Benznidazole induces in vitro anaerobic metabolism in Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes

Objective: To determine the biochemical alterations of the energetic metabolism of Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigotes in vitro exposed to different concentrations of benzinidazole.Methods: Biochemical analyses were performed at 3, 6 (log phase), 9 and 12 (stationary phase) days of culture.Parasites were exposed to five concentrations of benzinidazole.Glycolysis, tricarboxilic acid cycle and fatty acids oxidation pathways were quantified through chromatography.Glucose, urea and creatinine were quantified through spectrophotometric analysis.Results: Anaerobic fermentation and fatty acids oxidation were increased in the stationary phase of the culture.Benzinidazole at high concentrations induced anaerobic metabolism in the log phase of the culture while the parasites exposed to the lower concentrations preferred the citric acid cycle as energy production pathway.Benzinidazole did not influence on the proteins catabolism.Conclusions: It is possible to conclude that there are metabolic differences between evolutive forms of Trypanosoma cruzi and the main drug used for its treatment induces the anaerobic metabolism in the parasite, possibly impairing the mitochondrial pathways.