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Progressive Chagas' cardiomyopathy is associated with low selenium levels
Maria Teresa Rivera1, Andréa P de Souza, Alejandro Marcel Hasslocher-Moreno
1Departamento de Ultra-estrutura e Biologia Celular, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
|September 13, 2002
Summary
Selenium (Se) deficiency is linked to heart dysfunction in Chagas disease patients. Lower Se levels in symptomatic patients suggest it may be a marker for Trypanosoma cruzi infection progression.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nutritional Science
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Selenium (Se) deficiency is associated with certain cardiomyopathies.
- Chagas' disease, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, can lead to cardiac complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate selenium status in patients with chronic Chagas' disease.
- To determine if selenium levels correlate with disease severity and progression.
Main Methods:
- Selenium levels were measured in 170 patients from two Brazilian regions.
- Patients were stratified into asymptomatic (IND, CARDa) and symptomatic (CARDb) groups, with healthy adults (HA) as controls.
- Echocardiography assessed ventricular ejection fraction; glutathione peroxidase activity and thyrotropin levels were also measured.
Main Results:
- Selenium levels were significantly lower in symptomatic cardiac patients (CARDb) compared to healthy adults and other patient groups.
- Selenium levels showed a positive correlation with ventricular ejection fraction.
- Low selenium was observed in chagasic patients with digestive megasyndromes.
Conclusions:
- Decreased selenium levels in Chagas' disease patients may serve as a biological marker for Trypanosoma cruzi infection.
- Reduced selenium is associated with the progression of Chagas' disease pathology, particularly cardiac dysfunction.