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Martins Santos F, Carvalho de Macedo G, Teixeira Gomes Barreto W, Rodrigues Oliveira-Santos LG, Martins Garcia C, de Miranda Mourão G, Edith de Oliveira Porfírio G, Domenis Marino E, Rogério André M, Perles L, Elisei de Oliveira C, Braziliano de Andrade G, Jansen AM, Miraglia Herrera H. Outcomes of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma evansi infections on health of Southern coati (Nasua nasua), crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) in the Brazilian Pantanal. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0201357. [PMID: 30110344 PMCID: PMC6093643 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0201357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of Trypanosoma spp. in wild carnivore populations has been intensively investigated during the last decades. However, the impact of these parasites on the health of free-living infected animals has been largely neglected. The Pantanal biome is the world’s largest seasonal wetland, harboring a great diversity of species and habitats. This includes 174 species of mammals, of which 20 belong to the order Carnivora. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Trypanosoma evansi and Trypanosoma cruzi infections and coinfections on the health of the most abundant carnivores in the Pantanal: coati (Nasua nasua), crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous), and ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). We captured 39 coatis, 48 crab-eating foxes, and 19 ocelots. Diagnostic tests showed T. cruzi infection in 7 crab-eating foxes and 5 coatis. Additionally, 7 crab-eating foxes, 10 coatis, and 12 ocelots were positive for T. evansi. We observed coinfections in 9 crab-eating foxes, 8 coatis, and 2 ocelots. This is the first report of T. evansi and T. cruzi infection on the health of free-living ocelots and crab-eating foxes. We showed that single T. evansi or T. cruzi infection, as well as coinfection, caused some degree of anemia in all animals, as well as an indirect negative effect on body condition in coatis and crab-eating foxes via anemia indicators and immune investment, respectively. Furthermore, the vigorous immune investment observed in sampled coatis, crab-eating foxes and ocelots infected by T. evansi, T. cruzi and coinfected can be highly harmful to their health. Overall, our results indicate that single and combined infection with T. evansi and T. cruzi represent a severe risk to the health of wild carnivores in the Pantanal region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipe Martins Santos
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- * E-mail:
| | - Gabriel Carvalho de Macedo
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Wanessa Teixeira Gomes Barreto
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Carolina Martins Garcia
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Guilherme de Miranda Mourão
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Laboratório de Vida Selvagem, Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuária do Pantanal, Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Corumbá, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Grasiela Edith de Oliveira Porfírio
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Elizangela Domenis Marino
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Marcos Rogério André
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lívia Perles
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias e Veterinárias, Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carina Elisei de Oliveira
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gisele Braziliano de Andrade
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Jansen
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Laboratório de Biologia de Tripanosomatídeos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Heitor Miraglia Herrera
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais e Sustentabilidade Agropecuária, Universidade Católica Dom Bosco, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
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Silva AD, Bottari NB, do Carmo GM, Baldissera MD, Souza CF, Machado VS, Morsch VM, Schetinger MRC, Mendes RE, Monteiro SG, Da Silva AS. Chagas disease: modulation of the inflammatory response by acetylcholinesterase in hematological cells and brain tissue. Mol Cell Biochem 2017; 438:59-65. [DOI: 10.1007/s11010-017-3113-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/01/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Toledo-Ibarra GA, Díaz-Resendiz KJG, Pavón-Romero L, Rojas-García AE, Medina-Díaz IM, Girón-Pérez MI. Effects of diazinon on the lymphocytic cholinergic system of Nile tilapia fish (Oreochromis niloticus). Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2016; 176:58-63. [PMID: 27260186 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2016.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Revised: 05/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Fish rearing under intensive farming conditions can be easily disturbed by pesticides, substances that have immunotoxic properties and may predispose to infections. Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) are widely used in agricultural activities; however, the mechanism of immunotoxicity of these substances is unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of diazinon pesticides (OPs) on the cholinergic system of immune cells as a possible target of OP immunotoxicity. We evaluated ACh levels and cholinergic (nicotinic and muscarinic) receptor concentration. Additionally, AChE activity was evaluated in mononuclear cells of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), a freshwater fish mostly cultivated in tropical regions around the world. The obtained results indicate that acute exposure to diazinon induces an increase in ACh concentration and a decrease in nAChR and mAChR concentrations and AChE activity in fish immune cells, This suggests that the non-neuronal lymphocytic cholinergic system may be the main target in the mechanism of OP immunotoxicity. This study contributes to the understanding of the mechanisms of immunotoxicity of pollutants and may help to take actions for animal health improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A Toledo-Ibarra
- Laboratorio de Inmunotoxicología, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Secretaría de Investigación y Posgrado, Laboratorio de Inmunotoxicología, Boulevard Tepic-Xalisco s/n, Cd de la Cultura Amado Nervo, C.P. 63190, Tepic Nayarit, Mexico
| | - K J G Díaz-Resendiz
- Laboratorio de Inmunotoxicología, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Secretaría de Investigación y Posgrado, Laboratorio de Inmunotoxicología, Boulevard Tepic-Xalisco s/n, Cd de la Cultura Amado Nervo, C.P. 63190, Tepic Nayarit, Mexico
| | - L Pavón-Romero
- Departmento de Psicoimmunología, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente", Calzada México-Xochimilco 101, Col. San Lorenzo Huipulco, Tlalpan, 14370 Mexico City, DF, Mexico
| | - A E Rojas-García
- Laboratorio de Contaminación y Toxicología Ambiental, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Secretaría de Investigación y Posgrado, Laboratorio de Inmunotoxicología, Boulevard Tepic-Xalisco s/n, Cd de la Cu ltura Amado Nervo, C.P. 63190, Tepic Nayarit, Mexico
| | - I M Medina-Díaz
- Laboratorio de Contaminación y Toxicología Ambiental, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Secretaría de Investigación y Posgrado, Laboratorio de Inmunotoxicología, Boulevard Tepic-Xalisco s/n, Cd de la Cu ltura Amado Nervo, C.P. 63190, Tepic Nayarit, Mexico
| | - M I Girón-Pérez
- Laboratorio de Inmunotoxicología, Universidad Autónoma de Nayarit, Secretaría de Investigación y Posgrado, Laboratorio de Inmunotoxicología, Boulevard Tepic-Xalisco s/n, Cd de la Cultura Amado Nervo, C.P. 63190, Tepic Nayarit, Mexico.
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Zhang QH, Li AM, He SL, Yao XD, Zhu J, Zhang ZW, Sheng ZY, Yao YM. Serum Total Cholinesterase Activity on Admission Is Associated with Disease Severity and Outcome in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0129082. [PMID: 26107885 PMCID: PMC4479571 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0129082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of neurological disability. In this retrospective study, serum total cholinesterase (ChE) activities were analyzed in 188 patients for diagnostic as well as predictive values for mortality. METHODS AND FINDINGS Within 72 hours after injury, serum ChE activities including both acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase were measured. Disease severity was evaluated with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, Glasgow Coma Score, length of coma, post-traumatic amnesia and injury feature. Neurocognitive and functional scores were assessed using clinical records. Of 188 patients, 146 (77.7%) survived and 42 (22.3%) died within 90 days. Lower ChE activities were noted in the non-survivors vs. survivors (5.94±2.19 vs. 7.04±2.16 kU/L, p=0.023), in septic vs. non-infected patients (5.93±1.89 vs. 7.31±2.45 kU/L, p=0.0005) and in patients with extremely severe injury vs. mild injury (6.3±1.98 vs. 7.57±2.48 kU/L, p=0.049). The trajectories of serum ChE levels were also different between non-survivors and survivors, septic and non-infected patients, mild and severely injured patients, respectively. Admission ChE activities were closely correlated with blood cell counts, neurocognitive and functional scores both on admission and at discharge. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the area under the curve for ChE was inferior to that for either APACHE II or white blood cell (WBC) count. However, at the optimal cutoff value of 5 kU/L, the sensitivity of ChE for correct prediction of 90-day mortality was 65.5% and the specificity was 86.4%. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that lower ChE activity (<5 kU/L) was more closely correlated with poor survival than higher ChE activity (>5 kU/L) (p=0.04). After adjusting for other variables, ChE was identified as a borderline independent predictor for mortality as analyzed by Binary logistic regression (P=0.078). CONCLUSIONS Lowered ChE activity measured on admission appears to be associated with disease severity and outcome for TBI patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing-Hong Zhang
- Key Research Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration of PLA, and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration; First Hospital Affiliated to the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
- * E-mail: (QHZ); (YMY)
| | - An-Min Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Hainan Branch of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya, Hainan, 572013, P. R. China
| | - Sai-Lin He
