In our studies we found that stabilized expression of HIF-1α in heart led to better recovery of function and less tissue death after 30 minutes of global ischemia, via mechanisms that preserve the mitochondrial polarization. Our group previously showed that HIF-1α conferred ischemic tolerance by allowing cardiomyocytes to use fumarate as an alternative terminal electron acceptor to sustain anaerobic mitochondrial polarization. The source of fumarate was identified as the purine nucleotide cycle (PNC). Here we discovered that HIF-1α upregulates AMP deaminase 2 (AMPD2), the entry point to the PNC. The combination of glycolysis and the PNC may protect the heart's nucleotide resources. We subsequently examined the effects that HIF-1α exerts on nucleotide metabolism in the ischemic heart. We found that HIF-1α expression reduces adenosine accumulation in the ischemic heart. As ATP is depleted during ischemia, AMP accumulates. Our results suggest that AMP metabolism is shunted towards AMPD2 rather than the adenosine producing 5'-nucleotidase pathway. Subsequently, we treated hearts with the PNC inhibitor hadacidin followed by 30 minutes of global ischemia. Inclusion of hadacidin reduced ATP and adenylate energy charge in the hearts. These findings allow us to propose that activity of the PNC prevents the F0F1 ATP synthase from consuming glycolytic ATP in order to maintain mitochondrial polarization during ischemia. Thus, the PNC provides ATP sparing effects and preserves the energy charge in the ischemic heart. The fact that ATP and adenylate energy charge is better preserved during the initial 20 minutes of ischemia in HIF-1α expressing hearts is supportive of our observation that HIF-1α upregulates the PNC. HIF-1α also upregulates adenosine deaminase, which degrades adenosine. The limitation of adenosine accumulation may help HIF-1α expressing hearts avoid toxicity due to chronic adenosine exposure. Finally, we found that HIF-1α induces the expression of the nucleotide salvage enzyme hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase (HPRT). Upon reperfusion HPRT serves to reincorporate the nucleotide degradation product, hypoxanthine, into the adenylate pool and may prevent the production of reactive oxygen species. Collectively, HIF-1α robustly protects the heart from ischemic stress and it upregulates several pathways whose cardioprotective role may extend beyond the remodeling of nucleotide metabolism.

Ischaemic heart disease is a major contributor to premature death and heart failure in the Westernised world. Ischaemic injury within the heart may be beneficially modulated by the nucleoside adenosine. Derived from catabolism of ATP, adenosine was initially known as a potent bradycardic and hypotensive agent. However, more recently the protective function of adenosine has been investigated. The protective effects of adenosine are mediated via activation of adenosine receptors: A1, A2A, A2B, and A3 receptors. Activation of these potentially protective (or retaliatory) adenosine receptors hinges upon accumulation of adenosine during ischaemia-reperfusion. This Thesis examines the role and mechanisms of adenosine mediated cardioprotection in young and aged hearts, exploring endogenous and exogenous adenosine receptor activation, genetic manipulation of A1 receptors and adenosine deaminase and pharmacological manipulation of adenosine metabolism. The effects of age on ischaemic responses and adenosine handling and protection are also assessed. The core approach to assess each of the above issues involved the Langendorff isolated mouse heart preparation. Experiments within Chapter 3 focuses on the contractile effects of adenosine receptors in normoxic hearts. This study indicates A2A receptors have no direct effect on contractility, while adenosine exerts positive inotropy independently of coronary flow and perfusion pressure (i.e. Independent of the Gregg phenomenon). In addition, investigations in genetically modified hearts hint at positive inotropy in response to A1 receptors. Since the latter is only evidenced in modified lines, it is possible A1-mediated inotropy may be abnormal or supraphysiological. In Chapter 4 the impact of genetic 'deletion' of A1ARs and/or adenosine deaminase (ADA) on intrinsic tolerance to ischaemia were studied. Data demonstrate that genetic deletion of A1 receptors significantly limits the ability of the mouse myocardium to withstand injury during ischaemic insult. Thus, providing strong support for a role of A1ARs in determining intrinsic tolerance to ischaemia-reperfusion. ADA KO mice confirm protection afforded by endogenous adenosine and the notion of adenosine metabolism modification as a protective strategy. Interestingly, effects of A1AR KO differ from A1AR overexpression or A1AR agonism in that the latter decrease contractile diastolic dysfunction while A1AR KO selectively increase systolic dysfunction and increase oncosis without altering diastolic injury. This challenges current dogma regarding the action of A1 adenosine receptors on ischaemic injury. In Chapter 5 the effects of adenosine metabolism inhibition (via adenosine deaminase (ADA) and adenosine kinase (AK) inhibitors) were studied. Inhibition of adenosine deaminase with the drug EHNA, and adenosine phosphorylation with iodotubercidin significantly protected mouse hearts from ischaemia-reperfusion, reducing contractile dysfunction and cardiac enzyme efflux. However, inhibitors failed to improve the outcome of the aged myocardium. 