Protein deficiency alters CX3CL1 and endothelin-1 in experimental Trypanosoma cruzi-induced cardiomyopathy.

OBJECTIVE

Chagas heart disease is developed as a result of the infection with Trypanosoma cruzi. Protein malnutrition contributes to secondary immunodeficiency. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of a low protein diet on the production of endothelin-1 and CX3CL1 in blood and cardiac tissue samples in an experimental model with T. cruzi infection.

METHODS

Fisher rats were submitted to low protein (6%) and normal protein (15%) diets and then infected with the Y strain of T. cruzi. At days 15 and 120, parasites and immune cells were evaluated.

RESULTS

The low protein diet reduced body weight and circulating serum proteins, but promoted elevation of CX3CL1 and endothelin-1 levels in infected animals, which were unable to control blood parasitemia replication. In heart tissue, the low protein diet reduced cardiac CX3CL1, endothelin-1 and leucocyte infiltration in the acute phase, in particular CD68 and CD163 macrophage phenotypes.

CONCLUSION

Together, these results highlight the participation of endothelin-1 and CX3CL1 in the inflammatory process of Chagas diesease, both being mediators partially controlled by the host nutritional status.