Correlation between the cytokine profile and anticongestive medication in patients with chronic chagasic cardiopathy.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic chagasic cardiopathy (CCC) is essentially a dilated cardiomyopathy in which a subacute, but constant chronic inflammatory process causes progressive destruction of the heart tissue. The action of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and anti-inflammatory cytokines, like interleukin IL-10 and IL-17, plays a fundamental role in the immunopathogenesis and evolution of disease. Early anti-congestive therapy, aimed at changing the morbidity and mortality rate, has been shown to reduce disease progression and to alter patients' immune response pattern. METHODS: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the profile of Th1 and Th17 cytokines and IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ expressions in different stages of CCC. Forty patients affected by chronic Chagas disease were divided into different groups according to the stage of the pathology. In agreement with the Brazilian consensus on Chagas disease, patients were classified as presenting an undetermined form, a cardiac form and a digestive form. Serum IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-17 were evaluated. RESULTS: Lower serum IFN-γ concentrations were detected in patients receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (p = 0.0182), but not in those using angiotensin receptor blockers (p = 0.0783). Patients using amiodarone and aldosterone antagonist presented higher serum TNF-α concentrations (p = 0.0106 and 0.0187, respectively). IL-10 and IL-17 levels did not differ between the study groups (p = 0.7273 and p = 0.6697, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the cytokine profile and disease progression are altered by anti-congestive medications commonly prescribed for CCC.

Diagnóstico diferencial de pericardite aguda no infarto agudo do miocárdio com supradesnivelamento de segmento ST: relato de caso / Differential diagnosis of acute pericarditis in ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction: case report

A pericardite é um processo inflamatório do pericárdio de múltiplas causas, sendo a infecção viral a mais comum. O infarto agudo do miocárdio é um dos principais diagnósticos diferenciais. O objetivo deste artigo foi relatar um caso de pericardite aguda com supradesnivelamento de segmento ST. Os dados foram coletados em um hospital de ensino do Estado de Minas Gerais. O paciente era do sexo masculino, tinha 24 anos e era negro. Foi encaminhado ao serviço médico terciário devido à hipótese de síndrome coronariana aguda com supradesnivelamento do segmento ST. Nos exames do serviço médico de origem, apresentava supradesnivelamento do segmento ST de caráter difuso simultaneamente em paredes inferior e anterior, e alteração da isoenzima MB da creatina quinase de 100ng/mL e troponina I de 21ng/mL. No momento da admissão, encontrava-se em bom estado geral, afebril, estável hemodinamicamente e sem queixa de dor. Referiu que 4 dias antes da admissão, apresentou febre, mal-estar geral, odinofagia e tratamento de amigdalite. Os exames da admissão demonstravam ritmo sinusal, frequência cardíaca de 75bpm, supradesnivelamento de ST em D2, D3, aVF, V1 a V6, isoenzima MB da creatina quinase de 152ng/mL, troponina I de 1,28ng/mL, hemograma normal; ecocardiograma mostrou pericárdio de aspecto anatômico normal e fração de ejeção de 64%. O diagnóstico foi de pericardite aguda de provável etiologia infecciosa. O tratamento foi realizado com ibuprofeno por 7 dias e colchicina por 3 meses. Paciente evoluiu com alta hospitalar após 5 dias. O diagnóstico correto proporcionou a condução adequada do caso, permitindo a redução dos custos hospitalares e eliminando riscos de procedimentos desnecessários. (AU)

Pericarditis is an inflammatory process of the pericardium of multiple causes, being the most common viral infection. Acute myocardial infarction is one of the main differential diagnoses. The objective of this article was to report a case of acute pericarditis with ST-segment elevation. Data were collected at a teaching hospital in the state of Minas Gerais. The patient was a man of 24 years, black. He was referred to the tertiary medical service due to the hypothesis of Acute Coronary Syndrome with ST-segment elevation. In the tests from the medical service of origin, there was diffuse ST-segment elevation, simultaneously on lower and anterior walls, and a change in the Creatinine Kinase MB Isoenzyme of 100ng/ml, and troponin I of 21ng/ml. At the time of admission, he was in good general condition, afebrile, hemodynamically stable, with no complaint of pain. He said that 4 days before admission he had fever, malaise, odynophagia, and treatment for tonsillitis. The admission tests showed sinus rhythm, heart rate of 75bpm, ST-elevation in D2, D3, aVF, V1 to V6, MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase of 152ng/ml, troponin I of 1.28ng/ml, normal complete blood count; echocardiogram showed pericardium of normal anatomical aspect and ejection fraction of 64%. The diagnosis was acute pericarditis of probable infectious etiology. Treatment was performed with ibuprofen for seven days, and colchicine for three months. The patient was discharged from hospital after 5 days. The correct diagnosis provided adequate case management, allowing for reduced hospital costs, and eliminating risks of unnecessary procedures. (AU)

Correlation between the cytokine profile and anticongestive medication in patients with chronic chagasic cardiopathy

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Chronic chagasic cardiopathy (CCC) is essentially a dilated cardiomyopathy in which a subacute, but constant chronic inflammatory process causes progressive destruction of the heart tissue. The action of proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), and anti-inflammatory cytokines, like interleukin IL-10 and IL-17, plays a fundamental role in the immunopathogenesis and evolution of disease. Early anti-congestive therapy, aimed at changing the morbidity and mortality rate, has been shown to reduce disease progression and to alter patients' immune response pattern. METHODS: This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the profile of Th1 and Th17 cytokines and IL-17, TNF-α, and IFN-γ expressions in different stages of CCC. Forty patients affected by chronic Chagas disease were divided into different groups according to the stage of the pathology. In agreement with the Brazilian consensus on Chagas disease, patients were classified as presenting an undetermined form, a cardiac form and a digestive form. Serum IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-17 were evaluated. RESULTS: Lower serum IFN-γ concentrations were detected in patients receiving angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (p = 0.0182), but not in those using angiotensin receptor blockers (p = 0.0783). Patients using amiodarone and aldosterone antagonist presented higher serum TNF-α concentrations (p = 0.0106 and 0.0187, respectively). IL-10 and IL-17 levels did not differ between the study groups (p = 0.7273 and p = 0.6697, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the cytokine profile and disease progression are altered by anti-congestive medications commonly prescribed for CCC.

Effects of aspirin-triggered resolvin D1 on peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with Chagas' heart disease.

Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi). In some patients with Chagas disease, symptoms progress to chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy. Endogenously, inflammation is resolved in the presence of lipid mediators such as aspirin-triggered RvD1 (AT-RvD1) which has anti-inflammatory and pro-resolution effects. Here, we demonstrated, for the first time, the effects of AT-RvD1 on T. cruzi antigen-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with Chagas heart disease. The levels of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-13 increased in PBMCs from cardiac-form Chagas patients in stage B1 (patients with fewer heart abnormalities) stimulated with T. cruzi antigen compared to those in non-stimulated PBMCs. AT-RvD1 reduced the IFN-γ concentrations in PBMCs from patients with Chagas disease stimulated with T. cruzi antigen compared to stimulated with T. cruzi antigen cells. AT-RvD1 treatment resulted in no observable changes in TNF-α, IL-10, and IL-13 levels. AT-RvD1 significantly decreased the percentage of necrotic cells and caused a significant reduction in the proliferation rate of T. cruzi antigen-stimulated PBMCs from patients with Chagas disease. These findings demonstrate that AT-RvD1 modulates the immune response in Chagas disease patients and might have potential to be used as an alternative approach for slowing the development of further heart damage.