title: Neuronal counting and parasympathetic dysfunction in the hearts of chronically Trypanosoma cruzi-infected rats.
abstract: Ten male Wistar rats, chronically infected with Colombian, São Felipe (12SF) and Y strains of Trypanosoma cruzi and ten non-infected control animals were submitted to the bradycardia responsiveness test, an assessment of heart parasympathetic function, after phenylephrine injection. Six chagasic animals showed heart parasympathetic dysfunction characterized by reduction in the index of bradycardia baroreflex responsiveness, as compared with the control group. Microscopic examination of the atrial heart ganglia of chagasic rats showed ganglionitis, but no statistically significant reduction in the number of neurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Health Sciences School, University of Brasília, DF.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chapadeiro
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Florêncio
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Afonso
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Beraldo
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: de Jesus
authors.forename: L F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Junqueira Júnior
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005726:Ganglia, Parasympathetic / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006321:Heart / Q000294:innervation*; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000294:innervation; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology*; D010275:Parasympathetic Nervous System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010656:Phenylephrine / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D010656:Phenylephrine