Biochemical association between essential trace elements and susceptibility to Leishmania major in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice
Braz. j. infect. dis
; 13(2): 83-85, Apr. 2009. graf
Article
en En
| LILACS
| ID: lil-538209
Biblioteca responsable:
BR1.1
ABSTRACT
Several enzymes that contribute to immune system responses require zinc and copper as trace elements for their activity. We examined zinc and copper levels in two susceptible Balb/c mouse lines and resistant C57bl/6 mice infected with Leishmania major MRHO/IR/75/ER, a prevalent strain that causes cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Serum Zn and Cu were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Higher Cu levels were found in infected C57bl/6 mice and higher Zn levels were found in infected Balb/c mice. Also, Cu/Zn ratios were increased in both the Balb/c and the C57bl/6 mice. We conclude that concentrations of essential trace elements vary during cutaneous leishmaniasis infection and that this variation is associated with susceptibility/resistance to Leishmania major in Balb/c and C57bl/6 mice. We detected Zn deficiency in the plasma of infected Balb/c mice; possibly, therapeutic administration of Zn would be useful for treating this form of leishmaniasis. Increases in Cu level might increase resistance to leishmaniasis. Based on our findings, the Cu/Zn ratio could be a useful marker for the pathophysiology of leishmaniasis.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Índice:
LILACS
Asunto principal:
Zinc
/
Leishmaniasis Cutánea
/
Leishmania major
/
Cobre
Tipo de estudio:
Risk_factors_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Braz. j. infect. dis
Asunto de la revista:
DOENCAS TRANSMISSIVEIS
Año:
2009
Tipo del documento:
Article