Dextran sulfate is one of the older agents known to block HIV transmission in vitro (i.e., test tube). When it was tested in patients infected with HIV, however, it didn't reduce the blood-circulating levels of the virus. This often happens with potential anti-HIV agents, which seem to work well in vitro, but then fail in clinical testing.
Still, it's entirely possible that agents like dextran sulfate might be effective in blocking the HIV infection of mucosal membranes during sexual intercourse. For AIDS researchers, this is something of the holy grail, if they could develop a "chemical" barrier as an adjunct to the "physical" barrier of condoms. This is especially important in the third-world, where women often cannot induce their male partners to use condoms. Initially, it was thought that the spermicide nonoxynol-9 would fit this role, as it is very efficient in killing the AIDS virus in vitro. Nevertheless, nonoxynol-9 also has the unfortunate habit of inflamming mucosal membranes, actually making them more susceptible to HIV transmission during sex. This was found out only after years of clinical testing.
You'll note that the clinical testing of dextran sulfate will be conducted by British scientists, not Americans. That is not very surprising, since the George W. administration is committed to stopping HIV transmission through tutorials/lessons in abstinence. Much of the government funding has been cut off for promising research in anti-HIV gels. Gee, I guess this turned into a political comment. Sorry about that...
Dextran sulfate is one of the older agents known to block HIV transmission in vitro (i.e., test tube). When it was tested in patients infected with HIV, however, it didn't reduce the blood-circulating levels of the virus. This often happens with potential anti-HIV agents, which seem to work well in vitro, but then fail in clinical testing.
Still, it's entirely possible that agents like dextran sulfate might be effective in blocking the HIV infection of mucosal membranes during sexual intercourse. For AIDS researchers, this is something of the holy grail, if they could develop a "chemical" barrier as an adjunct to the "physical" barrier of condoms. This is especially important in the third-world, where women often cannot induce their male partners to use condoms. Initially, it was thought that the spermicide nonoxynol-9 would fit this role, as it is very efficient in killing the AIDS virus in vitro. Nevertheless, nonoxynol-9 also has the unfortunate habit of inflamming mucosal membranes, actually making them more susceptible to HIV transmission during sex. This was found out only after years of clinical testing.
You'll note that the clinical testing of dextran sulfate will be conducted by British scientists, not Americans. That is not very surprising, since the George W. administration is committed to stopping HIV transmission through tutorials/lessons in abstinence. Much of the government funding has been cut off for promising research in anti-HIV gels. Gee, I guess this turned into a political comment. Sorry about that...
Compounds with -S-H groups (i.e., sulf-hydrals) are indeed fairly aromatic. However, dextran sulfate [i.e., sulf-oxides or -S04] is just an odorless salt.
Actually, the best part of something like dextran sulfate (think, heparin) is that it is highly soluble, so it would readily coat the exposed mucosal membranes.
Most AIDS researchers must learn a sense of the ironic to keep their sanity, when something as obvious as this was not clinically tested earlier in an anti-HIV gel.
Unfortunately it looks like your attempt to purchase VIP membership has failed due to your card being declined. Good news is that we have several other payment options that you could try.
VIP MEMBER
, you are now a VIP member!
We thank you for your purchase!
VIP MEMBER
, Thank you for becoming VIP member!
Membership should be activated shortly. You'll receive notification!
