|
I will pick this discussion up where I left off in my previous reply, by quoting Mathews and van Holde`s: BIOCHEMISTRY, CHAPTER 15. The section of this chapter I will be quoting is titled: Metabolism Of Incompletely Reduced Oxygen:quote" The complete reduction of one molecule of O2 to water is a four-electron process. Oxidative metabolism continually generates partially reduced species of oxygen, wich are far more reactive, and hence potentially more toxic, than O2 itself. A one-electron reduction of O2 yields superoxide ion, O2-; an additional electron yields hydrogen peroxide, H2O2; and a third electron yields a hydroxyl radical, OH.,and a hydroxide ion. Hydroxyl radicals in particular are extremely reactive and represent the most active mutagen derived from from ionizing radiation. All species are generated intracellularly and must be converted to less reactive species if the organism is to survive".End quote. I will be skipping over some paragraphs and picking up from this section what is relevant to my thoughts on BHT therapy. Quote" In some cases the production of reactive oxygen species is not a metabolic accident, but a normal part of the functioning of a cell. For example, certain white blood cells contribute to defence against infectious agents by phagocytosis. Such cells literally engulf a bacterial cell. This event is followed by a respiratory burst, a rapid increase in oxygen uptake, stimulated by mechanisms still under study. Much of this oxygen is reduced to superoxide ion and to H2O2. These compounds contribute to killing of the engulfed bacterium. Thus, while most cells contain elaborate mechanisms to protect against toxicity of reactive oxygen species, the respiratory burst involves a deliberate and controlled production of these species." End of quote. So what does this have to with BHT therapy ? We see that all cells have of necessity evolved mechanisms to deactivate free radical and ionic reactions. Viruses are not cells and do not have this ability. Free radicals and ions are so reactive they readily destroy organic molecules. This includes bacteriums wich are cells and do possess these mechanisms to the point at wich they are overwhelmed by a substantial enough assault by such reactive entities that they are simply overwhelmed and are destroyed. Once again, viruses do not possess any such deactivating mechanisms. The fact that BHT molecules are hydrophobic forces them to be attracted to and incorporated into lipid coated viruses. This includes the AIDS and hepatitis B and C viruses along with a very many others. A simple experiment to prove this is to take a glass of water, add any vegatable oil and some BHT and shake the container. You will see that the BHT molecules become incorporated into the oil. Any oil will work such a motor oil. The raeson is simple: dipolar liquids such as water do not mix with non-polar liquids such as oils and lipids. BHT was originally created to prevent the oxidation of food that contains oils or lipids. It is also used for the same purpose for such things as gasoline. It does so because it is much more readily oxidized than the products it is added to. The reason for this is a result of the tertiary structure of the tert-butyl groups attached to the aromatic ring. The reaction order is tertiary, secondary, primary. I am tired and will end this discussion for now as it gets more complicated and I need to be alert to explain it. ...Oscar
|