DHEAs and cytokine abnormalities in human chronic chagas disease

PEREZ AR, SILVA BARBOSA S, BERBERT L, LIOI S, PELLIZON O, GASTALDI L, PETRUCCI J, REVELLI S, BELOSCAR J, BOTTASSSO O, SAVINO W.

Rosario, Argentina

Otro; Galeria de Produccion Cientifica Facultas de Ciencias Medicas; 2009

Facultad de Ciencias Medicas UNR

DHEA-sulfate and cytokine abnormalities in human chronic Chagas disease.   Pérez AR1, Silva-Barbosa SD3, Berbert LR3, Lioi S2, Pellizón O2, Gastaldi L2, Petrucci J2, Revelli S1, Beloscar J2, Bottasso O1,  Savino W3.   1Instituto de Inmunologia, Faculdad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Argentina; 2Cardiology Unit, Universidad Nacional de Rosário; 3Laboratory on Thymus Research, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazil.   The immuno-endocrine response during infectious diseases can be involved both in protection and pathology. Given the influence of adrenal steroids (cortisol -CT- and dehydroepiandrosterone -DHEA-), to shift cytokine balance and the ensuing anti-infectious immunity and disease outcome, chronically T. cruzi-infected individuals with cardiac complaints, or not, were assessed for levels of HPA axis-related hormones and cytokines. The sample was composed of chronically infected individuals with different degree of heart affectation (without n=16; mild n=13 or severe n= 13) and healthy controls (Co, n=20). The study was approved by official ethics committee. Plasma levels of ACTH, CT and DHEA-sulfate (EQL), TNF-a, IFNg, IL-10 and IL-4 were evaluated. Circulating ACTH and CT levels in chagasic patients remained similar to those seen in Co. DHEA-sulfate decreased as cardiac manifestations increased (p<0.02) with GC/DHEA-sulfate ratio being significantly augmented in severe patients (p<0.01). TNF-a and IL-4 were more elevated in patients with severe pathology, when compared to the other groups (p<0.05, both cases), whereas IFN-g and IL-10 remained unchanged. Correlation analyses between DHEA-sulfate or CT/DHEA-sulfate ratio with cytokines were not significant. In conclusion, DHEA-sulfate level may be envisioned as a further serum marker for the progression of the cardiomyopathy occurring in human Chagas disease. Financial support: CNPq-(ProSul) and Fiocruz (Brazil); SCyT-UNR (Argentina).