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BIBTEX RIS

Immunomodulatory effects of zinc and DHEA on the Th-1 immune response in rats infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

2009; Elsevier BV; Volume: 215; Issue: 5 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.imbio.2009.05.005

1878-3279

Vânia Brazão, Fabrícia Helena Santello, Leony Cristina Caetano, Marina Del Vecchio Filipin, Míriam Paula Alonso Toldo, José Clóvis do Prado Júnior,

Research on Leishmaniasis Studies

Chagas' disease is considered the sixth most important neglected tropical disease worldwide. Considerable knowledge has been accumulated concerning the role of zinc on cellular immunity. The steroid hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is also known to modulate the immune system. The aims of this paper were to investigate a possible synchronization of their effects on cytokines and NO production and the resistance to Trypanosoma cruzi during the acute phase of infection. It was found that zinc, DHEA or zinc and DHEA supplementation enhanced the immune response, as evidenced by a significant reduction in parasitemia levels. Zinc and DHEA supplementation exerted additive effects on the immune response by elevation of macrophage counts, and by increasing concentrations of IFN-γ and NO.