Melatonin reduces the severity of experimental amoebiasis.
Parasit Vectors
; 4: 62, 2011 Apr 18.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21501501
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Melatonin has immunomodulatory effects but very little is known about its influence in protozoan infections, such as Entamoeba histolytica, which causes amoebiasis, a disease with significant morbidity and mortality. In this study, we evaluated the effects of exogenous melatonin interference in experimental amoebiasis and on interactions between human blood cells and E. histolytica trophozoites.METHODS:
The effect of melatonin was investigated in models of experimental amoebiasis in hamsters and rats by evaluating the area of necrosis induced by E. histolytica. The activity of melatonin on the interactions between leukocytes and amoebae was determined by examining leukophagocytosis. For in vitro tests, polymorphonuclear and mononuclear human blood leucocytes were incubated with E. histolytica trophozoites.RESULTS:
The areas of amoebic necrosis were significantly reduced in animals treated with melatonin. Melatonin treatment increased leukophagocytosis but was associated with a greater number of dead amoebae.CONCLUSIONS:
These results suggest that melatonin may play a beneficial role in the control of amoebic lesions, raising the possibility that this drug may be used as an adjuvant in anti-amoebic therapy.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Entamoebiasis
/
Immunologic Factors
/
Melatonin
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Animals
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
En
Journal:
Parasit Vectors
Year:
2011
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Brazil