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Ribeiro Franco PI, do Carmo Neto JR, Guerra RO, Ferreira da Silva PE, Braga YLL, Nunes Celes MR, de Menezes LB, Miguel MP, Machado JR. Melatonin: A look at protozoal and helminths. Biochimie 2024; 219:96-109. [PMID: 37541568 DOI: 10.1016/j.biochi.2023.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Melatonin is a pleiotropic neurohormone found in different animal, plant, and microorganism species. It is a product resulting from tryptophan metabolism in the pineal gland and is widely known for its ability to synchronize the circadian rhythm to antitumor functions in different types of cancers. The molecular mechanisms responsible for its immunomodulatory, antioxidant and cytoprotective effects involve binding to high-affinity G protein-coupled receptors and interactions with intracellular targets that modulate signal transduction pathways. In vitro and in vivo studies have reported the therapeutic potential of melatonin in different infectious and parasitic diseases. In this review, the protective and pathophysiological roles of melatonin in fighting protozoan and helminth infections and the possible mechanisms involved against these stressors will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Igor Ribeiro Franco
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
| | - José Rodrigues do Carmo Neto
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Rhanoica Oliveira Guerra
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Escola de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Priscilla Elias Ferreira da Silva
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
| | - Yarlla Loyane Lira Braga
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Mara Rúbia Nunes Celes
- Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Medicina Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Liliana Borges de Menezes
- Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil; Setor de Patologia Geral, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Marina Pacheco Miguel
- Escola de Veterinária e Zootecnia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciência Animal, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil; Setor de Patologia Geral, Instituto de Patologia Tropical e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Juliana Reis Machado
- Departamento de Patologia, Genética e Evolução, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e Naturais, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, MG, Brazil
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Providello MV, Portapilla GB, Oliveira PAS, da Silva CBP, Anchieta NF, Tirapelli CR, de Albuquerque S. Melatonin decreases circulating Trypanosoma cruzi load with no effect on tissue parasite replication. Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2021; 99:795-802. [PMID: 33296274 DOI: 10.1139/cjpp-2020-0473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cardiac damage during the acute phase of Chagas disease (CD) is associated with an increase in pro-inflammatory markers and oxidative stress. Melatonin (MEL) has emerged as a promising therapy for CD due to its antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties; however, the protective action of MEL in the cardiac tissue, as well as its direct action on the parasite cycle, is not fully understood. We investigated the effects of MEL on heart parasitism in mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi and also its effects on the parasitic proliferation in vitro. Our in vivo study showed that MEL reduced circulating parasitemia load, but did not control tissue (heart, liver, and spleen) parasitism in mice. MEL did not prevent the redox imbalance in the left ventricle of infected mice. Our in vitro findings showed that MEL did not inhibit parasites replication within cells, but rather increased their release from cells. MEL did not control parasitism load in the heart or prevent the cardiac redox imbalance induced by acute T. cruzi infection. The hormone controlled the circulating parasitic load, but within cells MEL accelerated parasitic release, a response that can be harmful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiara Voltarelli Providello
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, DACTB, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gisele Bulhões Portapilla
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, DACTB, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Pedro Alexandre Sampaio Oliveira
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, DACTB, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla Brigagão Pacheco da Silva
- Laboratório de Farmacologia, DEPCH, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Naira Ferreira Anchieta
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, DACTB, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Renato Tirapelli
- Laboratório de Farmacologia, DEPCH, Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sérgio de Albuquerque
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, DACTB, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Melatonin potentials against viral infections including COVID-19: Current evidence and new findings. Virus Res 2020; 287:198108. [PMID: 32768490 PMCID: PMC7405774 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2020.198108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Viral infections are dangerous diseases for human health worldwide, which lead to significant morbidity and mortality each year. Because of their importance and the lack of effective therapeutic approaches, further attempts should be made to discover appropriate alternative or complementary treatments. Melatonin, a multifunctional neurohormone mainly synthesized and secreted by the pineal gland, plays some roles in the treatment of viral infections. Regarding a deadly outbreak of COVID-19 across the world, we decided to discuss melatonin functions against various viral infections including COVID-19. Therefore, in this review, we summarize current evidence on melatonin therapy for viral infections with focus on possible underlying mechanisms of melatonin actions.
