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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
PubMed

Insights

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.

Keywords:
Trypanosoma cruziChagas’ diseasecomplementinflammation

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