Immunomodulatory effects of zinc and DHEA on the Th-1 immune response in rats infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

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• 作者：Vâ ; nia Brazã ; o ; Fabricia Helena Santello ; Leony Cristina Caetano ; Marina Del Vecchio Filipin ; Mí ; riam Paula Alonso Toldo ; José ; Cló ; vis do Prado Jr.
• 关键词：Trypanosoma cruzi ; Zinc ; DHEA ; Peritoneal macrophages ; Interferon gamma (IFN-γ ; ) ; Nitric oxide (NO)
• 刊名：Immunobiology
• 出版年：2010
• 出版时间：May 2010
• 年：2010
• 卷：215
• 期：5
• 页码：427-434
• 全文大小：256 K

文摘

Chagas’ disease is considered the sixth most important neglected tropical disease worldwide. Considerable knowledge has been accumulated concerning the role of zinc on cellular immunity. The steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is also known to modulate the immune system. The aims of this paper were to investigate a possible synchronization of their effects on cytokines and NO production and the resistance to Trypanosoma cruzi during the acute phase of infection. It was found that zinc, DHEA or zinc and DHEA supplementation enhanced the immune response, as evidenced by a significant reduction in parasitemia levels. Zinc and DHEA supplementation exerted additive effects on the immune response by elevation of macrophage counts, and by increasing concentrations of IFN-γ and NO.