title: Immunomodulatory effects of zinc and DHEA on the Th-1 immune response in rats infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.
abstract: 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-gamma and NO.
authors: Laboratório de Parasitologia, Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-Universidade de São Paulo, Avenida do Café s/n, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil.
authors: Vânia
authors: V
authors: Brazão
authors: Fabricia Helena
authors: FH
authors: Santello
authors: Leony Cristina
authors: LC
authors: Caetano
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Del Vecchio Filipin
authors: Míriam Paula Alonso
authors: MP
authors: Toldo
authors: José Clóvis
authors: JC
authors: do Prado
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002452:Cell Count; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017737:Macrophages, Peritoneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D016207:Cytokines; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D015032:Zinc