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T. cruzi infection among aged rats: Melatonin as a promising therapeutic molecule. Exp Gerontol 2020; 135:110922. [PMID: 32151734 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2020.110922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 02/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Although T. cruzi was identified as the cause of Chagas disease more than 100 years ago, satisfactory treatments still do not exist, especially for chronic disease. Here we review work suggesting that melatonin could have promise as a Chagas therapeutic. Melatonin has remarkably diverse actions. It is an immunomodulator, an anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant, a free radical scavenger, and has antiapoptotic and anti-aging effects. The elderly (aged 60 years or more) as a group are growing faster than any other age group. Here we discuss the major effects and the mechanisms of action of melatonin on aged T. cruzi-infected rats. Melatonin's protective effects may be consequences of its cooperative antioxidant and immunomodulatory actions. Melatonin modulates oxidative damage, inducing an antioxidant response and reversing age-related thymus regression. Its protective actions could be the result of its anti-apoptotic activity, and by its counteracting the excessive production of corticosterone. This review describes our work showing that host age plays an important and variable influence on the progression of systemic T. cruzi infection and supporting the hypothesis that melatonin should be considered as a powerful therapeutic compound with multiple activities that can improve host homeostasis during experimental T. cruzi infection.
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Zamani S, Hoseini AZ, Namin AM. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity can modulate macrophage response to Leishmania major infection. Int Immunopharmacol 2019; 69:178-183. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.01.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2018] [Revised: 12/22/2018] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Is the adaptive immune response in murine Trypanosoma cruzi infection influenced by zinc supplementation? Eur J Pharm Sci 2018; 111:330-336. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2017.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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The potential use of melatonin to treat protozoan parasitic infections: A review. Biomed Pharmacother 2017; 97:948-957. [PMID: 29136773 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2017.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Revised: 11/01/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a circadian hormone produced in vertebrates by the pineal gland and other organs. Melatonin is believed to influence immune cells leading to modulation of the proliferative response of stimulated lymphocytes as well as cytokine production. Due to the antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of melatonin, it is suggested that this molecule could be a therapeutic alternative agent to fight bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections by a variety of mechanisms. Herein, we review the effects of melatonin on the cell biology of protozoan parasites and host's immune response. In toxoplasmosis, African trypanosomiasis and Chagas' disease, melatonin enhances host's immune response against the parasite via regulating the secretion of inflammatory mediators. In amoebiasis, melatonin reduces the amoebic lesions as well as increasing the leukophagocytosis and the number of dead amoebae. In giardiasis, serum melatonin levels are elevated in these patients; this suggests a positive correlation between the level of melatonin and phagocytic activity in the G. duodenalis infected patients, possibly related to melatonin's immunomodulatory effect. In leishmaniasis, melatonin arrests parasite replication accompanied by releasing mitochondrial Ca2+ into the cytosol, increasing the level of mitochondrial nitrites as well as reducing superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. In malaria, melatonin synchronizes the Plasmodium cell cycle via modulating cAMP-PKA and IP3-Ca2+ pathways. Thus, simultaneous administration of melatonin agonists or giving pharmacological doses of melatonin may be considered a novel approach for treatment of malarial infection.
