Ultrastructural effects of the chelating agent 1,10-phenanthroline on Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes in vitro

• Published in: Parasitology research (1987) Vol. 84; no. 5; pp. 399 - 402
• Main Authors: LANE, J. E, BOGITSH, B. J, RIBEIRO-RODRIGUES, R, KRAL, M. V, JONES, M. M, CARTER, C. E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin Springer 01.05.1998
• Subjects: Animals; Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Antiparasitic agents; Biological and medical sciences; Chelating Agents - pharmacology; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Medical sciences; Microscopy, Electron; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Phenanthrolines - pharmacology; Trypanosoma cruzi - drug effects; Trypanosoma cruzi - growth & development; Trypanosoma cruzi - ultrastructure; Kinetoplastida; Protozoa; Protozoal disease; Parasite; Chagas disease; Parasitosis; Trypanosoma cruzi; Infection; Antiprotozoal agent; Chemotherapy; Transmission electron microscopy; Epimastigote; Ultrastructure; Pathogenic; Parasiticid; Chelating agent; Inhibitor; Trypanosomiasis
• ISSN: 0932-0113; 1432-1955
• DOI: 10.1007/s004360050417

The in vitro effects of the metal chelator 1,10-phenanthroline (OPHEN) on the ultrastructure of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes were investigated. Epimastigotes treated with OPHEN display swelling and electron-dense deposits in the kinetoplast, mitochondrion, and cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum. These morphological alterations are dose-dependent and first appear at an OPHEN concentration of 5.0 microg/ml. Analytical electron microscope examination indicates that the metallic portion of the electron-dense deposits is predominantly calcium.