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital Affiliated to the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
| | - Xu-Dong Yao
- Department of Emergency, First Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, P. R. China
| | - Jing Zhu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, First Hospital Affiliated to the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Wen Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, First Hospital Affiliated to the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
| | - Zhi-Yong Sheng
- Key Research Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration of PLA, and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration; First Hospital Affiliated to the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
| | - Yong-Ming Yao
- Key Research Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration of PLA, and Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration; First Hospital Affiliated to the Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100048, P. R. China
- * E-mail: (QHZ); (YMY)
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Tonin AA, Da Silva AS, Schafer AS, Aires AR, Oliveira CB, Zanini D, Schetinger MR, Morsch VM, Lopes ST, Monteiro SG, Leal ML. Influence of experimental infection by Haemonchus contortus on acetylcholinesterase activity in lymphocytes of lambs. Exp Parasitol 2014; 139:19-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2014.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Revised: 02/06/2014] [Accepted: 02/09/2014] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Tonin AA, da Silva AS, Thorstenberg ML, Castilhos LG, França RT, Leal DBR, Duarte MMMF, Vogel FSF, de La Rue ML, dos Anjos Lopes ST. Influence of Toxoplasma gondii acute infection on cholinesterase activities of Wistar rats. THE KOREAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2013; 51:421-6. [PMID: 24039284 PMCID: PMC3770872 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2013.51.4.421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2013] [Revised: 05/23/2013] [Accepted: 06/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have shown the mechanisms and importance of immune responses against Toxoplasma gondii infection and the notable role of cholinesterases in inflammatory reactions. However, the association between those factors has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in blood and lymphocytes and the activity of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in serum of rats experimentally infected with T. gondii during the acute phase of infection. For that, an in vivo study was performed with evaluations of AChE and BChE activities on days 5 and 10 post-infection (PI). The activity of AChE in blood was increased on day 5 PI, while in lymphocytes its activity was enhanced on days 5 and 10 PI (P<0.05). No significant difference was observed between groups regarding to the activity of BChE in serum. A positive (P<0.01) correlation was observed between AChE activity and number of lymphocytes. The role of AChE as an inflammatory marker is well known in different pathologies; thus, our results lead to the hypothesis that AChE has an important role in modulation of early immune responses against T. gondii infection.
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Wolkmer P, da Silva CB, Paim FC, Duarte MM, Castro V, Palma HE, França RT, Felin DV, Siqueira LC, Lopes ST, Schetinger MRC, Monteiro SG, Mazzanti CM. Pre-treatment with curcumin modulates acetylcholinesterase activity and proinflammatory cytokines in rats infected with Trypanosoma evansi. Parasitol Int 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2012.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Costa MM, Silva ASD, Paim FC, França R, Dornelles GL, Thomé GR, Serres JDS, Schmatz R, Spanevello RM, Gonçalves JF, Schetinger MRC, Mazzanti CMA, Lopes STA, Monteiro SG. Cholinesterase as inflammatory markers in a experimental infection by Trypanosoma evansi in rabbits. AN ACAD BRAS CIENC 2012; 84:1105-13. [PMID: 23011112 DOI: 10.1590/s0001-37652012005000062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2011] [Accepted: 04/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of cholinesterases as an inflammatory marker in acute and chronic infection by Trypanosoma evansi in rabbits experimentally infected. Twelve adult female New Zealand rabbits were used and divided into two groups with 6 animals each: control group (rabbits 1-6) and infected group (rabbits 7-12). Infected group received intraperitoneally 0.5 mL of blood from a rat containing 108 parasites per animal. Blood samples used for cholinesterases evaluation were collected on days 0, 2, 7, 12, 27, 42, 57, 87, 102 and 118 days post-inoculation (PI). Increased activity (P<0.05) of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) were observed in the blood on days 7 and 27, respectively and no differences were observed in cholinesterase activity in other periods. No significant difference in AChE activity (P>0.05) was observed in the encephalic structures. The increased activities of AChE and BChE probably have a pro-inflammatory purpose, attempting to reduce the concentration of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter which has an anti-inflammatory property. Therefore, cholinesterase may be inflammatory markers in infection with T. evansi in rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Márcio M Costa
- Laboratório de Análises Clínicas Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brasil.
