Melatonin attenuates Leishmania (L.) amazonensis infection by modulating arginine metabolism. Issue 4 (10th October 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Laranjeira‐Silva, Maria Fernanda; Zampieri, Ricardo A.; Muxel, Sandra M.; Floeter‐Winter, Lucile Maria; Markus, Regina P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of pineal research. Volume 59:Issue 4(2015)
• Page Start: 478
• Page End: 487
• Publication Date: 2015-10-10
• Subjects: arginase -- cationic amino acid transporter -- macrophage -- nitric oxide synthase -- polyamines; Pineal gland -- Periodicals; Pineal Gland -- Periodicals; Épiphyse (Glande); Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 612.492
• DOI: 10.1111/jpi.12279
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0742-3098

Abstract

Abstract: Acute inflammatory responses induced by bacteria or fungi block nocturnal melatonin synthesis by rodent pineal glands. Here, we show Leishmania infection does not impair daily melatonin rhythm in hamsters. Remarkably, the attenuated parasite burden and lesion progression in hamsters infected at nighttime was impaired by blockage of melatonin receptors with luzindole, whereas melatonin treatment during the light phase attenuated Leishmania infection. In vitro studies corroborated in vivo observations. Melatonin treatment reduced macrophage expression of C at‐2b, Cat1, and ArgI, genes involved in arginine uptake and polyamine synthesis. Indeed, melatonin reduced macrophage arginine uptake by 40%. Putrescine supplementation reverted the attenuation of infectivity by melatonin indicating that its effect was due to the arrest of parasite replication. This study shows that the Leishmania /host interaction varies in a circadian manner according to nocturnal melatonin pineal synthesis. Our results provide new data regarding Leishmania infectiveness and show new approaches for applying agonists of melatonin receptors in Leishmaniasis therapy.