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Domínguez-Díaz LR, Eugenia Ochoa M, Soto-Castro D, Farfán N, Morales-Chamorro M, Yépez-Mulia L, Pérez-Campos E, Santillan R, Moreno-Rodríguez A. In vitro, ex vivo and in vivo short-term screening of DHEA nitrate derivatives activity over Trypanosoma cruzi Ninoa and TH strains from Oaxaca State, México. Bioorg Med Chem 2021; 48:116417. [PMID: 34571489 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmc.2021.116417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Chagas disease is a health problem that affects millions of persons, currently Nifurtimox (Nfx) and Benznidazole (Bz) are the unique drugs to treat it. However, these drugs produce adverse effects and high toxicity, which has motivated the search for new candidate drugs. Based on reports about the extensive biological activity of steroidal nitrate esters, in this study three nitrate esters steroids (1b, 2b and 4b) were synthetized and characterized from Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, 1a), 19-hydroxy-DHEA (2a), and Androst-5-en-3β,17β-diol (4a), respectively. In addition, compounds 3a and 3b were obtained by introducing an α-ethynyl and a β-hydroxyl groups at position 17 of 2b and further nitration of the hydroxyl group. The trypanocidal activity of these steroids was evaluated in vitro against the epimastigote stage of two T. cruzi strains, Ninoa and TH, and their cytotoxicity over J774.2 macrophage cell line was assayed. Compounds 3a, 3b, and 4a shown higher trypanocidal activity than Bz and Nfx against epimastigotes of Ninoa strain, whereas DHEA (1a) and its nitrate derivative 1b showed higher activity than the reference drugs against the TH strain epimastigote. None of the compounds showed activity in the ex vivo assays against the blood trypomastigote of both strains. Interestingly, the selectivity index of Androst-5-en-3β,17β-diol 4a was almost twice the value of Nfx and 50 times more than Bz, against Ninoa and TH strains, respectively. Therefore, compound 4a could represent a valuable starting point toward the optimization of steroid derivatives as trypanocidal agents.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ma Eugenia Ochoa
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apdo. Postal 14-740, C.P. 07000 CDMX, Mexico
| | - Delia Soto-Castro
- CONACyT - Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación para el Desarrollo Integral Regional, Unidad Oaxaca, Hornos 1003, C.P. 71230, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, Oaxaca, Mexico
| | - Norberto Farfán
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, C.P. 04510 CDMX, Mexico
| | - Maricela Morales-Chamorro
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apdo. Postal 14-740, C.P. 07000 CDMX, Mexico
| | - Lilian Yépez-Mulia
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Infecciosas y Parasitarias, UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, C.P. 06720 CDMX, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Pérez-Campos
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma "Benito Juárez" de Oaxaca, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico
| | - Rosa Santillan
- Departamento de Química, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN, Apdo. Postal 14-740, C.P. 07000 CDMX, Mexico.
| | - Adriana Moreno-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Autónoma "Benito Juárez" de Oaxaca, Oaxaca 68120, Mexico.
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Community-level epidemiology of intestinal helminth infections and anemia in Harbu Town, northeastern Ethiopia. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3451-3457. [PMID: 32869168 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06864-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Anemia and intestinal helminth infections are overlapping health problems in developing countries. This study examined the determinants of intestinal helminth infection and anemia in a human population in Harbu Town, northeastern Ethiopia. A total of 484 individuals provided stool and blood samples as well as information about their sociodemographic characteristics and living practices in a community-based cross-sectional survey conducted between May and June, 2013. Stool specimens were examined for intestinal helminth infections using the Kato-Katz method. While a HemoCue machine was used to measure blood hemoglobin levels, a CareStartTM malaria Pf/Pv combo test was used to test the blood specimens for Plasmodium infection. Out of 484 individuals examined, 15.5% were anemic and 32.0% were infected with intestinal helminths. Plasmodium infection was not detected in any of the study participants. Schistosoma mansoni infection was most common (26.7%) followed by Hymenolepis nana (4.1%). The prevalence of S. mansoni and H. nana infection was greater among school-age children than in pre-school-age children and adults. The prevalence of helminth infection decreased with an increase in monthly income (P = 0.048) and varied among different occupations (P = 0.023). The odds of anemia increased with an increase in the age of individuals (adjusted odds ratio = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.06). Hookworm infection was associated with anemia (P = 0.029). In conclusion, intestinal helminth infections and anemia were public health problems among the community of Harbu Town. Increasing age and hookworm infection may increase susceptibility to anemia. Controlling helminth infection may help to reduce the burden of anemia in Harbu Town, Ethiopia.
