Melatonin enhances pro-inflammatory cytokine levels and protects against Chagas disease.

Pro-inflammatory and modulatory cytokines have an essential role in host defense against human and murine Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Control of T. cruzi parasitism during the acute phase of infection is considered to be critically dependent on direct macrophage activation by cytokines.

Could cyclophosphamide exert a protective role avoiding esophagic neuron loss in Calomys callosus infected with Trypanosoma cruzi?

The protective role of cyclophosphamide was studied in this work. Young male Calomys callosus were infected with Trypanosoma cruzi and allowed to age. Cyclophosphamide therapy was administered to animals during acute and late chronic phases of infection.