How does HOCl work as an antimicrobial?
HOCl is thought to have antimicrobial properties via a number of different mechanisms, including the inhibition of bacterial plasma membrane proteins involved in energy transduction. This leads to loss of homeostatic control of ions across the membrane and causes cell swelling. Other hypotheses describe as mode of action the oxidation of sulfhydryls protein moieties in the bacterial membrane. HOCl has no cellular toxicity to human cells when used in clinically effective dosages: mammalian bodies regulate the levels of HOCl during the inflammatory response using intrinsic antioxidant defense systems by using compounds such taurine and nitrites to neutralize HOCl and to protect against oxidative damage to cells.