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Brazão V, Colato RP, Santello FH, Filipin MDV, Toldo MPA, do Vale GT, Tirapelli CR, do Prado Júnior JC. Interleukin-17, oxidative stress, and inflammation: role of melatonin during Trypanosoma cruzi infection. J Pineal Res 2015; 59:488-96. [PMID: 26432539 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Although the exact etiology of Chagas' disease remains unknown, the inflammatory process and oxidative stress are believed to be the main contributors to the dysfunction and pathogenesis during chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Our hypothesis is that melatonin administered for 2 months daily could modulate the oxidative stress and the inflammatory response during the chronic infection. Flow cytometric analysis of macrophages and antigen-presenting cells (APC), expression of RT1B as well as LFA-1 and MCP-1 in CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells and levels of interleukin-17A were assessed. The oxidative stress was evaluated through lipid peroxidation (LPO) analysis on the plasma of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and nitric oxide production. Decreased concentrations of nitrite and TBARS were found in infected and melatonin-treated animals, as well as a rising trend in the production of IL-17A as compared to infected and untreated counterparts. A significant decrease was found in the percentages of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes MCP-1 producers for infected and melatonin-treated rats. Reduced percentage of CD8(+) T cells producing LFA-1 was observed in control and melatonin-treated animals as compared to untreated rats. The cellular response of peritoneal APC cells and macrophages significantly dropped in infected and treated animals. As an endpoint, the use of antioxidant compounds such as melatonin emerges as a new and promising approach to control the oxidative stress during the chronic Chagas' disease partially mediated through the abrogation of LPO and the prevention of the inflammatory response and can be used for further investigation on treatment trials for other infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vânia Brazão
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafaela Pravato Colato
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Fabricia Helena Santello
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Marina Del Vecchio Filipin
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Míriam Paula Alonso Toldo
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Tavares do Vale
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Human Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacology, College of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos Renato Tirapelli
- Department of Psychiatric Nursing and Human Sciences, Laboratory of Pharmacology, College of Nursing of Ribeirão Preto, USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - José Clóvis do Prado Júnior
- College of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Ribeirão Preto (FCFRP), University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Brazão V, Filipin MDV, Santello FH, Azevedo AP, Toldo MPA, de Morais FR, do Prado JC. Immunomodulatory properties and anti-apoptotic effects of zinc and melatonin in an experimental model of chronic Chagas disease. Immunobiology 2015; 220:626-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2014.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2014] [Revised: 11/18/2014] [Accepted: 11/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Brazão V, Santello FH, Filipin MDV, Azevedo AP, Toldo MPA, de Morais FR, do Prado JC. Immunoregulatory actions of melatonin and zinc during chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection. J Pineal Res 2015; 58:210-8. [PMID: 25611919 DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
After one century of the discovery of Chagas' disease and the development of an efficient drug with amplitude of actions both in the acute and chronic phase is still a challenge. Alternative immune modulators have been exhaustively used. For that purpose, melatonin and zinc were administered during chronic Trypanosoma cruzi-infected Wistar rats and several endpoints were assessed. Melatonin has a remarkable functional versatility, being associated with important antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects. The cross-talk between zinc and the immune system includes its ability to influence the production and signaling of numerous inflammatory cytokines in a variety of cell types. Our study showed that zinc triggered a decrease in the generation of IFN-γ for TCD4(+) cells. Reduced percentage of CD4(+) T cells producing TNF-α was observed in control melatonin or zinc-and-melatonin-treated animals as compared with untreated rats. On the other hand, a significant increase in the percentage of IL-4 from CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes producers was observed 60 days after infection, for all zinc-treated animals, whether infected or not. Melatonin and zinc therapies increased the percentages of CD4(+) and CD8(+) T lymphocytes IL-10 producers. CD4(+) CD25(high) Foxp3(+) T cells were also elevated in zinc- and melatonin-treated animals. The modulation of the immune system influenced by these molecules affected cytokine production and the inflammatory process during chronic T. cruzi infection. Elucidation of the interplay between cytokine balance and the pathogenesis of Chagas' disease is extremely relevant not only for the comprehension of the immune mechanisms and clinical forms but, most importantly, also for the implementation of efficient and adequate therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vânia Brazão
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
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Vielma JR, Bonilla E, Chacín-Bonilla L, Mora M, Medina-Leendertz S, Bravo Y. Effects of melatonin on oxidative stress, and resistance to bacterial, parasitic, and viral infections: a review. Acta Trop 2014; 137:31-8. [PMID: 24811367 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2014.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Revised: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 04/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland, works directly and indirectly as a free radical scavenger. Its other physiological or pharmacological activities could be dependent or independent of receptors located in different cells, organs, and tissues. In addition to its role in promoting sleep and circadian rhythms regulation, it has important immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects suggesting that this indole must be considered as a therapeutic alternative against infections. The aim of this review is to describe the effects of melatonin on oxidative stress and the resistance to bacterial (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Helicobacter pylori, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Clostridium perfringens), viral (Venezuelan equine encephalomyelitis virus and respiratory syncytial virus), and parasitic (Plasmodium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Trypanosoma cruzi, Toxoplasma gondii, and Opisthorchis viverrini) infections.