8-SPT and 5-HD reduced the protective effects of EHNA and iodotubercidin demonstrating thus; cardioprotection via ADA and AK appears to rely on adenosine receptor activation and involves a mitoK ATP dependent mechanism. Since aging is of considerable importance with regard to outcomes of ischaemic heart disease, experiments in Chapter 6 focused on effects of aging (and gender) on cardiovascular function and injury during ischaemia-reperfusion. In assessing post ischaemic outcomes in hearts from young adult (2-4 months), mature adult (8 months), middle aged (12 months), aged (18 months) and senescent (24-28 months) C57/BL/6J mice, data reveal a substantial age-related decline in ischaemic tolerance (which appears selective for myocardial vs. vascular injury). The decline in ischaemic tolerance is expressed primarily within the initial 12 months in both males and females with relatively little further decline with continued aging. There is evidence of a modest improvement in tolerance in senescence vs. aged hearts possibly reflecting selection of a protected phenotype in senescent populations. In addition, mature and middle-aged female hearts showed improved tolerance to ischaemia-reperfusion compared to males, supporting a role for hormonal changes. Effects of aging and purine metabolism were studied in Chapter 7. Data suggest impaired tolerance to ischaemia-reperfusion in older hearts may stem in part from shifts in myocardial purine catabolism. Data reveal reduced accumulation of salvageable and cardioprotective adenosine and enhanced accumulation of poorly salvaged (and potentially injurious) hypoxanthine and xanthine. These changes may potentially predispose the aged myocardium to ischaemic injury and radical generation via the xanthine oxidase reaction. The final data Chapter of this Thesis describes preliminary data regarding aging, signalling and adenosine mediated protection. It was found that protein kinase C (PKC) and A1 receptors mediate protection in young hearts and also that A1 receptors appear to mediate protection via a PKC LindependentLi signalling cascade. In addition, experiments in aged hearts (attempting to elucidate mechanisms behind impaired adenosinergic protection with age) suggest a PKC-independent A1-mediated protection path may be preserved with aging, since A1 receptors continue to offer some protection while PKC activation does not. It is possible the failure of exogenous adenosine to offer protection in aged hearts may result from a lesion at or downstream of PKC.

The present work has endeavored to survey the occurence of adenosine deaminase as well as its multiple forms in normal and some cancerous human tissues. A recent report by Akedo, Nishihara, Shinkai and Komatsu concerning the appearance of the C form adenosine deaminase in cancerous tissues is investigated. The thesis reports, however, the occurence of both A and C forms of adenosine deaminase in almost all normal and cancerous tissues investigated. An increase in C form adenosine deaminase does seem to occur in cancerous tissues, and a ratio method is developed to monitor such an increase in the C form enzyme.Fundamental catalytic and physical parameters are used to characterize the A and C forms of adenosine deaminase in several normal human tissues. Little difference is noted between the two forms of the enzyme. Only substrate specificity for cordycepin is of significant value in differentiating between the A and C forms of the enzyme.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

The molecular form distribution of adenosine deaminase has been characterized in nine rat tissues. This study has also investigated the effects of 70% partial hepatectomy in liver, spleen, and intestinal tissues. In all tissues studied, the molecular weight of the enzyme was found to be 35,000 daltons, as determined by gel filtration chromatography. Two prominent isozymes of this molecular weight were identified by means of thin-layer isoelectric focusing. Isozymes with pI's of 4.95 and 4.80 were present in tissues of liver, spleen, and intestine of normal and hepatectomised rats. Throughout the liver regeneration period, activity levels of adenosine deaminase were elevated in all tissues examined.Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN 47306

