Open AccessIncreased levels of cortisol are associated with the severity of experimental visceral leishmaniasis in a Leishmania (L.) infantum-hamster model
Author(s) -
Tayany de D. Barros-Gonçalves,
A. Saavedra,
Luzinei da Silva-Couto,
Raquel Peralva RibeiroRomão,
Milla Bezerra-Paiva,
Adriano Gomes-Silva,
Vinícius F. Carvalho,
Alda Maria DaCruz,
Eduardo Costa Pinto
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos neglected tropical diseases
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.99
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1935-2735
pISSN - 1935-2727
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009987
Subject(s) - leishmania infantum , visceral leishmaniasis , arginase , medicine , immunology , leishmaniasis , endocrinology , hydrocortisone , mesocricetus , interleukin 10 , radioimmunoassay , biology , parasitemia , immune system , hamster , arginine , malaria , plasmodium falciparum , biochemistry , amino acid
Background Several infectious diseases are associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis disorders by elevating circulating glucocorticoids (GCs), which are known to have an immunosuppressive potential. We conducted this study in golden hamsters, a suitable model for human visceral leishmaniasis (VL), to investigate the relationship of Leishmania (L . ) infantum infection on cortisol production and VL severity. Methods L . infantum- infected (n = 42) and uninfected hamsters (n = 30) were followed-up at 30, 120, and 180 days post-infection (dpi). Plasma cortisol was analyzed by radioimmunoassay and cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and arginase by RT-qPCR. Results All hamsters showed splenomegaly at 180 dpi. Increased parasite burden was associated with higher arginase expression and lower iNOS induction. Cortisol levels were elevated in infected animals in all-time points evaluated. Except for monocytes, all other leucocytes showed a strong negative correlation with cortisol, while transaminases were positively correlated. Immunological markers as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-10, and transforming growth-factor-β (TGF-β) were positively correlated to cortisol production, while interferon-γ (IFN-γ) presented a negative correlation. A network analysis showed cortisol as an important knot linking clinical status and immunological parameters. Conclusions These results suggest that L . infantum increases the systemic levels of cortisol, which showed to be associated with hematological, biochemical, and immunological parameters associated to VL severity.