title: Effect of L-arginine analogs and a calcium chelator on nitric oxide (NO) production by Leishmania sp.
abstract: Leishmania amazonensis, L. braziliensis and L. chagasi promastigotes were grown in the presence of L-arginine analogs such as Nomega-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), NG-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) and D-arginine (an inactive L-arginine isomer), besides an intracellular calcium chelator [ethylene glycol-bis (beta-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetra acetic acid; EGTA] to verify the importance of L-arginine metabolism and the cofactors for these parasites. The parasite's growth curve was followed up and the culture supernatants were used to assay nitric oxide (NO) production by the Griess reaction. The results showed a significant effect of L-arginine analogs on NO production by all Leishmania species studied, especially L-NAME, an irreversible inhibitor of the constitutive nitric oxide synthase (cNOS). When L. amazonensis promastigotes were pre-incubated with L-NAME, the infection range of the murine macrophages was lowered to 61% in 24 h and 19% after 48 h. These data demonstrated that the parasite NO pathway is important to the establishment of the infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. genestra@ioc.fiocruz.br
authors.forename: Marcelo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Genestra
authors.forename: Léa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cysne-Finkelstein
authors.forename: Damiana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Guedes-Silva
authors.forename: Leonor L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Leon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002614:Chelating Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004533:Egtazic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D007891:Leishmania / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D002614:Chelating Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D004533:Egtazic Acid; D001120:Arginine; D002118:Calcium