Avaliação do processo regenerativo em neurônios do sistema nervoso entérico de pacientes chagásicos portadores de megacólon

Abstract

Chagas disease is one of the most serious parasitic diseases in Latin America, with social and economic impact that far outweigh the combined effects of other parasitic diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis. Chagas´ disease has two well-defined phases: acute and chronic phase. The acute phase lasts approximately two to three months. After this phase, the individual enters an asymptomatic state, which characterizes the early chronic phase. In the chronic phase of the disease, the destruction of enteric nervous system (ENS) components leads to the development of megacolon. The megacolon is characterized by colon dilatation associated with an inflammatory infiltrate which is the main cause of enteric neurons destruction. These neurons, when suffer some aggression, may exhibit a regeneration process. Knowing the existence of various types of enteric neurons with different functions, this study aimed to evaluate the detailed regeneration process of ENS neuronal subclasses from chagasic patients with megacolon and non-infected individuals. For this, we used a marker of neuronal regeneration (GAP-43) associated with a pan-neuronal marker (Peripherin) and various neuropeptides markers (cChat, substance P, neuropeptide Y, VIP and NOS). Thus, to assess the ability of various subclasses of neuronal regeneration, we verified that the levels of regeneration cChat, substance P and neuropeptide Y are similar in Chagas´ patients and non-infected individuals. However, VIP and NOS neuronal regeneration levels are increased in chagasic patients when compared to non-infected individuals. We believe that the increase in regeneration rate of these neurons may be a consequence of the selective neuronal destruction, representing an attempt to replenish neuronal classes most affected.