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Chronic indeterminate phase of Chagas' disease: mitochondrial involvement in infection with two strains

Alejandra Lidia Báez1, María Silvina Lo Presti, Ricardo Fretes

  • 1Cátedra de Física Biomédica, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina. alejandralidiab@hotmail.com

Parasitology
|November 10, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Chagasic cardiopathy affects cardiac mitochondria even in the chronic indeterminate stage. Trypanosoma cruzi infection alters mitochondrial structure and function, contributing to heart disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Parasitology
  • Mitochondrial Biology

Background:

  • Chagasic cardiopathy is a major cause of heart failure and stroke in Latin America.
  • Oxidative stress in myocytes targets mitochondria, impacting cellular energy supply.
  • The chronic indeterminate phase of Chagas disease is often considered asymptomatic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the structural and functional effects of Trypanosoma cruzi infection on cardiac mitochondria during the chronic indeterminate stage.
  • To compare the impact of two different T. cruzi strains (Tulahuen and SGO Z12) on mitochondrial alterations.

Main Methods:

  • Infection of mice with Tulahuen and SGO Z12 strains of Trypanosoma cruzi.
  • Analysis of cardiac mitochondria structure (matrix volume, diameter) at 75 days post-infection.
  • Assessment of Krebs cycle and mitochondrial respiratory chain function via citrate synthase and complexes I-IV activity assays.

Main Results:

  • Significant structural changes in cardiac mitochondria were observed in both infected groups.
  • Tulahuen-infected mice showed mitochondrial matrix enlargement (83%), while SGO Z12-infected mice exhibited reduced mitochondrial diameter (91%).
  • Krebs cycle and respiratory chain enzyme activities were similarly altered in both infected groups, indicating functional impairment.

Conclusions:

  • The chronic indeterminate phase of Chagas disease is not 'silent' regarding cardiac pathology.
  • Cardiac mitochondria are demonstrably involved in the development and progression of chronic chagasic cardiopathy.
  • Host-parasite equilibrium disruption significantly impacts mitochondrial function in Chagas disease.

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