Genetic factors in cold soresAssociations between host genetic variants and Herpes Simplex Labialis in the TwinsUK cohort.
We explored how a specific genetic variant associated with vitamin D might influence the occurrence of cold sores, also known as Herpes Simplex Labialis (HSL). Our research involved nearly 1,800 participants from the TwinsUK registry, with a focus on a group of 595 that completed both blood tests and questionnaires regarding their cold sore experiences.
From the participants surveyed, 235 reported having experienced cold sores at least once, and out of these, 160 indicated that they had recurrent episodes. While we investigated several genetic variants, including three commonly discussed in relation to cold sores, we found no significant links between these particular SNPs and the occurrence or recurrence of cold sores.
However, our analysis did reveal a noteworthy association with a genetic variation in the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene. This variant was significantly correlated with both the history of cold sore outbreaks and their frequency. While this suggests a potential relationship between vitamin D-related genetics and cold sore experiences, it does not mean that vitamin D treatment has a proven direct effect on reducing these occurrences.
Overall, our findings provide an intriguing glimpse into the genetic factors that may play a role in cold sore reactivation, especially as it pertains to the VDR gene. Yet, since we didn't explore the direct effects of vitamin D supplementation, more research would be needed to conclusively determine how vitamin D treatment might influence cold sore frequency.
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Calcium spirulan may help cold soresCalcium spirulan derived from Spirulina platensis inhibits herpes simplex virus 1 attachment to human keratinocytes and protects against herpes labialis.
We investigated the potential of calcium spirulan, a compound derived from the microalga Spirulina platensis, to help prevent cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). In a thorough study, we assessed the effectiveness of this sulfated polysaccharide both in laboratory tests and through a practical trial involving people with recurring herpes labialis, also known as cold sores.
Our approach included examining how calcium spirulan affected the virus’s ability to attach to human skin cells. Using various experiments such as plaque reduction assays and analyzing viral proteins, we confirmed that calcium spirulan had significant inhibitory effects on HSV-1. In the practical trial, we compared the effects of topical calcium spirulan treatment against other commonly used antiviral medications among 198 participants, all of whom dealt with repeat cold sore outbreaks.
The results suggest that calcium spirulan could be a valuable option for topical treatment, offering new hope for those who suffer from cold sores. Additionally, our findings indicate that calcium spirulan may also show effectiveness against other herpesviruses. This points to the broader clinical implications of using natural compounds like calcium spirulan in managing viral infections.
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