Influence of galantamine in the oxidative stress caused by the QM2 strain of Trypanosoma Cruzi

• Grant number: 18/14999-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): October 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): September 30, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Protozoology of Parasites
• Principal Investigator: Luciamare Perinetti Alves Martins
• Grantee: Guilherme Donzalisky Pinheiro
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Marília (FAMEMA). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). Marília , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Chagas disease is an infectious disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi protozoan, classified by the World Health Organization not only as a neglected infirmity but as also a public health issue in Latin America. This character is mainly due the relevance of prevention in the control of the disease since its treatment still shows itself in a very challenging way. Despite the fact that the main presentation of the disease is the cardiac form - affecting directly the myocardium - there may be injuries in organs as the esophagus and colon in its digestive form. Knowing that these areas are innervated by the vagus nerve and present cholinergic transmission, the comprehension of the role of the anti-inflammatory cholinergic reflex is a matter of great concern, by which the vagus nerve releases acetylcholine locally, consequently inhibiting and attenuating inflammatory response by reducing the levels of cytokines like TNF-± and IL-1, 6 and 8. Besides, it is also known that oxidative stress has a great influence in the development of lesions in inflammatory diseases like Chagas disease. Various reactive oxygen or nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) interact with tissues, with the ability to lead them to necrosis and apoptosis. The host draws upon antioxidant mechanisms, intending to avoid or revert the damage caused by these reactive species. Thereby, this study intends to investigate the influence of an anticholinesterase drug as galantamine in the oxidative stress caused by the infection from the QM2 strain of T. cruzi in infected Swiss mice.