Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Parasite Induced Genetically Driven Autoimmune Chagas Heart Disease in the Chicken Model
09:23

Parasite Induced Genetically Driven Autoimmune Chagas Heart Disease in the Chicken Model

Published on: July 29, 2012

Selective decrease of components of the creatine kinase system and ATP synthase complex in chronic Chagas disease

Priscila Camillo Teixeira1, Ronaldo Honorato Barros Santos, Alfredo Inácio Fiorelli

  • 1Laboratory of Immunology, Heart Institute, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases
|July 9, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC) shows reduced levels of key enzymes for ATP production, indicating a more severe energy deficit compared to other cardiomyopathies. This impairment may explain the loss of contractile function in CCC patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC) is an inflammatory condition with a poor prognosis.
  • Heart failure in CCC is linked to impaired myocardial energy metabolism and contractile dysfunction.
  • Trypanosoma cruzi infection causes CCC, prevalent in Latin America.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate myocardial gene and protein expression of key ATP-producing mitochondrial enzymes.
  • To assess enzyme activity in end-stage CCC, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC), and ischemic cardiomyopathy (IC).
  • To correlate metabolic changes with contractile dysfunction in CCC.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of myocardial samples from CCC, IC, IDC patients, and heart donors.
  • Quantification of mitochondrial creatine kinase (CKMit), muscular creatine kinase (CKM), and ATP synthase subunits (alpha, beta) using immunoblotting and real-time RT-PCR.
  • Assessment of total myocardial creatine kinase (CK) activity.

Main Results:

  • CKM protein levels and CK activity were reduced across all cardiomyopathy groups.
  • ATP synthase alpha chain protein levels and total CK activity were significantly lower in CCC compared to IC and IDC.
  • CCC myocardium exhibited a selective reduction in enzymes vital for cytoplasmic ATP maintenance.

Conclusions:

  • Selective impairment of the creatine kinase (CK) system in CCC may contribute to reduced inotropic reserve.
  • Lower ATP synthase alpha levels suggest decreased ATP generation via oxidative phosphorylation in CCC.
  • CCC patients exhibit a more pronounced myocardial energetic deficit than other dilated cardiomyopathies.
Abstract

More Related Videos

In Vitro Drug Screening Against All Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi Using Parasites Expressing β-galactosidase08:48

In Vitro Drug Screening Against All Life Cycle Stages of Trypanosoma cruzi Using Parasites Expressing β-galactosidase

Published on: November 5, 2021

Chemical Cartography Approaches to Study Trypanosomatid Infection08:21

Chemical Cartography Approaches to Study Trypanosomatid Infection

Published on: January 21, 2022

Related Concept Videos

American Trypanosomiasis01:22

American Trypanosomiasis

Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan (kinetoplastid) of the family Trypanosomatidae. The disease is endemic in Latin America, although cases are increasingly reported worldwide due to human migration. Transmission most commonly occurs when feces of infected triatomine bugs contaminate bite wounds or mucosal surfaces; additional routes include congenital, transfusional, transplant-related, and oral...
Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...
Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy IV: Restrictive Cardiomyopathy

Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a rare heart muscle disease characterized by impaired ventricular filling due to stiffened ventricular walls, leading to significant diastolic dysfunction.EtiologyRestrictive cardiomyopathy can arise from both inherited and acquired diseases, many of which are systemic. It is categorized into four main types: infiltrative, storage, non-infiltrative, and endomyocardial diseases.Infiltrative diseases, such as amyloidosis, lead to RCM by depositing amyloid...
Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
Myocarditis I: Introduction01:21

Myocarditis I: Introduction

Myocarditis is inflammation of the myocardium, which is the muscular layer of the heart.EtiologyMyocarditis has a diverse etiology, including a wide range of infectious and non-infectious causes:Infectious CausesViral: Common viruses include Coxsackie A and B, adenovirus, parvovirus B19, enteroviruses, and influenza A.Bacterial: Examples include infections caused by Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Mycoplasma species.Rickettsial: Infections like Rocky Mountain spotted fever can result in...
Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

Imbalances in Cardiac Output

The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...