Participation of purines in the modulation of inflammatory response in rats experimentally infected by Cryptococcus neoformans

• Cryptococcus neoformans, is an opportunistic pathogen.
• Purinergic system participates on the modulation of immune and inflammatory responses.
• Alterations purines levels in serum and brain of rats experimentally infected by Cryptococcus neoformans.
• Alterations purines levels in serum and brain of mice experimentally infected by Cryptococcus neoformans.
• Purinergic signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of cryptococcosis.

The present study was carried out to assess the participation of purines in the activation and modulation of inflammatory response of rats experimentally infected by Cryptococcus neoformans. Twenty four Wistar rats were divided into two groups of 12 animals each: Group A - uninfected control group and Group B - infected by C. neoformans. Blood was collected 20 and 50 days post-infection (PI) from six animals of each group in order to verify purine levels (adenosine triphosphate (ATP), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), adenosine monophosphate (AMP), adenosine (ADO), inosine (INO), hypoxanthine (HYPO), xanthine (XAN) and uric acid (URIC)). ATP levels were significantly increased (P < 0.05) in serum from infected animals on days 20 and 50 PI, as well as adenosine levels after 20 days PI on rats. On day 50 PI, levels of adenosine and uric acid were also reduced, but the levels of inosine and xanthine increased in animals infected by the fungus (P < 0.05). Therefore, it was possible to conclude that the purine levels in serum were altered and that these changes may be able to influence the pathogenesis of the disease caused by C. neoformans due the participation of purines (ATP and adenosine main) in the activation and modulation of inflammatory response.