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Immune-neuroendocrine and metabolic disorders in human and experimental T. cruzi infection: New clues for understanding Chagas disease pathology. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019; 1866:165642. [PMID: 31866417 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.165642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Studies in mice undergoing acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection and patients with Chagas disease, led to identify several immune-neuroendocrine disturbances and metabolic disorders. Here, we review relevant findings concerning such abnormalities and discuss their possible influence on disease physiopathology.
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Prall SP, Muehlenbein MP. DHEA Modulates Immune Function: A Review of Evidence. DEHYDROEPIANDROSTERONE 2018; 108:125-144. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.vh.2018.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Norseth HM, Ndhlovu PD, Kleppa E, Randrianasolo BS, Jourdan PM, Roald B, Holmen SD, Gundersen SG, Bagratee J, Onsrud M, Kjetland EF. The colposcopic atlas of schistosomiasis in the lower female genital tract based on studies in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and South Africa. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2014; 8:e3229. [PMID: 25412334 PMCID: PMC4238986 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0003229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2013] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Schistosoma (S.) haematobium is a neglected tropical disease which may affect any part of the genital tract in women. Female genital schistosomiasis (FGS) may cause abnormal vaginal discharge, contact bleeding, genital tumours, ectopic pregnancies and increased susceptibility to HIV. Symptoms may mimic those typical of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and women with genital schistosomiasis may be incorrectly diagnosed. An expert consensus meeting suggested that the following findings by visual inspection should serve as proxy indicators for the diagnosis of schistosomiasis of the lower genital tract in women from S. haematobium endemic areas: sandy patches appearing as (1) single or clustered grains or (2) sandy patches appearing as homogenous, yellow areas, or (3) rubbery papules. In this atlas we aim to provide an overview of the genital mucosal manifestations of schistosomiasis in women. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Photocolposcopic images were captured from women, between 1994 and 2012 in four different study sites endemic for S. haematobium in Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Madagascar. Images and specimens were sampled from sexually active women between 15 and 49 years of age. Colposcopic images of other diseases are included for differential diagnostic purposes. SIGNIFICANCE This is the first atlas to present the clinical manifestations of schistosomiasis in the lower female genital tract. It will be freely available for online use, downloadable as a presentation and for print. It could be used for training purposes, further research, and in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanne M. Norseth
- Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital Ullevaal, Oslo, Norway
- University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Elisabeth Kleppa
- Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital Ullevaal, Oslo, Norway
- University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Peter M. Jourdan
- Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital Ullevaal, Oslo, Norway
- University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Borghild Roald
- Center for Paediatric and Pregnancy Related Pathology, Department of Pathology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sigve D. Holmen
- Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital Ullevaal, Oslo, Norway
- University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Svein G. Gundersen
- Research Department, Sorlandet Hospital HF, Kristiansand, Norway
- Department for Global Development and Planning, Institute for Development Studies, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Jayanthilall Bagratee
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Clinical Medicine, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Mathias Onsrud
- Department of Gynaecology, Oslo University Hospital Ullevaal, Oslo, Norway
| | - Eyrun F. Kjetland
- Norwegian Centre for Imported and Tropical Diseases, Department of Infectious Diseases, Oslo University Hospital Ullevaal, Oslo, Norway
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Nelson R. Mandela School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Prall SP, Muehlenbein MP. Testosterone and Immune Function in Primates: A Brief Summary with Methodological Considerations. INT J PRIMATOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-014-9752-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Bottasso O, Bay ML, Besedovsky H, Del Rey A. Adverse neuro-immune-endocrine interactions in patients with active tuberculosis. Mol Cell Neurosci 2012; 53:77-85. [PMID: 23147110 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2012.