Oxidative stress evaluation in patients with chronic Chagas disease

• Published in: Parasitology international Vol. 96; p. 102770
• Main Authors: de Carvalho, Francilene Capel Tavares, de Oliveira, Larissa Ragozo Cardoso, Gatto, Mariana, Tasca, Karen Ingrid, da Silva, Laura Denise Mendes, dos Santos, Klinsmann Carolo, Pierine, Damiana Tortolero, da Costa, Erika Alessandra Pellison Nunes, Francisqueti-Ferron, Fabiane Valentini, dos Santos, Rodrigo Mattos, Correa, Camila Renata
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.10.2023
• Subjects: antioxidant activity; Antioxidants; Antioxidants - metabolism; blood serum; Chagas Disease; Chronic Disease; DNA damage; Humans; hydrophilicity; inflammation; Nitric Oxide; Oxidative Stress; parasites; parasitology; people; Persistent Infection; reactive oxygen species; Trypanosoma cruzi; Vitamin E; Antioxidants; Oxidative stress; DNA damage; Nitric oxide; Trypanosoma cruzi
• ISSN: 1383-5769; 1873-0329; 1873-0329
• DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2023.102770

Chagas disease (CD), caused by protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), is a neglected disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The parasite clearance by the immune cells is accomplished by the activation of inflammation and production of reactive oxygen species, including nitric oxide (NO) that can lead to tissue injury and DNA damage. On the other hand, to balance the oxidative environment and decrease free radicals, there is an antioxidant system composed of enzymes and vitamins. The aim was to evaluate oxidative stress parameters in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with Chagas disease. Participants were divided into three groups: indeterminate CD (asymptomatic, n = 8), CD with cardiac/digestive involvement (symptomatic, n = 14), and Control healthy individuals (n = 20). The following parameters were analyzed: DNA damage, NO serum levels, hydrophilic antioxidant capacity (HAC) and vitamin E. Symptomatic patients showed increased DNA damage and NO levels and lower HAC and vitamin E levels compared to asymptomatic patients and control subjects. It is possible to conclude that CD patients with clinical symptoms have higher oxidative stress, characterized by increased DNA damage and NO levels, and reduced antioxidant capacity and vitamin E levels. Symptomatic Chagas disease (cardiac and digestive forms) is associated with oxidative stress, characterized by increased DNA damage and oxide nitric levels and reduced antioxidant capacity and α-Tocopherol levels. [Display omitted] •Chagas disease is associated with oxidative stress;•Oxidative stress is more pronounced in symptomatic patients;•Oxidative stress was characterized in these patients by increased DNA damage, and NO levels and reduced hydrophilic antioxidant capacity and α-Tocopherol levels.