Inhalation of Microaerosolized Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl): Biochemical, Antimicrobial, and Pathological Assessment

Antimicrobial efficacy, mode of action and in vivo use of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) for prevention or therapeutic support of infections

“…Taurine is present in body fluids in amounts that can reach 0.1% of total body weight and is particularly likely to be involved in the biological effects of HOCl exposure. HOCl and NCT have anti-inflammatory properties which lead to reduced local inflammation, lower infectivity through reduced permeability, and perhaps lower morbidity and mortality overall [ 48 ], [ 49 ]. The verified unique stability and low-level reactivity of NCT are considered essential for both its function in the mammalian defense system and its practical applicability, which manifests itself in an optimal compromise between microbiocidal activity and toxicity [ 50 ], [ 51 ].…”

“…HOCl has been suggested to have a role as an anti-inflammatory agent beyond its direct antiviral efficacy. By inactivating interleukin 6 (IL6), HOCl possibly downregulates mediators of the ‘cytokine storm’ that characterizes clinical deterioration in specific diseases (e.g., COVID-19) [ 48 ], [ 52 ], [ 53 ]. Based on their in vitro studies on the deactivation of IL-6 by HOCl at concentrations reported to develop in vivo , Robins et al [ 54 ] suggest that exogenous HOCl and NCT might bring about beneficial effects in the treatment of COVID-19.…”

“…Externally applied HOCl can play an important role in the protection of respiratory-tract epithelia against viral infections. The importance of an intracellular innate immune response occurring in parallel has also been demonstrated: inhibition of coronavirus infection in cultured epithelial cell lines with externally applied HOCl coincides with intracellular production of HOCl [ 48 ]. Apparently, administered HOCl can foster and complement the intracellular HOCl response with direct extracellular pathogen attacks or by stimulating the intracellular HOCl production rate.…”

“…Apparently, administered HOCl can foster and complement the intracellular HOCl response with direct extracellular pathogen attacks or by stimulating the intracellular HOCl production rate. The connection between HOCl’s extra- and intracellular effects was shown by markedly inhibited rhinovirus replication in primary cultured nasal epithelial cells in which infected cultures had been exposed to HOCl, suggesting that exogenous sources of HOCl may be able to intervene in the maturation of intracellular virions [ 38 ], [ 48 ].…”

“… They attack and deactivate the virus either mid-air or in the early process of linking to and reacting with specific cell-wall receptors. They activate the intrinsic intracellular immune response by increasing the MPO-driven HOCl production or suppression of the interleukin6 storm often observed in early phases of infection with COVID-19 [ 48 ], [ 52 ]. …”