Suppressive action of melatonin on the TH-2 immune response in rats infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

:  Control of the acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection is critically dependent on cytokine‐mediated macrophage activation to intracellular killing, natural killer (NK) cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and B cells. Cell‐mediated immunity in T. cruzi infection is also modulated by cytokines, bu...

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Published in:Journal of pineal research 2008-10, Vol.45 (3), p.291-296
Main Authors: Santello, Fabricia Helena, Frare, Eduardo Osório, Dos Santos, Carla Domingues, Caetano, Leony Cristina, Alonso Toldo, Míriam Paula, Do Prado Jr, José Clóvis
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis of Variance
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Chagas Disease - drug therapy
Chagas Disease - immunology
Chagas Disease - parasitology
Concanavalin A - pharmacology
Cytokines - blood
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
IL-10
IL-4
immunity
Immunity, Active
Immunity, Innate
Interleukin-10 - blood
Interleukin-4 - blood
Macrophages - immunology
Melatonin - administration & dosage
Melatonin - pharmacology
Parasitemia
Rats
Rats, Wistar
splenocyte
TGF-β
Th1 Cells - immunology
Th2 Cells - immunology
Transforming Growth Factor beta - blood
Trypanosoma cruzi
Trypanosoma cruzi - physiology
Vertebrates: endocrinology
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Summary::  Control of the acute phase of Trypanosoma cruzi infection is critically dependent on cytokine‐mediated macrophage activation to intracellular killing, natural killer (NK) cells, CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells and B cells. Cell‐mediated immunity in T. cruzi infection is also modulated by cytokines, but in addition to parasite‐specific responses, autoimmunity can be also triggered. Importantly, cytokines may also play a role in the cell‐mediated immunity of infected subjects. Here we studied the role of cytokines in the regulation of innate and adaptive immunity during the acute phase of T. cruzi infection in Wistar rats. Melatonin is an effective regulator of the immune system. Macrophages and T lymphocytes, which have melatonin receptors, are target cells for the immunomodulatory function of melatonin. In this paper melatonin was orally given via two protocols: prior to and concomitant with infection. Both treatments were highly effective against T. cruzi with enhanced action for the concomitant treatment. The data suggest an up‐regulation of the TH‐1 immune response as all analyzed parameters, interleukin (IL)‐4, IL‐10, transforming growth factor‐β1 and splenocyte proliferation, displayed reduced levels as compared with the untreated counterparts. However, the direct effects of melatonin on immune cells have not been fully investigated during T. cruzi infection. We conclude that in light of the current results, melatonin exerted important therapeutic benefits through its immune regulatory effects.
ISSN:0742-3098
1600-079X
DOI:10.1111/j.1600-079X.2008.00589.x