Delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase enzyme activity and the oxidative profile of pregnant women being treated for acute toxoplasmosis.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and oxidative profile, including the activity of the enzyme delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D), in women who acquired toxoplasmosis during pregnancy and used the triple regimen (sulfadiazine + pyrimethamine + folinic acid [SPFA]) as treatment. These parameters have not been evaluated in pregnant women with toxoplasmosis who used the triple regimen. A total of 53 pregnant women were recruited and divided into two groups: control (C; n = 27) and acute toxoplasmosis (AT; n = 26). Clinical data and blood samples were obtained from all patients. The clinical profile was analyzed by checking parameters such as body mass index, blood pressure, and complete blood count. Oxidative stress was evaluated by quantifying protein (P-SH) and non-protein (NP-SH) thiol groups, vitamin C, plasma iron reduction capacity (FRAP), δ-ALA-D enzyme activity, reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS), and nitric oxide (NO). Changes in hematological parameters (increased red cell distribution width and decreased hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), increased antioxidant system (P-SH, NP-SH, FRAP, δ-ALA-D enzyme activity), as well as damage markers (TBARS and NO), were significantly elevated in pregnant women with toxoplasmosis, compared to those in the control group. Pregnant women treated for this acute infection showed increased damage markers, as well as a significant increase in the antioxidant system, including the activity of the δ-ALA-D enzyme. Given this evidence, it is suggested that these changes occur as a form of compensation, with a possible contribution from drug therapy.

• Authors: Hellen Lopes de Paula, Leidiane de Lucca, Silmara Ana Vendrame, Ligia Carine Wess, Carolina Dos Santos Stein, Rafael Noal Moresco, Sandra Trevisan Beck, Thissiane de Lima Gonçalves
• Journal: Microbial pathogenesis (Microb Pathog) Vol. 164 Pg. 105455 (Mar 2022) ISSN: 1096-1208 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 35219844 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
• Porphobilinogen Synthase

Topics

• Female
• Humans
• Oxidative Stress
• Porphobilinogen Synthase (metabolism)
• Pregnancy
• Pregnant Women
• Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
• Toxoplasmosis (drug therapy)