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2012] [Revised: 11/01/2012] [Accepted: 11/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The nervous, endocrine and immune systems play a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis and interact with each other for a successful defensive strategy against injurious agents. However, the situation is different in long-term diseases with marked inflammation, in which defensive mechanisms become altered. In the case of tuberculosis (TB), this is highlighted by several facts: an imbalance of plasma immune and endocrine mediators, that results in an adverse environment for mounting an adequate response against mycobacteria and controlling inflammation; the demonstration that dehidroepiandrosterone (DHEA) secretion by a human adrenal cell line can be inhibited by culture supernatants from Mycobacterium tuberculosis-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells - PBMC - of TB patients, with this effect being partly reverted when neutralizing transforming growth factor-β in such supernantants; the in vitro effects of adrenal steroids on the specific immune response of PBMC from TB patients, that is a cortisol inhibition of mycobacterial antigen-driven lymphoproliferation and interferon-γ production as well as a suppression of TGF-β production in DHEA-treated PBMC; and lastly the demonstration that immune and endocrine compounds participating in the regulation of energy sources and immune activity correlated with the consumption state of TB patients. Collectively, immune-endocrine disturbances of TB patients are involved in critical components of disease pathology with implications in the impaired clinical status and unfavorable disease outcome. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Neuroinflammation in neurodegeneration and neurodysfunction'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oscar Bottasso
- Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina.
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de-la-Torre A, Ríos-Cadavid AC, Cardozo-García CM, Padilla L, Gómez-Marín JE. Serum levels of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) in ocular toxoplasmosis. JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY, IMMUNOLOGY, AND INFECTION = WEI MIAN YU GAN RAN ZA ZHI 2012; 45:65-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmii.2011.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2010] [Revised: 11/22/2010] [Accepted: 12/13/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Domingues Santos C, Loria RM, Rodrigues Oliveira LG, Collins Kuehn C, Alonso Toldo MP, Albuquerque S, do Prado Júnior JC. Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) and benznidazole treatments during acute infection of two different Trypanosoma cruzi strains. Immunobiology 2010; 215:980-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.imbio.2009.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2009] [Revised: 11/03/2009] [Accepted: 11/03/2009] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Bushell WC, Theise ND. Toward a Unified Field of Study: Longevity, Regeneration, and Protection of Health through Meditation and Related Practices. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2009; 1172:5-19. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2009.04959.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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MORALES-MONTOR J, HALL CA. The host–parasite neuroimmunoendocrine network in schistosomiasis: consequences to the host and the parasite. Parasite Immunol 2007; 29:599-608. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3024.2007.00968.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Bozza VV, D'Attilio L, Mahuad CV, Giri AA, Del Rey A, Besedovsky H, Bottasso O, Bay ML. Altered Cortisol/DHEA Ratio in Tuberculosis Patients and its Relationship with Abnormalities in the Mycobacterial-driven Cytokine Production by Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells. Scand J Immunol 2007; 66:97-103. [PMID: 17587351 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.2007.01952.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We have investigated the relationship between cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels and the immune response to mycobacterial antigens in peripheral venous blood, from a male population of active tuberculosis patients and age-matched healthy controls of the same sex (HCo). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were cultured for 36 or 96 h with whole sonicated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (WSA) for measurement of proliferation, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in culture supernatants. Comparisons on the in vitro mycobacterial-driven immune responses demonstrated that TB patients had a higher IL-10 production, a decreased lymphoproliferation and a trend to reduced IFN-gamma synthesis, in relation to HCo. Active disease was also characterized by increases in the plasma levels of glucocorticoids (GC) and reduced concentrations of DHEA which resulted in a higher cortisol/DHEA ratio respect the HCo group. Plasma DHEA levels were positively correlated with IFN-gamma values. An inverse correlation was found between the cortisol/DHEA ratio and IFN-gamma levels. Novel evidence is provided showing that the balance between cortisol and DHEA is partly responsible for the immune perturbations seen in TB patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- V V Bozza
- Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de RosarioArea de Virología, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, ArgentinaInstitute für Normale und Pathologische Physiologie, Marburg, Germany
| | - L D'Attilio
- Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de RosarioArea de Virología, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, ArgentinaInstitute für Normale und Pathologische Physiologie, Marburg, Germany
| | - C V Mahuad
- Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de RosarioArea de Virología, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, ArgentinaInstitute für Normale und Pathologische Physiologie, Marburg, Germany
| | - A A Giri
- Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de RosarioArea de Virología, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, ArgentinaInstitute für Normale und Pathologische Physiologie, Marburg, Germany
| | - A Del Rey
- Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de RosarioArea de Virología, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, ArgentinaInstitute für Normale und Pathologische Physiologie, Marburg, Germany
| | - H Besedovsky
- Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de RosarioArea de Virología, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, ArgentinaInstitute für Normale und Pathologische Physiologie, Marburg, Germany
| | - O Bottasso
- Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de RosarioArea de Virología, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, ArgentinaInstitute für Normale und Pathologische Physiologie, Marburg, Germany
| | - M L Bay
- Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de RosarioArea de Virología, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Rosario (IBR), Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, ArgentinaInstitute für Normale und Pathologische Physiologie, Marburg, Germany
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Santos CD, Toldo MPA, Levy AMA, Kawasse LM, Zucoloto S, do Prado JC. Dehydroepiandrosterone affects Trypanosoma cruzi tissue parasite burdens in rats. Acta Trop 2007; 102:143-50. [PMID: 17560841 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2007.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2006] [Revised: 04/12/2007] [Accepted: 04/19/2007] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), the predominant steroid hormone produced by adrenal glands has significant effects on the immune system. DHEA enhances immune responses against a wide range of viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens. In the present study, we investigated the effects of DHEA treatment during the acute phase of experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Male and female Wistar rats were infected with the Y strain of T. cruzi and treated subcutaneously with 40 mg/kg body weight/day of DHEA. Myocardial parasitism and inflammation were always present in the heart during the acute phase, in male and female infected animals, regardless of DHEA treatment, but the numbers of amastigote nests in cardiomyocytes were significantly lower in DHEA-treated rats. At the end of the acute phase, the nests became rare or virtually absent in all experimental infections. Histological analysis of the adrenal glands showed that treated males displayed an absence of parasites. DHEA treatment also resulted in reduced parasitisim of heart and adrenal glands, as indicated by fewer and smaller amastigote burdens, and less inflammatory infiltrate and tissue disorganization. DHEA treatment also resulted in thymic atrophy as measured both by reduced weight and by a reduction in the number of cultured activated thymocytes. In vitro analysis showed the number of activated macrophages was higher in treated animals. Antibody levels were monitored by complement-mediated lysis. Higher titers were observed in females when compared to males; but DHEA treatment enhanced the percentage of lysis for both sexes. These findings suggest that DHEA can play a role in the control of parasite multiplication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Domingues Santos
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto FCFRP-USP, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Kurtis JD, Friedman JF, Leenstra T, Langdon GC, Wu HW, Manalo DL, Su L, Jiz M, Jarilla B, Pablo AO, McGarvey ST, Olveda RM, Acosta LP. Pubertal Development Predicts Resistance to Infection and Reinfection with Schistosoma japonicum. Clin Infect Dis 2006; 42:1692-8. [PMID: 16705573 DOI: 10.1086/504326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2005] [Accepted: 02/07/2006] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In communities where Schistosoma species are endemic, the prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis is disproportionately high among children, compared with adults. This epidemiologic pattern is consistent with either the slow development of resistance or the requirement of host developmental changes for the expression of resistance. METHODS We enrolled 87 individuals aged 7-18 years who did not have Schistosoma japonicum infection and 641 individuals aged 7-30 years with S. japonicum infection, all of whom reside in 3 villages in Leyte, Philippines. At baseline, S. japonicum infection was assessed by Kato-Katz thick-smear stool examination, and the levels of the pubertal hormone dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) in serum were determined. Individuals with S. japonicum infection were treated with praziquantel, after which stool examination and DHEA-S level measurement were performed every 3 months for 18 months. RESULTS In cross-sectional analyses, the intensity of infection among individuals with high DHEA-S levels was 43% lower (28 eggs per g, n = 243), compared with individuals with low DHEA-S levels (50 eggs per g, n = 242), even after adjusting for age, sex, and village (P = .01). Following praziquantel treatment, increased DHEA-S levels were associated with resistance to reinfection (P = .006). The intensity of reinfection among individuals with high DHEA-S levels was 42% lower, compared with individuals with low DHEA-S levels, even after adjusting for age, baseline intensity of S. japonicum infection, village, sex and water contact (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Increased DHEA-S levels in serum, a marker for adrenal development, is associated with reduced S. japonicum infection and reinfection, even after adjusting for age and, by proxy, cumulative exposure. These data suggest that an intrinsic property of host pubertal development mediates, in part, the resistance to infection observed in older individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Kurtis
- Center for International Health Research, Rhode Island Hospital, Brown University School of Medicine, Providence, RI 02903, USA.
