Abstract
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Introduction: Trypanosoma cruzi infection, which causes
Chagas’ disease, induces an immune response in the host whose efficiency
is important for the infection to persist or be eliminated. Alcohol
consumption produces a great impact on the immune system, inducing
alterations in the determination of T lymphocyte effector function,
directing the profile of these cells to tolerance or inflammation. Our
study aimed to evaluate, in C57BL/6 mice, the cytokine production in
splenic leukocytes from T. cruzi infected and treated (EtOH) for
15 days and controls. Methods: Twenty-four mice were randomized
into four groups, with 12 animals each: (1) Non-Infected Control (NI),
(2) Control Infected (CI), (3) Experimental Non-Infected (EtOH
-NI), and (4) Experimental Infected (EtOH
-I). Results: Ethanol-pre-exposed infected mice
exhibited elevated parasitemia during the patent period compared to
controls. Adaptive immunity was characterized by increased IL-4, IL-10,
and IFN-γ production by CD8+ T lymphocytes, while innate immunity showed
reduced cytokine production, particularly in NK cells and macrophages.
Ethanol amplified IL-10 and IFN-γ responses in macrophages yet
suppressed TNF-α production in dendritic cells and macrophages during
infection. Conclusion: These findings suggest ethanol modulates
the immune response by enhancing adaptive immunity while impairing
innate mechanisms, contributing to altered host-pathogen dynamics in
T. cruzi infection.