Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Trypanosoma cruzi: Effects of adrenalectomy during the acute phase of experimental infection

Full text
Author(s):
Guerra-Lopes, Elaine S. [1] ; Caldeira, Jerri C. [2] ; Santos, Carla D. [3] ; Toldo, Miriam P. A. [3] ; Faccioli, Lucia H. [3] ; Sa-Nunes, Anderson [3] ; Albuquerque, Sergio [3] ; Prado, Jr., Jose C. [3]
Total Authors: 8
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Campinas, Inst Biol, Dept Parasitol, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ New Mexico, Fac Med, Dept Microbiol, Albuquerque, NM 87131 - USA
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut Ribeirao Preto, Dept Anal Clin Toxicol & Bromatol, BR-14040903 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Experimental Parasitology; v. 120, n. 1, p. 10-14, SEP 2008.
Web of Science Citations: 1
Abstract

Glucocorticoid hormones have been implicated as an important modulator of Trypanosoma cruzi pathogenesis. Since adrenal steroid hormones play a fundamental role in modulating the immune response, we hypothesized that adrenalectomy affect the course of the experimental T. cruzi infection. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of adrenalectomy during the acute phase of T cruzi infection. Blood and tissue parasitism, macrophages, nitric oxide (NO) production and IFN-gamma were evaluated in male Wistar rats infected with the Y strain of T. cruzi. Our results show that adrenalectomized rats displayed increased number of blood and heart parasites accompanied by decreases in the total number of peritoneal macrophages and IFN-gamma when compared to controls. Adrenalectomy also reduced the levels of NO released from peritoneal macrophages of infected animals. These results suggest that adrenal corticosteroid insufficiency due to adrenalectomy could be considered an important factor during development of acute phases of experimental Chagas' disease, enhancing pathogenesis through disturbance of the host's immune system. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier Inc. (AU)