Abstract
Chagas disease (CD) is one of the most important neglected tropical diseases in the American continent. Host-derived nitroxidative stress in response to Trypanosoma cruzi infection can induce tissue damage contributing to the progression of Chagas disease. Antioxidant supplementation has been suggested as adjuvant therapy to current treatment. In this article, we synthesize and discuss the current evidence regarding the use of antioxidants as adjunctive compounds to fight harmful reactive oxygen species and lower the tissue oxidative damage during progression of chronic Chagas disease. Several antioxidants evaluated in recent studies have shown potential benefits for the control of oxidative stress in the host's tissues. Melatonin, resveratrol, the combination of vitamin C/vitamin E (vitC/vitE) or curcumin/benznidazole, and mitochondria-targeted antioxidants seem to be beneficial in reducing plasma and cardiac levels of lipid peroxidation products. Nevertheless, further research is needed to validate beneficial effects of antioxidant therapies in Chagas disease.
Highlights
Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, belongs to the group of neglected tropical diseases that affects more than 1 billion of the poorest and most marginalized people in the world [1]
The natural cycle of T. cruzi transmission evidenced with the detection of a high rate of infection in dogs [2, 3] and autochthonous cases of CD in humans [4] is documented in the Southern USA
This study provides evidence that mitochondrial ROS (mtROS) inhibition of the NFE2L2/antioxidant response elements (ARE) pathway constitutes a key mechanism in signaling the fibrotic gene expression and evolution of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy
Summary
Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, belongs to the group of neglected tropical diseases that affects more than 1 billion of the poorest and most marginalized people in the world [1]. ROS can elicit a consequent antioxidant depletion and immunological response that causes persistent inflammation and oxidative damage of proteins, lipids, and DNA leading to the pathological tissue manifestations in CD [28, 35, 44]. In these circumstances, it is necessary to review the current and new emerging evidence about antioxidant administration in CD. We proceeded to (i) synthesize the published evidence on the use of antioxidants in CD, including experimental and preclinical research, (ii) describe the main characteristics of the published studies to shape the directions for future research, and (iii) discuss the potential usefulness of antioxidants as complementary or adjunct therapy with antiparasitic drugs for control of oxidative tissue damage and Chagas cardiomyopathy
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