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Stockholms universitet, 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Trichomonas vaginalis é o protozoário flagelado que parasita o trato urogenital humano causando a tricomonose, doença sexualmente transmissível (DST) de origem não viral mais comum no mundo. Durante a infecção a aquisição de nutrientes, como nucleotídeos púricos, pirimidínicos e ferro é essencial à sobrevivência do parasito. T. vaginalis não sintetiza de novo purinas e pirimidinas, dependendo de vias de salvação para aquisição destas moléculas. O ferro desempenha um papel crucial na patogenicidade da tricomonose, influenciando a expressão de múltiplos genes envolvidos na virulência. Nucleotídeos extracelulares, especialmente o ATP, são liberados em situações de estresse, anoxia ou injúria, atuando como sinalizadores pró-inflamatórios ao sistema imune. As enzimas NTPDase e ecto-5'-nucleotidase degradam ATP à adenosina, esta com ação anti-inflamatória. A enzima adenosina deaminase (ADA) degrada adenosina à inosina. A presença desta cadeia enzimática em T. vaginalis sugere a modulação das concentrações nucleotídeos/nucleosídeos durante a inflamação. A atividade da ADA foi caracterizada em T. vaginalis, porém há poucos relatos sobre a participação desta enzima na sobrevivência do parasito, bem como, a localização celular e o efeito de nutrientes essenciais na atividade enzimática e na expressão gênica. O estudo da localização da ADA em T. vaginalis foi realizado, indicando a presença da enzima na membrana celular e no citoplasma do trofozoíto. Avaliando-se o perfil da ADA de diferentes isolados de T. vaginalis em uma condição de limitação de soro bovino, o qual representa a fonte de adenosina aos trofozoítos, não se observou diferenças significativas na deaminação da adenosina à inosina. Na avaliação do efeito de diferentes fontes de ferro ou a privação deste cátion na atividade e na expressão gênica da ADA foi possível verificar uma diminuição da atividade e um aumento na expressão gênica após a privação do ferro, reforçando a hipótese que este elemento pode modular a atividade das enzimas envolvidas na sinalização purinérgica. Os resultados obtidos nesta dissertação permitem a avaliação de importantes aspectos da ADA, contribuindo para o melhor entendimento do sistema purinérgico em T. vaginalis e seu papel no estabelecimento e manutenção da infecção e consequente sobrevivência do parasito. / Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellate protozoan that parasitizes the urogenital human tract causing trichomonosis, the non-viral sexually transmitted disease (STD) most common in the world. During infection the acquisition of nutrients such as purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, and iron is essential to the parasite survival. T. vaginalis lacks de novo purines and pyrimidines synthesis depending on the salvation pathway for the acquisition of these molecules. Iron plays a crucial role in trichomonosis pathogenesis, influencing the expression of multiple genes involved in virulence. Extracellular nucleotides, especially ATP, are released during stress, injury or anoxia, acting as a pro-inflammatory signaling to the immune system. The enzymes NTPDase and ecto-5'-nucleotidase degrade ATP to adenosine with anti-inflammatory action. The adenosine deaminase (ADA) enzyme degrades adenosine to inosine. The presence of this enzymatic chain in T. vaginalis suggests the modulation of nucleotides/nucleosides concentrations during inflammation. The ADA activity was characterized in T. vaginalis, but there are few reports on the participation of this enzyme in the parasite survival, as well as the cellular localization and the effect of essential nutrients on enzyme activity and gene expression. The study of ADA localization in T. vaginalis was performed, indicating the presence of the enzyme on trophozoite cell membrane and cytoplasm. Evaluating the ADA profile in different T. vaginalis isolates in bovine serum limitation condition, which is the source of adenosine for the trophozoites, no significant differences were observed in the deamination of adenosine to inosine. Regarding the effect of different iron sources or iron deprivation in activity and gene expression of ADA, it was observed a decrease in activity and an increase in gene expression after iron deprivation, reinforcing the hypothesis that this element can modulate the activity of enzymes involved in the purinergic signaling. The results obtained in this study allow the assessment of important aspects of ADA, contributing to a better understanding of the purinergic system in T. vaginalis and its role in the establishment and maintenance of infection and consequent survival of the parasite.