Solange Lisboa De Castro

PubMed2006

The effect of Bulgarian propolis against Trypanosoma cruzi and during its interaction with host cells.

Propolis has shown activity against pathogenic microorganisms that cause diseases in humans and animals. The ethanol (Et-Blg) and acetone (Ket-Blg) extracts from a Bulgarian propolis, with known chemical compositions, presented similar activity against tissue culture-derived amastigotes. The treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi-infected skeletal muscle cells with Et-Blg led to a decrease of infection and of the intracellular proliferation of amastigotes, while damage to the host cell was observed only at concentration 12.5 times higher than those affecting the parasite. Ultrastructural analysis of the effect of both extracts in epimastigotes revealed that the main targets were the mitochondrion and reservosomes. Et-Blg also affected the mitochondrion-kinetoplast complex in trypomastigotes, offering a potential target for chemotherapeutic agents.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Trace elements, innate immune response and parasites.

Micronutrient deficiencies and infectious disease often coexist and show complex interactions leading to mutually reinforced detrimental clinical effects. Such a combination is predominantly observed in underprivileged people of developing countries, particularly in rural regions. Several micronutrients such as trace elements (zinc, iron, selenium) modulate immune function and influence the susceptibility of the host to infection. Nevertheless, the effect of individual micronutrients on components of innate immunity is difficult to design and interpret. Micronutrient deficiency, in general, has a widespread effect on nearly all components of the innate immune response. Chagas' disease is a pertinent model to study interaction of nutrition, immunity and infection, as it implies many components of innate immunity. An important question is whether alterations on micronutrient intake modify the course of infection. Some interactions of trace elements with innate immunity and acute inflammatory response are reviewed in this article with a special focus on selenium deficiency and Trypanosoma cruzi infection.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