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Hematological indices and activity of NTPDase and cholinesterase enzymes in rats exposed to cadmium and treated with N-acetylcysteine. Biometals 2012; 25:1195-206. [PMID: 22991071 DOI: 10.1007/s10534-012-9582-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2012] [Accepted: 09/03/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the influence of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on cadmium (Cd) poisoning by evaluating Cd concentration in tissues, hematological indices as well as the activity of NTPDase, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzymes of rats exposed to Cd and co-treated with NAC. For this purpose, the rats received Cd (2 mg/kg) and NAC (150 mg/kg) by gavage every other day for 30 days. Animals were divided into four groups (n = 6-8): control/saline, NAC, Cd, and Cd/NAC. Cd exposure increased Cd concentration in plasma, spleen and thymus, and NAC co-treatment modulated this augment in both lymphoid organs. Cd exposure reduced red blood cell count, hemoglobin content and hematocrit value. Cd intoxication caused a decrease in total white blood cell count. NAC treatment per se caused an increase in lymphocyte and a decrease in neutrophil counts. On contrary, Cd exposure caused a decrease in lymphocyte and an increase in neutrophil and monocyte counts. NAC reversed or ameliorated the hematological impairments caused by Cd poisoning. There were no significant alterations in the NTPDase activity in lymphocytes of rats treated with Cd and/or NAC. Cd caused a decrease in the activities of lymphocyte AChE, whole blood AChE and serum BChE. However, NAC co-treatment was inefficient in counteracting the negative effect of Cd in the cholinesterase activities. The present investigation provides ex vivo evidence supporting the hypothesis that Cd induces immunotoxicity by interacting with the lymphoid organs, altering hematological parameters and inhibiting peripheral cholinesterase activity. Also, it highlights the possibility to use NAC as adjuvant against toxicological conditions.
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Da Silva AS, Pimentel VC, Fiorenza AM, França RT, Tonin AA, Jaques JA, Leal CAM, Da Silva CB, Morsch V, Sschetinger MRC, Lopes STA, Monteiro SG. Activity of cholinesterases and adenosine deaminase in blood and serum of rats experimentally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. ANNALS OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND PARASITOLOGY 2011; 105:385-91. [PMID: 21929880 DOI: 10.1179/1364859411y.0000000026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the activity of cholinesterases and adenosine deaminase (ADA) in blood and serum of rats infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. Twelve adult rats were used in the experiment divided into two uniform groups. Rodents from group A (control group) were non-infected and animals from group B served as infected, receiving intraperitoneally 3·3×10(7) trypomastigotes/each. Blood collection was performed at days 60 and 120 post-infection (PI) in order to evaluate the hemogram, blood activity of acetylcholinesterase, and serum butyrylcholinesterase and ADA activities. Hematological parameters did not differ between groups. A significant increase (P<0·05) of acetylcholinesterase activity was observed in blood while butyrylcholinesterase had a significant reduction (P<0·01) in serum of infected rats at days 60 and 120 PI. ADA activity in serum showed an inhibition in infected animals when compared to non-infected at day 120 PI. Based on these results, it is possible to conclude that the activity of cholinesterases and ADA were changed in animals infected with T. cruzi. The possible causes of these alterations will be discussed in this paper.
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Delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity in red blood cells of rats infected with Trypanosoma evansi. Parasitology 2011; 138:1272-7. [DOI: 10.1017/s0031182011000989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARYThe aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) in red blood cells of rats infected with Trypanosoma evansi and establish its association with haematocrit, serum levels of iron and zinc and lipid peroxidation. Thirty-six male rats (Wistar) were divided into 2 groups with 18 animals each. Group A was non-infected while Group B was intraperitoneally infected, receiving 7·5×106 trypomastigotes per animal. Each group was divided into 3 subgroups of 6 rats and blood was collected during different periods post-infection (p.i.) as follows: day 5 (A1 and B1), day 15 (A2 and B2) and day 30 PI (A3 and B3). Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture to estimate red blood cell parameters (RBC), δ-ALA-D activity and serum levels of iron, zinc and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Rats in group B showed a significant (P<0·05) reduction of RBC count, haemoglobin concentration and haematocrit at days 5 and 15 p.i. The activity of δ-ALA-D in blood was significantly (P<0·001) increased at days 15 and 30 p.i. δ-ALA-D activity in blood had a significant (P<0·05) negative correlation with haematocrit (r=−0·61) and haemoglobin (r=−0·70) at day 15 p.i. There was a significant (P<0·05) decrease in serum iron and zinc levels and an increase in TBARS levels (P<0·05) during infection. The δ-ALA-D activity in blood was negatively correlated with the levels of iron (r=−0·68) and zinc (r=−0·57) on day 30 p.i. It was concluded that the increased activity of δ-ALA-D in blood might have occurred in response to the anaemia in remission as heme synthesis was enhanced.
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