Inflammatory and metabolic mediators in different forms of Chagas disease: correlation with autonomic disfunction

Abstract

The main mechanisms for Chagas cardiomyopathy is the involvement of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS), the microvascular dysfunction and inflammatory disorders. However, some aspects of the pathophysiology of chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) are still unknown. The CCC has specific characteristics such as cardiac denervation and neurohormonal abnormalities that differ from other heart diseases. The association between metabolic mediators, inflammatory cytokines and autonomic dysfunction in patients with Chagas disease is controversial. This different pathophysiology suggests that some metabolic parameters may be altered in Chagas disease. The aim of this study will be measure metabolic markers such as blood lipids, glucose, insulin, leptin and adiponectin and inflammatory markers like interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor. We will measure the intima-media thickness of carotid arteries for assessment of subclinical atherosclerosis. These markers will be correlated with measures of function of the ANS. We believe that the contribution of this study will be a better understanding of the association between metabolic and inflammatory markers with autonomic dysfunction in the pathophysiology of Chagas disease. (AU)