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Nucleotide- and nucleoside-degrading enzymes are present in the surface of platelets, blood cells involved in clotting disturbances of Trypanosoma evansi-infected animals. Thus, this study was aimed at evaluating the activity of the enzymes NTPDase, 5 - nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase in platelets of rats experimentally infected by T. evansi. Animals were divided into four groups, according to the degree of parasitemia. Samples were collected at days 3 (group A: at the beginning of parasitemia), 5 (group B: high parasitemia) and 15 (group C: chronic infection). Group D (control group) was composed of non-infected animals. Blood samples with citrate as the anticoagulant were collected and used for platelet separation and enzymatic assays. NTPDase, 5 - nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities were decreased (p<0.05) in platelets from rats of groups A and B, when compared to the control group. In group C, only NTPDase and 5 -nucleoside activities were decreased (p<0.001), observed by ADP and AMP hydrolysis. The correlation between platelet count and nucleotide and nucleoside hydrolysis was positive and statistically significant (p<0.05) in groups A and B. Platelet aggregation of all infected groups was decreased in comparison to the control group (p<0.05). Based upon the results, it is concluded that the alterations observed in the activity of the enzymes NTPDase, 5 -nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase in platelets of T. evansi-infected animals might be related to thrombocytopenia. / Nucleotide- and nucleoside-degrading enzymes are present in the surface of platelets, blood cells involved in clotting disturbances of Trypanosoma evansi-infected animals. Thus, this study was aimed at evaluating the activity of the enzymes NTPDase, 5 - nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase in platelets of rats experimentally infected by T. evansi. Animals were divided into four groups, according to the degree of parasitemia. Samples were collected at days 3 (group A: at the beginning of parasitemia), 5 (group B: high parasitemia) and 15 (group C: chronic infection). Group D (control group) was composed of non-infected animals. Blood samples with citrate as the anticoagulant were collected and used for platelet separation and enzymatic assays. NTPDase, 5 - nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities were decreased (p<0.05) in platelets from rats of groups A and B, when compared to the control group. In group C, only NTPDase and 5 -nucleoside activities were decreased (p<0.001), observed by ADP and AMP hydrolysis. The correlation between platelet count and nucleotide and nucleoside hydrolysis was positive and statistically significant (p<0.05) in groups A and B. Platelet aggregation of all infected groups was decreased in comparison to the control group (p<0.05). Based upon the results, it is concluded that the alterations observed in the activity of the enzymes NTPDase, 5 -nucleotidase and adenosine deaminase in platelets of T. evansi-infected animals might be related to thrombocytopenia.

Trichomonas vaginalis é o protozoário flagelado que parasita o trato urogenital humano causando a tricomonose, doença sexualmente transmissível (DST) de origem não viral mais comum no mundo. Durante a infecção a aquisição de nutrientes, como nucleotídeos púricos, pirimidínicos e ferro é essencial à sobrevivência do parasito. T. vaginalis não sintetiza de novo purinas e pirimidinas, dependendo de vias de salvação para aquisição destas moléculas. O ferro desempenha um papel crucial na patogenicidade da tricomonose, influenciando a expressão de múltiplos genes envolvidos na virulência. Nucleotídeos extracelulares, especialmente o ATP, são liberados em situações de estresse, anoxia ou injúria, atuando como sinalizadores pró-inflamatórios ao sistema imune. As enzimas NTPDase e ecto-5'-nucleotidase degradam ATP à adenosina, esta com ação anti-inflamatória. A enzima adenosina deaminase (ADA) degrada adenosina à inosina. A presença desta cadeia enzimática em T. vaginalis sugere a modulação das concentrações nucleotídeos/nucleosídeos durante a inflamação. A atividade da ADA foi caracterizada em T. vaginalis, porém há poucos relatos sobre a participação desta enzima na sobrevivência do parasito, bem como, a localização celular e o efeito de nutrientes essenciais na atividade enzimática e na expressão gênica. O estudo da localização da ADA em T. vaginalis foi realizado, indicando a presença da enzima na membrana celular e no citoplasma do trofozoíto. Avaliando-se o perfil da ADA de diferentes isolados de T. vaginalis em uma condição de limitação de soro bovino, o qual representa a fonte de adenosina aos trofozoítos, não se observou diferenças significativas na deaminação da adenosina à inosina. Na avaliação do efeito de diferentes fontes de ferro ou a privação deste cátion na atividade e na expressão gênica da ADA foi possível verificar uma diminuição da atividade e um aumento na expressão gênica após a privação do ferro, reforçando a hipótese que este elemento pode modular a atividade das enzimas envolvidas na sinalização purinérgica. Os resultados obtidos nesta dissertação permitem a avaliação de importantes aspectos da ADA, contribuindo para o melhor entendimento do sistema