Statins as coadjuvant to treatment of Chagas disease and Leishmaniasis

Author(s)

Kelly Cristina Rodrigues

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Ribeirão Preto.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC)
• Defense date: 2014-01-31

Examining board members

Sérgio de Albuquerque; Fernanda de Freitas Anibal; Jairo Kenupp Bastos; Marcos José Marques; Mauro Toledo Marrelli

• Advisor: Sérgio de Albuquerque

Abstract

Over recent years, neglected diseases has been a problem to the scientific community and health associations due the absence of total efficacy of drugs, and by their potential side effects. Chagas\' disease and Leishmaniasis - both caused respectively by Trypanosoma cruzi and by parasites the genus Leishmania fit on this profile. Aiming to find an alternative treatment of these parasitosis we evaluated the potential therapeutic of three statins (simvastatin, pravatatin, and mevastatin) which are commercially employed for treatment of high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, based on the similarity of the biochemical route of cholesterol and ergosterol formation, being the ergosterol a component of plasmatic membrane of these protozoa. In vitro and in vivo evaluation were made by the association of these statins with benznidazole and amphotericin B used for Chagas\' disease and Leishmaniasis treatment respectively, hypothesizing that the replacement of benznidazole/amphotericin B or the reduction of the doses in combination with statins as coadjuvants could provide better treatment and side effects reduction caused by the commercial drugs. In vitro assays under T. cruzi showed significant antiparasitic activity when compared with benzonidazole to all statins. On the other hand in vivo assays showed parasitic reduction only by mevastatin when it was compared with positive control. L. braziliensis and L. major in in vivo assay didn´t show significant results despite the results have been similar to the positive control. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/17108-3 - Can statins be used in the treatment of experimental Chagas disease and Leshmaniasis?
• Grantee: Kelly Cristina Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate