WASHINGTON, March 7 (Xinhua) -- A compound derived from fats
found in fish oils prevents death in influenza-virus-infected
mice, even at advanced stages of disease, according to a study
published Thursday in the journal Cell. Flu viruses are a major
cause of death and sickness around the world, and antiviral
drugs currently do not protect the most seriously ill patients.
The study offers a promising strategy for the treatment of
patients with severe influenza virus infections. Currently
available antiviral drugs inhibit influenza virus replication,
but they are not typically effective when given to patients as
little as two days after infection. In an attempt to discover
more effective drug targets for influenza, scientists have
recently identified several genes and molecules that are crucial
for influenza virus replication. However, until now it was not
known whether naturally occurring lipids, such as those derived
from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) found in fish
oils, might also be involved i