Naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, used at low dose (1-5 mgs) is part of the FLCCC i-Recover Protocol (January 19, 2022). In murine models involving adipose tissue macrophages, it acts to block LPS induction of proinflammatory mediators such as IL-6 indicating it may be a TLR4 antagonist (Choubey A et al., J Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, Sept 2020) and potentially may useful to tame inflammation in COVID-19 or long haul patients. Interestingly, in hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCC), agents able to block the mu-opioid receptor suppresses HCC via CD147-p53-MAPK cascade (Zhang JJ et al., Am J Transl Res May 2021) implying naltrexone may also reverse immunosenescence in sebocytes and foamy macrophages. Finally, azithromycin, a broad spectrum antibiotic against gram positive bacteria used against malaria, may block the CD147- spike interaction (Ulrich H & Pillat MM. Stem Cell Rev Rep June 2020) preventing the CD147 mediated proinflammatory induction in COVID-19 patients by SARS-CoV-2 (Geng J et al., Signal Transduction Target Therapy, 2021). Both agents then, might be useful for inclusion in the early treatment protocol in the 'test and treat' strategy to end the pandemic.
Naltrexone, an opioid receptor antagonist, used at low dose (1-5 mgs) is part of the FLCCC i-Recover Protocol (January 19, 2022). In murine models involving adipose tissue macrophages, it acts to block LPS induction of proinflammatory mediators such as IL-6 indicating it may be a TLR4 antagonist (Choubey A et al., J Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, Sept 2020) and potentially may useful to tame inflammation in COVID-19 or long haul patients. Interestingly, in hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HCC), agents able to block the mu-opioid receptor suppresses HCC via CD147-p53-MAPK cascade (Zhang JJ et al., Am J Transl Res May 2021) implying naltrexone may also reverse immunosenescence in sebocytes and foamy macrophages. Finally, azithromycin, a broad spectrum antibiotic against gram positive bacteria used against malaria, may block the CD147- spike interaction (Ulrich H & Pillat MM. Stem Cell Rev Rep June 2020) preventing the CD147 mediated proinflammatory induction in COVID-19 patients by SARS-CoV-2 (Geng J et al., Signal Transduction Target Therapy, 2021). Both agents then, might be useful for inclusion in the early treatment protocol in the 'test and treat' strategy to end the pandemic.