Aim: The aim of the present study was to determine of antioxidant capacity/oxidative stress biomarkers in Vero cell line inoculated with Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV-1).

Materials and Methods: Cell supernatants were collected during 21 hours (15 min interval at first hour, 1 hour interval by 6th hour, 30 min interval at 6th -10th hours, 1 hour interval at 6th-21th hour) after HSV-1 inoculations. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) enzymes, glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) values were analyzed from the test media by commercially available ELISA kits. In addition to this, cytopathogenic effects (CPE) of HSV-1 in cell culture were evaluated periodically by invert microscope.

Results: In this research, CPE of HSV-1 was observed at 6th hour post-inoculation. Maximum and minimum levels of SOD were determined at 17th and 1st hours, respectively. Minimum levels of CAT and GPX were determined at 18th and 7th hour, respectively. Minimum level of GSH was determined at first 30 minutes whereas maximum level of GSH was measured at 10th hours. MDA levels suddenly increased at 3rd hours and MDA reached maximum level at 18th hour. The SOD and GSH levels, important markers of oxidative stress, were reduced on HSV-1 before the formation CPE.

Conclusion: It is concluded that lipid peroxidation may occur in the pathogenesis of HSV-1 and antioxidant treatment may be useful in the therapy of HSV-1 infection.