★★★★★
from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27031833/
DMSO Represses Inflammatory Cytokine Production from Human Blood Cells and Reduces Autoimmune Arthritis
Abstract
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is currently used as an alternative treatment for various inflammatory conditions as well as for cancer. Despite its widespread use, there is a paucity of data regarding its safety and efficacy as well as its mechanism of action in human cells. Herein, we demonstrate that DMSO has ex-vivo anti-inflammatory activity using Escherichia coli- (E. coli) and herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1)-stimulated whole human blood. Specifically, we found that between 0.5%-2%, DMSO significantly suppressed the expression of many pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). However, a significant reduction in monocyte viability was also observed at 2% DMSO, suggesting a narrow window of efficacy. Anti-inflammatory concentrations of DMSO suppressed E. coli-induced ERK1/2, p38, JNK and Akt phosphorylation, suggesting DMSO acts on these signaling pathways to suppress inflammatory cytokine/chemokine production. Although DMSO induces the differentiation of B16/F10 melanoma cells in vitro, topical administration of DMSO to mice subcutaneously implanted with B16 melanoma cells was ineffective at reducing tumor growth, DMSO was also found to block mouse macrophages from polarizing to either an M1- or an M2-phenotype, which may contribute to its inability to slow tumor growth. Topical administration of DMSO, however, significantly mitigated K/BxN serum-induced arthritis in mice, and this was associated with reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the joints and white blood cell levels in the blood. Thus, while we cannot confirm the efficacy of DMSO as an anti-cancer agent, the use of DMSO in arthritis warrants further investigation to ascertain its therapeutic potential.
Cytokine Storms
★★★★★
The only drug known to inhibit the excessive production of reactive species and cytokines is methylene blue, a low-cost dye with antiseptic properties used effectively to treat malaria, urinary tract infections, septic shock, and methaemoglobinaemia.The relatively poor efficacy of anti-cytokine drugs is explained by the fact that they act on one or a few of the dozens of cytokines involved, and because other mediators of inflammation – reactive oxygen and nitrogen species – are not targeted. When produced in excess, reactive species cause extensive cell and tissue damage.
Cytokine Storms
★★★★★
Using Methylene Blue is not just a hypothesis.Regarding using methylene blue(MB) against COVID-19 ARDS, there is an Indian doctor, Dr Deepak Golwalkar, who, as a pulmonologist and lung specialist, has been using his nebulized/sublingual MB treatment for quite a while and with great success for his pneumonia patients and for his COVID-19 patients with ARDS. Here is his website, which details his treatment:
https://medium.com/@dr.deepak.golwalkar/treatment-for-covid-19-using-methylene-blue-d23fc5a31a4d
Interestingly, Dr Golwalkar also uses exactly the same concentration of MB for nebulizing -- 0.1% methylene blue -- which is the same concentration that Ted from Bangkok recommends.
