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The aim of this study was to assess the role of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) as biomarkers of inflammation and tissue injury on rats experimentally infected by Cryptococcus neoformans. For this purpose, 20 male rats were divided into two groups: 10 animals representing the uninfected control group (Group A) and 10 C. neoformans var. grubii infected animals (Group B). Blood and brain samples were collected on days 10 (A10 and B10), and 30 (A30 and B30) post-infection (PI) for hematological analyses; AChE (in lymphocytes and brain) and seric BChE activity; interleukins (IL-1, IL-6, and IL-10); nitrite/nitrate (NOx) levels; and markers of protein oxidation (AOPP) and lipid peroxidation (TBARS). As a result, when animals of Group A were compared to animals of Group B, it was observed leukocytosis (P<0.05) on day 10 PI; AChE activity increase (P<0.05) in lymphocytes (day 30 PI) and in brain (days 10 and 30 PI); BChE activity decrease (P<0.05) on day 10 PI; IL-1 and IL-6 increase (P<0.01) in both periods, while IL-10 had reduced levels (P<0.01) in the same periods; NOx levels increased (P<0.05) significantly on days 10 and 30 PI, while AOPP and TBARS levels increased significantly on day 30 PI; as well as pneumonia on infected rats. Therefore, based on the results obtained, it was possible to conclude that AChE and BChE behavior lead to a proinflammatory reaction evidenced by the enhancement of IL-1, IL-6, and NOx throughout the experiment associated with reduction on IL-10 levels, and cellular damage., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of treatment with free and nanoencapsulated essential oil of Achyrocline satureioides on trypanosomosis and its oxidative/antioxidants variables in liver and kidney of rats infected experimentally with Trypanosoma evansi. For that, 48 rats were divided into six groups (A-F), eight animals each group. Groups A, C and D were composed of uninfected animals, while animals in groups B, E and F were inoculated intraperitoneally with T. evansi. Groups A and B were used as controls, negative and positive, respectively. Groups C and E receive oil (orally), as well as the animals in groups D and F were treated with nanoencapsulated essential oil. The treatment was not able to eliminate the parasites, but it remained the levels of parasitemia low. The carbonyl levels in liver and kidney did not differ between groups. Infected animals (group B) showed an increase in the TBARS levels and a decrease in the CAT activity and NPSH levels in liver and kidney, compared with the same parameters in the control (group A). Treatment with A. satureioides (groups C and D) did not influence the TBARS levels and CAT activity in the liver, but it increased the CAT activity in kidneys of the animals of group C. NPSH levels decreased in liver in the groups treated with nanoencapsulated essential oil (groups D and F). An interesting result observed was that the animals infected and then treated with essential oil of A. satureioides (groups E and F) did not differ from animals of group A for TBARS, CAT and NPSH, unlike what happened with the animals of group B. Therefore, the treatment with essential oil did not eliminate the parasites from the bloodstream, but it reduced the number of trypanosomes, mainly by its nanoencapsulated form. The same occurred with the lipid peroxidation in the liver. However, the treatments reduced the oxidative damage, and it led to the activation of the antioxidant enzymes. We believe that the association of this natural product with a trypanocidal drug may enhance its curative effect., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to investigate the butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) activity in mice experimentally infected with Toxoplasma gondii during the acute phase. Twenty mice were divided in two groups with 10 animals each: group A was composed of uninfected mice while group B was formed by rodents infected with T. gondii. Five days after infection, blood was collected and serum separated, and fragments of liver and brain were obtained. In serum and liver homogenate was noted a significant reduction (P<0.05) in BChE activity in infected mice when compared with uninfected ones. In serum was observed an increase in the activity of alanine aminotransferase and urea, associated with reduction in alkaline phosphatase activity and in the levels of total protein and albumin. Histologically, there were foci of necrosis and parasites in the forms of tachyzoites and cysts, with bradyzoites in liver samples of infected animals. Based on these results, we conclude that toxoplasmosis reduces BChE activity in mice, and this alteration is probably related to the liver damage caused by the parasitism. Therefore, this enzymatic alteration can directly contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)