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Escobedo G, Roberts CW, Carrero JC, Morales-Montor J. Parasite regulation by host hormones: an old mechanism of host exploitation? Trends Parasitol 2005; 21:588-93. [PMID: 16236553 DOI: 10.1016/j.pt.2005.09.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2005] [Revised: 08/10/2005] [Accepted: 09/29/2005] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Recent experimental evidence suggests that parasites can not only evade immune responses actively but also exploit the hormonal microenvironment within the host to favor their establishment, growth and reproduction. The benefit for parasites of hormonal exploitation is so great that they have evolved structures similar to the steroid and protein hormone receptors expressed in upper vertebrates that can bind to the hormonal metabolites synthesized by the host. This strategy is exemplified by two parasites that respond to adrenal steroids and sexual steroids, respectively: Schistosoma mansoni and Taenia crassiceps. Understanding how the host endocrine system can, under certain circumstances, favor the establishment of a parasite, and characterizing the parasite hormone receptors that are involved might aid the design of hormonal analogs and drugs that affect the parasite exclusively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galileo Escobedo
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México AP 70228, Mexico City 04510, México
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dos Santos CD, Toldo MPA, do Prado Júnior JC. Trypanosoma cruzi: the effects of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) treatment during experimental infection. Acta Trop 2005; 95:109-15. [PMID: 15955522 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2005.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2005] [Revised: 04/07/2005] [Accepted: 05/12/2005] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the immunomodulator dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in the treatment of Trypanosoma cruzi infection and the possible biochemistry alterations in male and female Wistar rats. DHEA also known as the steroid of multiple actions has attracted distinct medical areas. Prior studies show that DHEA enhances immune responses against a wide range of viral, bacterial and parasitic pathogens. Furthermore, administration of DHEA seems to protect animals against obesity and diabetes. Male animals subcutaneous treated with 40 mg/kg body weight/day of DHEA displayed a significant reduction in blood parasites during parasitaemia peak, when compared to untreated animals (P<0.001). For female group parasitaemia was also reduced although values are not statistically significant (P>0.05). Sexual dimorphism was also observed, since females displayed lesser parasitaemia levels compared to males group treated (P>0.05) and untreated (P<0.001). Enhanced leucocytes number was observed in control females when compared to control males (P<0.05). DHEA treatment did not triggered any significant alterations in leucocytes levels (P>0.05). DHEA administration induced an enhanced number of macrophages in infected male (P<0.01). DHEA administration causes a decrease in glucose (P<0.001). Cholesterol and tryglicerides levels did not display results statistically significant (P>0.05) during the treatment. These results suggest that DHEA treatment enhances the immune response as evidenced here by reduced levels of parasites. Up-regulation of the immune system by exogenous DHEA may be useful in the treatment of American tripanosomiasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Domingues dos Santos
- Laboratório de Parasitologia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto FCFRP-USP, Universidade de São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
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