Benznidazole and Curcumin: Evaluation of metabolic, lipid and neuroimmunoendocrine changes in Wistar rats infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.

• Grant number: 23/02254-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2023
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Vânia Brazão Muniz
• Grantee: Vânia Brazão Muniz
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Angelita Maria Stabile ; José Clóvis do Prado Júnior ; Riccardo Lacchini
• Associated scholarship(s): 24/21546-6 - Chronic Chagas Disease: analysis of oxidative mechanisms in animals infected and treated with Curcumin DS17, BP.IC; 24/14081-7 - Curcumin DS17: Evaluation of immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects in Wistar rats infected by Trypanosoma cruzi, BP.IC

Abstract

he evolution of chagasic infection is strongly influenced by the balance of the immune-endocrine system and although the immunological mechanisms that provide protection or promote the formation of cardiac lesions during infection by Trypanosoma cruzi are still not completely understood, studies show that chronic Chagas heart disease it has a worse prognosis than dilated cardiomyopathies of a non-inflammatory nature, resulting from an exacerbated immune response. Another important factor that may also be involved in the progression of Chagas disease is the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROSs). It is known that high levels of these in the tissues contribute to oxidative stress, generating tissue damage that reflects on the severity of Chagas disease. The modulation of immunological responses to the administration of pharmacologically active substances in experimental models infected with Trypanosoma cruzi has contributed significantly to the investigation of new therapies for Chagas disease. The cardioprotective and antioxidant actions of curcumin have been increasingly studied. Therefore, the proposal consists of carrying out a more detailed study of the immuno-endocrine changes that occur during the evolution of Chagas disease, evaluating the actions of curcumin when administered in combination with benzonidazole. Thus, the proposal of this work is unprecedented, since there are no works available that describe the effects of solid dispersion of curcumin (DS17) in animals infected with T cruzi. The results of this work, as well as the analysis of the involvement of the processes of apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, remodeling and cardiac dysfunction during Chagas infection will be of great importance in the development of future immune - therapeutic intervention strategies that aim to provide the host with a direction efficient immune response during infection. (AU)