In the thread "
Muon's Case", one of the POIS Center members generously shared his blood test results showing elevated levels of
human herpesvirus type 3 (HHV-3, Varicella zoster virus, chickenpox) and human herpesvirus 5 (HHV-5, cytomegalovirus). HHV-5 doesn't seem to be POIS related because it is very common and has few symptoms.
However, HHV-3 has symptoms that are very similar to POIS. I also was infected with HHV-3 as a child. So, I did some reading recently on herpes viruses (herpes simplex virus, HSV) and (human herpesvirus, HHV) and just wanted to share. I assume the herpes HHV-(1,2,3,4,5,6) have similar in basic structure/function. HSV-1 and HSV-2 are also known as HHV-1 and HHV-2 respectively. So I referred to HHV and HSV interchangeably.
HHV-3 infects and is stored in cells of the nervous system (neurons, astrocytes, etc...). Once herpes is activated, it starts to replicate and migrate through the nervous system in the dendrites. In these cells, HSV upregulates COX-2 in order to replicate [A1,A2,A3]. The upregulation of COX-2 by HSV occurs through JNK gene activation [J1,J2,J3]. HSV activation requires both
JNK up-regulation and de-methylation of the herpes DNA [J2,J3]. The authors of this paper were able to stop herpes outbreaks by inhibiting the JNK gene alone [J1,J3]. I tried to summarize my current understanding of the papers [A1,A2,A3,J1,J2,J3] in the below diagram:
Prostaglandins activate JNK. JNK de-methylates viral DNA leading to viral symptoms. JNK also up-regulates COX-2 to produce more prostaglandins. This cycle requires a steady supply of
arachidonic acid. (This diagram is greatly simplified. For example, PGE
2 upregulates IFN-y/TDO/IDO, but that is not shown here.)
Natural JNK inhibitors:Taurine:
During inflammation, taurine is converted into the anti-inflammatory molecule, Taurine chloramine (N-Chlorotaurine), inside of activated
immune cells (neutrophil, macrophage, mast cells, etc...)[D1]. Taurine chloramine then selectively inhibits inflammatory enzymes such as COX-2 [E] and 5-LOX [F]. Taurine has been shown to inhibit HSV
in vitro in human cells [K4] and inhibit JNK activation
in vivo[K1,K2,K3] in animals.
PQQ:
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) downregulates every known inflammatory pathway, including JNK, NF-kB, COX-2 and several cytokines [L1,L2]. However, PQQ is believed to have poor bioavailability. So it is not clear how much is actually absorbed in the body.
Possible sourceMethylators: The HSV virus replicates in a low methylation environment. There is already plenty of discussion of methyl donors in this thread. So I'll just refer to the below diagram. Purple arrows inserted by me:
(1)SAMe, (2)TMG (betaine) or choline, (3)B12, (4)B6, (5)B9 (metafolin)
COX-2 inhibitors: My neurologist once prescribed the COX-2 inhibitor, indomethacin, to me to treat orgasm induced headaches. I didn't take it at the time because indomethacin has longterm side effects on the stomach and liver. Recently, I tested indomethacin (~30 min prior to sex) without taking the POIS Cascade Stack for one-week. Indomethacin alone stopped 85% of my POIS symptoms. Their was some mild discomfort in my left ear and left side of forehead. This discomfort did not effect my productivity at work. I took a second dose of indomethacin the next day along with a Gen-1 H1-histamine receptor blocker, and all of my POIS symptoms were gone.
Gallic acid:
Because of the side-effects of indomethacin, I find it unexceptable as a longterm treatment. One alternative could be Gallic acid. Gallic acid is a 10 times stronger COX-2 inhibitor than indomethacin, and it is also a strong mast cell stabilizer [G1]. Gallic acid is a moderate herpes simplex virus (HSV) inhibitor [H1,H2] although the anti-viral medicine
Acyclovir was 100 times more effective than Gallic acid [H1]. Gallic acid is found in tea leaves, cocao and apple cider vinegar.
More info here. I don't know if a herpes is a cause of POIS, but it seems interesting. Muon's blood test results also showed a possible candida infection. So there could be other infections. I hope this sparks some discussion and ideas of a cause.
References:A1.
Kaposi's sarcoma associated herpes virus (KSHV) induced COX-2: a key factor in latency, inflammation, angiogenesis, cell survival and invasion.A2.
COX-2 Induction during Murine Gammaherpesvirus 68 Infection Leads to Enhancement of Viral Gene ExpressionA3.
Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 Are Required for Production of Infectious Pseudorabies VirusA4.
Activation of Monocyte Cyclooxygenase-2 Gene Expression by Human Herpesvirus 6: ROLE FOR CYCLIC AMP-RESPONSIVE ELEMENT-BINDING PROTEIN AND ACTIVATOR PROTEIN-1D1.
Taurine chloramineE.
Selective inhibition of cyclooxygenase 2-generated prostaglandin E2 synthesis in rheumatoid arthritis synoviocytes by taurine chloramine.F.
Influence of taurine and a substituted taurine on the respiratory burst pathway in the inflammatory responseG.
Cost effective alternatives for omega-3: Gallic acidH1.
Anti-HSV-1 and anti-HIV-1 activity of gallic acid and pentyl gallateH2.
Evaluation of Anti-HSV-2 Activity of Gallic Acid and Pentyl GallateI1.
Effects of caffeine and paracetamol alone or in combination with acetylsalicylic acid on prostaglandin E2 synthesis in rat microglial cellsI2.
Caffeine Promotes Ultraviolet B-induced Apoptosis in Human Keratinocytes without Complete DNA RepairJ1.
Discovery shows how herpes simplex virus reactivates in neurons to trigger diseaseJ2.
JNK-mediated induction of cyclooxygenase 2 is required for neurodegeneration in a mouse model of Parkinson's diseaseJ3.
Neuronal Stress Pathway Mediating a Histone Methyl/Phospho Switch Is Required for Herpes Simplex Virus ReactivationK1.
Taurine Protects Mouse Liver Against Arsenic-Induced Apoptosis Through JNK Pathway.K2.
Taurine reduces FK506-induced generation of ROS and activation of JNK and Bax in Madin Darby canine kidney cells.K3.
Taurine suppresses doxorubicin-triggered oxidative stress and cardiac apoptosis in rat via up-regulation of PI3-K/Akt and inhibition of p53, p38-JNKK4.
Activity of N-chlorotaurine against herpes simplex- and adenoviruses.L1.
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ) Inhibits Lipopolysaccharide Induced Inflammation in Part via Downregulated NF-κB and p38/JNK Activation in Microglial and Attenuates Microglia Activation in Lipopolysaccharide Treatment MiceL2.
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Decelerates Rheumatoid Arthritis Progression by Inhibiting Inflammatory Responses and Joint Destruction via Modulating NF-κB and MAPK Pathways.