Robert A. Sanchez

AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF CIGARETTE SMOKE PROMOTE THE OXIDATION OF LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEIN BY PEROXIDASES

Oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) by cigarette smoke has been considered a potential mechanism by which smoking may promote atherosclerosis. We report in this study that cigarette smoke extract (CSE) inhibited copper‐induced oxidation of LDL suggesting the presence of antioxidants in CSE. It is currently believed that peroxidases may oxidize LDL in vivo and during such oxidations antioxidants become pro‐oxidants. Accordingly, when LDL was oxidized by peroxidase in the presence of CSE there was an increase in the oxidation of LDL. This is the first study suggesting that smoking may promote atherosclerosis by enhancing peroxidase‐catalyzed lipid peroxidation.

New antiviral agents

During the last three decades, a better understanding of viral replication and disease states caused by viral infections have led to the development of newer antiviral agents with enhanced activity and better tolerability. This review focuses on newer systemic and topical antiviral agents that are used in treatment of herpes viruses including herpes simplex type-1 (HSV-1) and type-2 (HSV-2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and cytomegalovirus CMV) as well as the human papilloma virus (HPV). Included in this article are the agents famiclovir, penciclovir, valganciclovir, imiquimod, docosanole and brivudin.