PROPOSAL FOR EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES TO EVALUATE SODIUM-HYPOCHLORITE DIALYSATE IN RETROVIRAL TREATMENT

Sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) is widely used to inactivate retroviruses topically and on environmental surfaces. This proposal establishes the thesis that sodium hypochlorite and its related oxygen free radicals can be administered in minute quantities in vivo to achieve a reductio n in retroviral titer within the infected individual. Published report s of animal studies and accidental sodium hypochlorite infusion in muc h greater concentrations have indicated that the protein depletion and oxidation of sulfhydryl compounds is reversible and possibly preventa ble by administration of disulfide reducing agents. Various methods of infusion can include the ex vivo retroviral inactivation of plasma ut ilizing extracorporeal circulation through a continuous centrifugal pl asma separator. The utilization of infusion of low-concentration sodiu m hypochlorite dialysate for retroviral inactivation merits immediate experimental study. Chlorinated tap-water and table salt ingestion mus t also be among the environmental factors studied for correlation to H IV infection.