The evaluation of protective effects of different antioxidants against the toxic effect of herpes simplex virus i glycoprotein D used in vaccine formulations

According to the data of the World Health Organization in 2016, 3.7 billion people under the age of 50 are infected with Herpes Simplex Virus -1 (HSV-1). HSV-1 infection is usually asymptomatic. The virus produces a latency period in neurons and can escape the immune system and infect the host for life. HSV-1 can reduce the quality of life by manifesting such as neonatal herpes or genital herpes. There is no vaccine and treatment for HSV-1. In addition, recent studies indicate that HSV-1 plays a role in oxidative stress and the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. In this thesis, the effect of glycoprotein D (gD), the most frequently used protein of HSV-1 in vaccine studies, alone or in combination with absorbic acid and sodium selenite, on oxidative stress parameters in neuroblastoma cell line was investigated. In this context, total glutathione (GSH) levels, lipid peroxidation by-products namely malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE) and 8-isoprostane levels and protein carbonyl levels, which are indicators of protein oxidation, were measured. The thesis results showed that administration of HSV-1 gD with sodium selenite and ascorbic acid increased ROS levels. There was no significant difference in terms of total GSH and protein carbonyl levels compared to the control in gD applied group. As a result, it was determined that gD did not statistically increase any of the by-products of lipid peroxidation and did not cause lipid peroxidation. In addition, it was determined that in gD exposed group there were no changes in the total GSH levels and protein oxidation levels. It was found that ascorbic acid and sodium selenite applied as antioxidants were not protective against gD. In vitro and in vivo studies are needed to evaluate the toxic effects of gD in detail. Since gD does not cause oxidative stress, it seems appropriate to be used in vaccines. In addition, other HSV-1 viral proteins need to be evaluated for oxidative stress.