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Distinctive histopathology and modulation of cytokine production during oral and intraperitonealTrypanosoma cruziY strain infection. Parasitology 2014; 141:904-13. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182013002059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYAcute Chagas disease outbreaks are related to the consumption of food or drink contaminated by triatomine feces, thus making oral infection an important route of transmission. Both vector-borne and oral infections trigger important cardiac manifestations in the host that are related to a dysregulated immune response. The aims of this work were to evaluate possible alterations of lymphocyte CD4+/CD8+sub-populations, Th1 and Th2 cytokines, nitrite concentrations and cardiac histopathology. One group of male Wistar rats was intraperitoneally infected (I.P.) with 1×105metacyclic trypomastigotes of theT. cruziY strain, and another group of Wistar rats was orally infected (O.I.) with 8×105metacyclic trypomastigotes of the same strain. The intraperitoneal infection triggered statistically enhanced parasite and peritoneal macrophage numbers, increased concentrations of NO and IL-12 and elevated cardiac inflammatory foci when compared with the oral infection. However, proliferation of CD4+and CD8+T cells were not statistically different for oral and intraperitoneal routes.
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Abstract
AbstractMelatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland. In addition to its hormonal effect, it has strong antioxidant properties. Melatonin is probably best known for its ability to control circadian rhythm; it is sold in many countries as a supplement or drug for improving of sleep quality. However, melatonin’s effect is not limited to control of circadian rhythm:. it is involved in other effects, including cell cycle control and regulation of several important enzymes, including inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase. Melatonin affects immunity as well. It can modulate the immune response on disparate levels with a significant effect on inflammation. The role of melatonin in body regulatory process is not well understood; only limited conclusions can be drawn from known data. The current review attempts to summarize both basic facts about melatonin’s effects and propose research on the lesser known issues in the future.
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Melatonin: buffering the immune system. Int J Mol Sci 2013; 14:8638-83. [PMID: 23609496 PMCID: PMC3645767 DOI: 10.3390/ijms14048638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 427] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Revised: 04/06/2013] [Accepted: 04/07/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Melatonin modulates a wide range of physiological functions with pleiotropic effects on the immune system. Despite the large number of reports implicating melatonin as an immunomodulatory compound, it still remains unclear how melatonin regulates immunity. While some authors argue that melatonin is an immunostimulant, many studies have also described anti-inflammatory properties. The data reviewed in this paper support the idea of melatonin as an immune buffer, acting as a stimulant under basal or immunosuppressive conditions or as an anti-inflammatory compound in the presence of exacerbated immune responses, such as acute inflammation. The clinical relevance of the multiple functions of melatonin under different immune conditions, such as infection, autoimmunity, vaccination and immunosenescence, is also reviewed.
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da Costa CMB, Brazão V, Collins Kuehn C, Rodrigues Oliveira LG, do Prado Júnior JC, Sala MA, Carraro Abrahão AA. Zinc and pregnancy: Marked changes on the immune response following zinc therapy for pregnant females challenged with Trypanosoma cruzi. Clin Nutr 2012; 32:592-8. [PMID: 23154185 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2012.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2011] [Revised: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 10/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The occurrence of infectious disease processes during pregnancy has significant effects on maternal health and can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of the present study was to examine the potential role of zinc treatment during Trypanosoma cruzi infection in pregnant animals. METHODS Female Wistar rats weighing 180-200 g were used in all experiments. Production of nitric oxide, peritoneal macrophages counts, and concentrations of IFN-γ and TNF-α were measured, and the potential protective effects of zinc on fetal development were assessed at 14-day post-infection. RESULTS Nitric oxide concentrations were higher in pregnant zinc-treated animals than in their untreated counterparts, despite similar levels of the macrophages, IFN-γ and TNF-α. Zinc therapy was associated with a significant reduction in parasitemia and cardiac parasite burden. Higher placental and birth weights were observed in animals given prenatal zinc supplementation compared to untreated animals. CONCLUSIONS These data confirm the critical importance of adequate zinc intake during the peri-conceptional period and indicate that zinc has an effective role in preventing adverse outcomes of pregnancy and reducing the risk of common infections such as Chagas' disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cássia Mariana Bronzon da Costa
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto FCFRP-USP, Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Abstract
This review summarizes the metabolism, secretion, regulation and sites of action of melatonin. An updated description of the melatonin receptors, including their signal transduction mechanisms, distribution and characterization of receptor genes, is given. Special emphasis is focused on the clinical aspects and potential uses of melatonin in the sleep-wake rhythms, in the immune function, in cancer therapy, in neuroprotection against oxidative damage and antioxidant activities in different tissues. Finally, combined effects of melatonin with other drugs are discussed.
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