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NEUROPHARMACOLOGY

Bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin) Inhibits Nicotine-Induced Viral Reactivation in Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Latent Rabbits

Department of Ophthalmology, Louisiana State University Eye Center (M.E.M., A.A., E.R.R., H.W.T., J.M.H.), Departments of Microbiology (J.M.H.) and Pharmacology (J.M.H.), and Neuroscience Center (J.M.H.), Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana; Department of Pharmacology, Tulane University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana (N.T.N.); and Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, Baton Rouge, Louisiana (S.B.)

We reported that nicotine applied via a transdermal patch (21 mg/day) induced viral reactivation and ocular shedding in herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) latent rabbits. One possible mechanism of action involves the release of catecholamines and other similar agents, triggering HSV reactivation. Bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin), a non-nicotine aid to smoking cessation, inhibits neuronal uptake of norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine. To determine whether bupropion inhibits HSV reactivation, rabbits latent with HSV-1 were grouped (at least 10 rabbits/group) and treated as follows: nicotine patch (transdermal delivery) and bupropion [Zyban sustained-release tablets (150 mg) twice a day (oral)], nicotine patch only, Zyban tablets only [twice a day (oral)], nicotine patch with oral placebo [twice a day (oral)], or no drug treatment. Eyes were swabbed for 22 consecutive days. The appearance of HSV-1 in the tear film was significantly less frequent in the bupropion-treated rabbits, in terms of positive rabbits/total rabbits, positive eyes/total eyes, and positive swabs/total swabs. Nicotine-treated rabbits had 78/440 (17.7%) positive/total swabs, and nicotine/placebo-treated rabbits had 149/792 (18.8%) positive/total swabs, whereas bupropion-treated rabbits had 23/440 (5.2%), and nicotine/bupropion-treated rabbits had 47/792 (5.9%) positive/total swabs. Thus, bupropion significantly reduces nicotine-induced HSV reactivation in latent rabbits.

Address correspondence to: James M. Hill, Louisiana State University Eye Center, 2020 Gravier Street, Suite B, New Orleans, LA 70112-2234. E-mail: jhill{at}lsuhsc.edu