Topical Absorption of Glutathione-Cyclodextrin Nanoparticle Complex in Healthy Human Subjects Improves Immune Response against Mycobacterium avium Infection.

Glutathione (GSH) is an important intracellular antioxidant responsible for neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our laboratory previously demonstrated that the oral administration of liposomal GSH improves immune function against mycobacterium infections in healthy patients along with patients with HIV and Type 2 diabetes. We aim to determine if the topical application of a glutathione-cyclodextrin nanoparticle complex (GSH-CD) confers a therapeutic effect against mycobacterium infections. In our study, healthy participants received either topical GSH-CD (n = 15) or placebo (n = 15) treatment. Subjects were sprayed four times twice a day for three days topically on the abdomen. Blood draws were collected prior to application, and at 1, 4, and 72 h post-initial topical application. GSH, malondialdehyde (MDA), and cytokine levels were assessed in the processed blood samples of study participants. Additionally, whole blood cultures from study participants were challenged with Mycobacterium avium (M. avium) infection in vitro to assess mycobacterium survival post-treatment. Topical GSH-CD treatment was observed to elevate GSH levels in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and red blood cells and decrease MDA levels in PBMCs 72 h post-treatment. An increase in plasma IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-12p70, and TNF-α was observed at 72 h post-topical GSH-CD treatment. Enhanced mycobacterium clearance was observed at 4 h and 72 h post-topical GSH-CD treatment. Overall, topical GSH-CD treatment was associated with improved immune function against M. avium infection. The findings of this pilot study suggest GSH-cyclodextrin complex formulation can be used topically as a safe alternative mode of GSH delivery in the peripheral blood.

The COVID-19 Illness: Addressing the Current Treatment Limitations and Care Gaps with a Novel Alternative and Complementary Agent-the Glutathione-Cyclodextrin Complex.

We are approaching the fourth year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although great progress has been made in addressing the SARS-CoV-2 infection, there are significant treatment limitations and care gaps that need to be addressed in order to more effectively treat patients critically ill with COVID-19 and the large population of patients with post-COVID symptoms. We highlight the significance of the cytokine storm in the immunothrombotic process of COVID-19 illness. Finally, we present scientific evidence of the utility of a novel complementary therapeutic agent, the glutathione-cyclodextrin complex, that will likely address those limitations and close those gaps. If confirmed by rigorous clinical trials, the complex will have a significant impact on the treatment of the entire spectrum of COVID-19 illness and contribute to the control or resolution of the COVID-19 pandemic.