Evaluation of effects the zinc supplementation during pregnancy in infected mice with Y and Bolivia strain of Trypanosoma cruzi / Avaliação dos efeitos da suplementação de zinco durante a gestação de camundongos infectados com as cepas Y e Bolivia de Trypanosoma Cruzi

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2006

RESUMO

A bulk of information concerning the relevance of supplementation and absence of certain nutrients in the modulation of the infection is available in the literature. Several physiological alterations can severely compromise plasmatic zinc levels during gestation, which is characterized by low zinc levels due to enhanced absorption of micronutrients and fetal transference. The benefits of zinc supplementation during the course of infectious diseases and during pregnancy are well known facts. Few data can be found concerning the effects of zinc supplementation during chagasic infection. The objectives of this work were to evaluate the plasmatic and tecidual concentration of zinc, the possible beneficial effects of zinc supplementation in pregnant and infected Mus musculus not only regarding to control maternal parasite levels but also to reduce fetal damage, and to evaluate the in vitro effects in cell culture. Pregnant and non pregnant Swiss mice were i.p. infected with two different T. cruzi strains (Bolivia and Y strains). Animals were daily supplied with 20mg/Kg of zinc sulphate during 7 days for Y strain and 14 days for Bolívia. Several parameters were evaluated: parasitemia, maternal weight, fetal size and weight, development of the litter after birth, plasmatic and tecidual concentration of Zn, mortality rate, hystopathology, and the effects of Zn supplementation on cell culture. Pregnant and infected females supplemented with Zn displayed reduced parasitemia, did not enhance body weight, bigger litters and placental size and weight. The presence of this micronutrient did not alter the length of fetuses and neonates, as well its weight and mortality rate. The hystopathological observation for Bolivia strain, showed reduced number of amastigote burdens in all evaluated organs and low inflammatory infiltrate. Plasmatic and tecidual zinc concentration were elevated in all animals supplemented with zinc. The in vitro observations of T. cruzi amastigote forms in the presence of zinc sulphate revealed a potential tripanocidal effect but also a citotoxic effect on cell culture. We concluded that zinc supplementation during pregnancy of infected mice in some way triggered a stimulatory immune modulation, leading to a better fetal development, reduced mortality rate and control of blood and tecidual parasite burdens

ASSUNTO(S)

suplementos dieteticos zinc dietary supplements trypanosoma cruzi pregnancy parasitemia prenhez trypanosoma cruzi parasitemia zinco

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