Eicosapentaenoic Acid Modulates Trichomonas vaginalis Activity.
Trichomonas vaginalis is a sexually transmitted parasite and, while it is often asymptomatic in males, the parasite is associated with disease in both sexes. Metronidazole is an effective treatment for trichomoniasis, but resistant strains have evolved and, thus, it has become necessary to investigate other possible therapies. In this study, we examined the effects of native and oxidized forms of the sodium salts of eicosapentaenoic, docosahexaenoic, and arachidonic acids on T. vaginalis activity. Eicosapentaenoic acid was the most toxic with 190 and 380 μM causing approximately 90% cell death in Casu2 and ATCC 50142 strains, respectively. In contrast, oxidized eicosapentaenoic acid was the least toxic, requiring > 3 mM to inhibit activity, while low levels (10 μM) were associated with increased parasite density. Mass spectrometric analysis of oxidized eicosapentaenoic acid revealed C20 products containing one to six additional oxygen atoms and various degrees of bond saturation. These results indicate that eicosapentaenoic acid has different effects on T. vaginalis survival, depending on whether it is present in the native or oxidized form. A better understanding of lipid metabolism in T. vaginalis may facilitate the design of synthetic fatty acids that are effective for the treatment of metronidazole-resistant T. vaginalis.
The Haskins Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, 41 Park Row, New York City, New York, 10038.
Travis
T
Korosh
The Haskins Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, 41 Park Row, New York City, New York, 10038.
Kelsey D
KD
Jordan
The Haskins Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, 41 Park Row, New York City, New York, 10038.
Ja-Shin
JS
Wu
The Haskins Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, 41 Park Row, New York City, New York, 10038.
Nigel
N
Yarlett
The Haskins Laboratories, Department of Chemistry and Physical Sciences, Pace University, 41 Park Row, New York City, New York, 10038.
Rita K
RK
Upmacis
D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D001095:Arachidonic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004351:Drug Resistance; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000494:pharmacology; D021261:Parasitic Sensitivity Tests; D014246:Trichomonas vaginalis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism
D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D001095:Arachidonic Acids; D008795:Metronidazole; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Disease; fatty acid/oxidation; fish oil; infection; lipids; omega-3 fatty acids; polyunsaturated fatty acids; trichomoniasis