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Parasite Induced Genetically Driven Autoimmune Chagas Heart Disease in the Chicken Model
Published on: July 29, 2012
Complement Factor H as a potential atherogenic marker in chronic Chagas' disease
K C F Lidani1, T L Sandri1,2, F A Andrade1
1Laboratory of Molecular Immunopathology, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.
Parasite Immunology
|May 20, 2018
Summary
Plasma levels of complement Factor H (FH) correlate with metabolic issues in chronic Chagas' disease (CD). Higher FH links to dyslipidemia and inflammation, suggesting a role in immune and metabolic dysregulation in CD patients.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cardiology
- Metabolic Disorders
Background:
- Chronic Chagas' disease (CD) involves complex immune and metabolic alterations.
- The role of complement Factor H (FH) in the pathogenesis of CD, particularly cardiac involvement and metabolic parameters, remains under-investigated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between plasma Factor H (FH) levels and cardiac involvement, inflammatory, and cardiometabolic parameters in patients with chronic Chagas' disease (CD).
Main Methods:
- Plasma FH levels were measured in 80 chronic CD patients.
- Cardiometabolic parameters (glycemic index, lipidogram, BMI, blood pressure) and inflammatory marker (uCRP) were analyzed.
- Cardiac function (LVEF) was assessed via echocardiography.
- Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney and Spearman correlation tests.
Main Results:
- FH levels positively correlated with triglycerides, LDL-C, total cholesterol, uCRP, and BMI.
- FH levels negatively correlated with HDL-C.
- Dyslipidemic patients exhibited higher FH levels compared to normolipidemic patients.
- No significant difference in FH levels was found between different clinical forms of chronic CD.
Conclusions:
- Complement Factor H (FH) is associated with cardiometabolic and inflammatory parameters in chronic Chagas' disease (CD).
- The alternative complement pathway may link immune response and metabolic disorders in CD.
- FH plays a potential immunoregulatory role in the context of metabolic disturbances in chronic CD.
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