research is needed.

Verdict

Current evidence on the efficacy of quercetin supplementation in the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 is insufficient for its clinical recommendation at this time. Quercetin exhibits both immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effects in preclinical studies; however, only three human clinical trials, each with a low risk of bias rating, were identified in this rapid review. One study reported a decrease in incidence of upper respiratory tract infections following a competitive athletic event. A larger community clinical trial reported a benefit in older, athletic adults only.

Keywords

Quercetin, Respiratory tract infection, COVID, COVID-19, Rapid review

DOI Link: doi: 10.1016/j.aimed.2020.07.007

Author

Monique Aucoin; Kieran Cooley; Paul Richard Saunders; Valentina Cardozo; Daniella Remy; Holger Cramer; Carlos Neyre Abad; Nicole Hannan

Citedate

2020-07-30

Citation

Aucoin M, Cooley K, Saunders PR, et al. The effect of quercetin on the prevention or treatment of COVID-19 and other respiratory tract infections in humans: A rapid review [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jul 30]. Adv Integr Med. 2020;10.1016/j.aime

Publication

Advances in Integrative Medicine

Taxonomy

Pulmonary/ Respiratory

Elderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses: a systematic review

Anonymous — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 15:41:48 +0000

Elderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses: a systematic review Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 08/24/2021 - 11:41

Background

Elderberry has traditionally been used to prevent and treat respiratory problems. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been interest in elderberry supplements to treat or prevent illness, but also concern that elderberry might overstimulate the immune system and increase the risk of ‘cytokine storm’. We aimed to determine benefits and harms of elderberry for the prevention and treatment of viral respiratory infections, and to assess the relationship between elderberry supplements and negative health impacts associated with overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review and searched six databases, four research registers, and two preprint sites for studies. Two reviewers independently assessed studies for inclusion, extracted data from studies, assessed risk of bias using Cochrane tools, and evaluated certainty of estimates using GRADE. Outcomes included new illnesses and the severity and duration of illness.

Results

We screened 1187 records and included five randomized trials on elderberry for the treatment or prevention of viral respiratory illness. We did not find any studies linking elderberry to clinical inflammatory outcomes. However, we found three studies measuring production of cytokines ex vivo after ingestion of elderberry. Elderberry may not reduce the risk of developing the common cold; it may reduce the duration and severity of colds, but the evidence is uncertain. Elderberry may reduce the duration of influenza but the evidence is uncertain. Compared to oseltamivir, an elderberry-containing product may be associated with a lower risk of influenza complications and adverse events. We did not find evidence on elderberry and clinical outcomes related to inflammation. However, we found evidence that elderberry has some effect on inflammatory markers, although this effect may decline with ongoing supplementation. One small study compared elderberry to diclofenac (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and provided some evidence that elderberry is as effective or less effective than diclofenac in cytokine reduction over time.

Conclusions

Elderberry may be a safe option for treating viral respiratory illness, and there is no evidence that it overstimulates the immune system. However, the evidence on both benefits and harms is uncertain and information from recent and ongoing studies is necessary to make firm conclusions.

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03283-5

Author

L. Susan Wieland, Vanessa Piechotta, Termeh Feinberg, Emilie Ludeman, Brian Hutton, Salmaan Kanji, Dugald Seely & Chantelle Garritty

Citedate

2021-07-28

Citation

Wieland, L.S., Piechotta, V., Feinberg, T. et al. Elderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses: a systematic review. BMC Complement Med Ther 21, 112 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-021-03283-5

Publication

BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies

Taxonomy

Pulmonary/ Respiratory