Mechanism of resistance of African trypanosomes to cytotoxic human HDL
Article Abstract:
The human and animal diseases attributed to subspecies of African trypanosomes are identical in terms of morphology and biochemical composition. However, Trypanosoma brucei brucei, which causes ngana in cattle, is vulnerable to the normal human serum's cytolytic activity, while Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, or the human sleeping-sickness trypanosome, is resistant to human serum lysis. A study is conducted to examine how susceptibility to human serum lysis is influenced by the variant surface glycoprotein. The findings are discussed.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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Arsenical-resistant trypanosomes lack an unusual adenosine transporter
Article Abstract:
Melarsen oxide, one of the arsenical drugs often administered to people with African sleeping sickness, can lose effectiveness due to the presence of three compounds: adenine, adenosine and dipyridamole. These compounds prevent the drug from destroying the Trypanosoma brucei protozoa that cause the disease by denying access to the protozoa's P2 adenosine transport systems. This finding explains why sleeping sickness is resistant to some drugs and may aid in developing drugs that overcome this resistance.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1993
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Caffeine alters plasma adenosine levels
Article Abstract:
Research shows that chronic caffeine consumption increases plasma adenosine concentration in the bloodstream. Experiments using rats have established that significant increases in plasma adenosine concentration occur after chronic consumption of caffeine. Humans who make sudden and dramatic changes to their caffeine consumption risk physiological side effects resulting from altered plasma adenosine concentrations.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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