Erythrocytic, Enzymatic, and Histological Markers of Oxidative Stress in Subacute and Chronic Stage Infections in Wistar Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Infected with Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Trypanosomiasis is a complex of diseases caused by a haemoprotozoan parasite of medical and veterinary importance. One of the leading factors that cause morbidity and death in trypanosomiasis is oxidative stress. The oxidative stress biomarkers in trypanosomiasis at the subacute and chronic stages of infection were investigated in this study. A total of twenty-four Wistar rats were used; the animals were placed in two groups: group A (subacute and chronic) and group B (control). The weight and body temperature of the experimental animals were determined using a digital weighing balance and thermometer. A hematology analyzer was used to determine the erythrocyte indices. Spectrophotometry was used to estimate enzyme (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione) activities in the serum, kidney, and liver of experimental animals. Liver, kidney, and spleen were harvested and analyzed for histological changes. The mean body weight of the infected decreased compared to the control (P < 0.05). The mean body temperature of infected individuals increased (35–37°C) compared to the control (P < 0.05). The erythrocyte indices of the infected and control groups indicate a significant decrease (P < 0.05). In erythrocyte indices, only MCHC indicated a nonsignificant decrease (P > 0.05). The SOD of serum shows a significant increase (P < 0.05), and no significant increase SOD (P > 0.05) in kidney and the liver SOD indicates a significant decrease (P < 0.05). The serum, kidney, and liver show a significant increase (P < 0.05) in CAT. The serum GSH from the findings indicates a nonsignificant increase (P > 0.05), and the kidney and liver GSH shows a significant increase (P < 0.05). The correlation analysis for SOD shows nonsignificant negative correlation for serum/kidney, and the serum/liver and kidney/liver show significant positive correlation. The result of CAT shows significant correlations for serum and kidney, serum and liver, and kidney/liver with a positive correlation. The GSH result shows no significant negative correlation for serum/kidney and no significant positive correlation for serum/liver and kidney/liver. The histological damage in the kidney, liver, and spleen was much higher in the chronic stage than in the subacute stage and no tissue damage in the control group. In conclusion, subacute and chronic stage trypanosome infection is associated with changes in hematological indices, antioxidants of the liver, spleen and kidney, and histological architecture.