University Research Summary: Melatonin and Trypanosoma Cruzi Infection

This report summarizes a study investigating the effects of melatonin on chronic Trypanosoma cruzi infection, commonly known as Chagas' disease. The research hypothesized that daily melatonin administration could modulate oxidative stress and inflammatory responses associated with the disease. The study evaluated various parameters, including lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide production, interleukin-17A levels, and the expression of specific cell markers in lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells. Results indicated that melatonin treatment decreased oxidative stress markers and influenced the production of inflammatory cytokines. The study concludes that melatonin can potentially mitigate oxidative stress and inflammatory processes in the context of Chagas' disease, suggesting a possible therapeutic role. Future research should consider other specimen other than rats.

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Abstract
Even though the exact cause of the Chagas’ disease is still unknown, the oxidative stress
as well as the inflammatory process has been proven to the major etiology of pathogenesis and
dysfunction during chronic infection of Trypanosoma cruzi. The hypothesis of the study was that
melatonin given for two months on a day-to-day could control the inflammatory response and
oxidative stress in the process of chronic infection. The study evaluated RTIB expression, MCP-
1 and LFA-1 in CD4, interleukin-17A levels, and the flow cytometric examination of antigen-
presenting cells as well as microphages. The study found reduced TBARS and nitrate
concentration in melatonin-treated and infected animals. There was an increasing trend in the IL-
17A production as compared to the untreated and infected counterparts. A reduction was also
realized in CD8⁺T and CD4 percentages in lymphocytes producing MCP-1 for melatonin-⁺
treated and infected rats.
Introduction
The article states that melatonin is considered as product of the pineal gland which is
secreted at night and the production is under the controll of the suprachiasmatic nucleus.
Melatonin is greatly effective minimizing the oxidative stress in the body, triggering enhanced
activity of numerous antioxidant enzymes, reducing reactive oxygen species that prompt a
damage to cardiolipin. Cardiolipin is known as a significant substance which play a key role in
bioenergetics of mitochondria. Even though the mechanism applied by metabolites of melatonin
and melatonin itself to restrict lipid peroxidation are not totally understood, it is now
acknowledged that melatonin has the potential to offer protection to cellular lipids, proteins as
well as DNA from the oxidative destruction. The article states melatonin has the capacity to
decrease expression of gene as well as the activities of inducible synthase of nitric oxide. The

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study got Sigma from solutions of trypan, naphthylethylene diamine dihydrochloride, medium of
RPMI1640 solution of phosphoric acid, sulfanilamide, and Escherichia coli.
Conclusion with future work
The study found out that the major role of melatonin is its ability to scavenge freed
radicals in the metabolism of oxygen entailing those from ONOO ions (Brazao et al. 2015). The
study discovered that certain compounds having antioxidant activity have gotten special attention
due to their potential role in controlling oxidative stress linked to chronic conditions like the
Chagas’ disease. it is acknowledged that ROS excess may lead to biomolecules to oxidative
destruction which is a vital factor in the development and pathogenesis of numerous illness
processes entailing diabetes, myocardial infarction, chronic inflammation, cardiovascular
disease, atherosclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. There were decreased NO concentrations in the
infected animals which were also treated with melatonin. Thus, the results suggested that treating
animals with melatonin restricts the production of excessive volume of NO. the study also
obtained that even though the actual mechanism by which metabolites and melatonin react to
restrict LPO are very intricate and not easily clarified, it was established that oxidative stress and
LPO have the potential to be effectively attenuated by melatonin. The action of indolamine in the
study is attributed not only to metabolites but also melatonin. The future work of the study
should consider other specimen other than rats.

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Reference
Brazao, V., Colato, PR., Santello, FH., Flilipin, MDV., do Vale, GT., Tirapelli, CT and do Prado
Junior, JC, 2015, Interleukin-17, oxidative stress, and inflammation: role of melatonin during
Trypanosoma cruzi infection. J. Pineal Res, 59, 488–496. Retrieved from Doi:10.1111/jpi.12280