Statins do not reduce the parasite burden during experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection

TL;DR

This study shows that statins do not reduce parasite levels in mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi, suggesting they may not be effective as a treatment.

Contribution

The study provides experimental evidence that statins are not effective against Trypanosoma cruzi in a bioluminescent mouse model.

Findings

A 5-day statin treatment had no significant impact on parasite load in infected mice.

Systemic statin concentrations were too low to achieve trypanocidal effects.

Clinical trials on statins for this infection lack experimental support.

Abstract

Cardiomyopathy is the most common pathology associated with Trypanosoma cruzi infection. Reports that statins have both cardioprotective and trypanocidal activity have generated interest in their potential as a therapeutic treatment. Using a highly sensitive bioluminescent mouse model, we show that a 5-day treatment with statins has no significant impact on parasite load. The free systemic concentrations fail to reach the level required for potency. Hence, clinical trials to investigate the trypanocidal activity of statins lack experimental justification.

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