Decreased Insulin Levels in Patients with Acute Chagas Disease from Brazilian Amazon treated with Benznidazole

Abstract Background In the Amazon region, there has been a significant increase in the number of acute Chagas disease (ACD) leading to electrocardiographic and echocardiographic abnormalities. The main pathophysiological mechanisms involved in Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCM) are microvascular dysfunction, Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) dysfunction, direct parasite aggression, and inflammatory activity. Chagas disease (CD) is a perfect example of inflammatory cardiomyopathy that might influence changes in metabolic parameters and ANS. Studies on the measurement of adipocytokines and insulin levels in humans with ACD are scarce. Objective To evaluate adiponectin, leptin and insulin levels before and after the treatment of ACD with benznidazole and to correlate with ANS and cardiac function. Methods Twenty-eight subjects were divided into groups: control group (CG), with 15 subjects, and ACD group, with 13 subjects. All subjects underwent a standard 12-lead ECG, comprehensive transthoracic echocardiographic, evaluation of autonomic function and serum adiponectin, insulin and leptin levels. A level of significance of 5% (p-value < 0,05) was used. Results Insulin levels were lower in the ACD group both before and after the treatment when compared to the control group and lower in the post-treatment phase when compared to the pre-treatment phase. Adipocytokine, leptin and adiponectin levels showed no differences between groups. Conclusion Insulin levels were lower in the ACD group both before and after the treatment when compared to the control group and lower in the post-treatment phase when compared to the pre-treatment phase. There was no significant correlation between adipocytokine and insulin levels with cardiac function and the ANS parameters.