The trypanocidal activity of catechins on Trypanosoma cruzi bloodstream trypomastigotes has been previously reported. Herein, we present the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg) on parasitemia and survival in a murine model of acute Chagas' disease as well as on the epimastigote form of the parasite. Upon intraperitoneal administration of daily doses of 0.8 mg/kg/day of EGCg for 45 days, mice survival rates increased from 11% to 60%, while parasitemia diminished to 50%. No side effects were observed in EGCg-treated animals. Fifty percent inhibition of epimastigotes growth was achieved with 311 microM EGCg 120 h after drug addition. No lysis, total culture growth inhibition or morphological changes were observed upon addition of 1-3mM EGCg at 24 h. This treatment also produced oligosomal fragmentation of epimastigotes DNA, suggesting a programmed cell death (PCD)-like process. All these findings point out EGCg as a potential new lead compound for chemotherapy of Chagas' disease.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.exppara.2007.04.015 | DOI Listing |
Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg
January 2025
Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte 59078-900, Natal, Brazil.
Background: Determining esophageal and colon involvement in patients with Chagas disease occurs through invasive and uncomfortable examinations, which in most cases are not performed. The objective of this study was to assess the involvement of anti-M2-pyruvate kinase (M2-PK) autoantibodies in the development of digestive alterations and/or in the diagnosis of the digestive form of human Chagas disease.
Methods: The total IgG and isotype (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4) production was quantified using the antigen of Trypanosoma cruzi and the human M2-PK recombinant protein via the ELISA technique.
PLoS Negl Trop Dis
January 2025
Centro de Investigaciones Epidemiológica y Salud Pública (CIESP-IECS) CONICET.
Background: Trypanosoma cruzi is a protozoan parasite which causes Chagas disease. Mother-to-child transmission is the main route of transmission in vector-free areas. Congenital Chagas disease refers specifically to cases arising from this route of transmission.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActa Parasitol
January 2025
Edificio D, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, LADISER Inmunología y Biología Molecular, Universidad Veracruzana, Orizaba, Veracruz, México.
Despite being the most relevant and critical option for managing Chagas disease, pharmacological therapy is currently limited by the availability of only two drugs, benznidazole and nifurtimox. Their effectiveness is further restricted in the chronic phase of the infection, as they induce severe side effects and require prolonged treatment. Additionally, the use of these drugs can lead to the emergence of substantial resistance problems, compounded by the potential natural resistance of some parasite isolates.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJCI Insight
January 2025
Department of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease, Tulane University, New Orleans, United States of America.
Chagas disease is a neglected tropical disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi with clinical presentations ranging from asymptomatic to cardiac and/or gastrointestinal complications. The mechanisms of pathogenesis are still poorly understood, but T. cruzi strain diversity may be associated with disease progression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFmSystems
January 2025
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, California, USA.
Infectious disease treatment success requires symptom resolution (clinical treatment success), which often but not always involves pathogen clearance. Both of these treatment goals face disease-specific and general challenges. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge in mechanisms of clinical and parasitological treatment failure in the context of Chagas disease, a neglected tropical disease causing cardiac and gastrointestinal symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!