Modulation of macrophage activity, induced by beta-1,3 polyglucose extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisae, in BALB/c mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii

THESIS

Modulation of macrophage activity, induced by b-1,3 polyglucose extracted from Saccharomyces cerevisae, in BALB/c mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii

R. A. de Oliveira

^{Correspondence}

THESIS. R. A. de Oliveira submitted this thesis for his Doctorate in Tropical Diseases at Botucatu School of Medicine, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil, 2004.

Advisor: Professor Sílvio Luis de Oliveira

ABSTRACT

Toxoplasma gondii is an extremely widespread parasite that chronically infects approximately 20% of the world’s population. b-glucan has been described as a potent immunomodulatory substance. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of b -glucan on the macrophage activity in mice infected with T. gondii. BALB/c mice were infected with 10⁴ tachyzoites/ml by the intraperitoneal (ip) route. The suspension of b-glucan used in this study was extracted from the cellular walls of Saccharomyces cerevisae. The animals received 100µg of glucan by ip route. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and nitric oxide (NO) production by peritoneal and splenic macrophage cultures were determined by phenol red oxidation and Griess reaction, respectively. The results showed that b-glucan has a potent immunomodulatory effect in animals infected with T. gondii, and could be useful in the treatment of this zoonosis.

Key words:Toxoplasma gondii, BALB/c mice, b-glucan.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  21 Nov 2005
• Date of issue
  Dec 2005