purinérgico em T. vaginalis e seu papel no estabelecimento e manutenção da infecção e consequente sobrevivência do parasito. / Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellate protozoan that parasitizes the urogenital human tract causing trichomonosis, the non-viral sexually transmitted disease (STD) most common in the world. During infection the acquisition of nutrients such as purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, and iron is essential to the parasite survival. T. vaginalis lacks de novo purines and pyrimidines synthesis depending on the salvation pathway for the acquisition of these molecules. Iron plays a crucial role in trichomonosis pathogenesis, influencing the expression of multiple genes involved in virulence. Extracellular nucleotides, especially ATP, are released during stress, injury or anoxia, acting as a pro-inflammatory signaling to the immune system. The enzymes NTPDase and ecto-5'-nucleotidase degrade ATP to adenosine with anti-inflammatory action. The adenosine deaminase (ADA) enzyme degrades adenosine to inosine. The presence of this enzymatic chain in T. vaginalis suggests the modulation of nucleotides/nucleosides concentrations during inflammation. The ADA activity was characterized in T. vaginalis, but there are few reports on the participation of this enzyme in the parasite survival, as well as the cellular localization and the effect of essential nutrients on enzyme activity and gene expression. The study of ADA localization in T. vaginalis was performed, indicating the presence of the enzyme on trophozoite cell membrane and cytoplasm. Evaluating the ADA profile in different T. vaginalis isolates in bovine serum limitation condition, which is the source of adenosine for the trophozoites, no significant differences were observed in the deamination of adenosine to inosine. Regarding the effect of different iron sources or iron deprivation in activity and gene expression of ADA, it was observed a decrease in activity and an increase in gene expression after iron deprivation, reinforcing the hypothesis that this element can modulate the activity of enzymes involved in the purinergic signaling. The results obtained in this study allow the assessment of important aspects of ADA, contributing to a better understanding of the purinergic system in T. vaginalis and its role in the establishment and maintenance of infection and consequent survival of the parasite.

Trichomonas vaginalis é o protozoário flagelado que parasita o trato urogenital humano causando a tricomonose, doença sexualmente transmissível (DST) de origem não viral mais comum no mundo. Durante a infecção a aquisição de nutrientes, como nucleotídeos púricos, pirimidínicos e ferro é essencial à sobrevivência do parasito. T. vaginalis não sintetiza de novo purinas e pirimidinas, dependendo de vias de salvação para aquisição destas moléculas. O ferro desempenha um papel crucial na patogenicidade da tricomonose, influenciando a expressão de múltiplos genes envolvidos na virulência. Nucleotídeos extracelulares, especialmente o ATP, são liberados em situações de estresse, anoxia ou injúria, atuando como sinalizadores pró-inflamatórios ao sistema imune. As enzimas NTPDase e ecto-5'-nucleotidase degradam ATP à adenosina, esta com ação anti-inflamatória. A enzima adenosina deaminase (ADA) degrada adenosina à inosina. A presença desta cadeia enzimática em T. vaginalis sugere a modulação das concentrações nucleotídeos/nucleosídeos durante a inflamação. A atividade da ADA foi caracterizada em T. vaginalis, porém há poucos relatos sobre a participação desta enzima na sobrevivência do parasito, bem como, a localização celular e o efeito de nutrientes essenciais na atividade enzimática e na expressão gênica. O estudo da localização da ADA em T. vaginalis foi realizado, indicando a presença da enzima na membrana celular e no citoplasma do trofozoíto. Avaliando-se o perfil da ADA de diferentes isolados de T. vaginalis em uma condição de limitação de soro bovino, o qual representa a fonte de adenosina aos trofozoítos, não se observou diferenças significativas na deaminação da adenosina à inosina. Na avaliação do efeito de diferentes fontes de ferro ou a privação deste cátion na atividade e na expressão gênica da ADA foi possível verificar uma diminuição da atividade e um aumento na expressão gênica após a privação do ferro, reforçando a hipótese que este elemento pode modular a atividade das enzimas envolvidas na sinalização purinérgica. Os resultados obtidos nesta dissertação permitem a avaliação de importantes aspectos da ADA, contribuindo para o melhor entendimento do sistema purinérgico em T. vaginalis e seu papel no estabelecimento e manutenção da infecção e consequente sobrevivência do parasito. / Trichomonas vaginalis is a flagellate protozoan that parasitizes the urogenital human tract causing trichomonosis, the non-viral sexually transmitted disease (STD) most common in the world. During infection the acquisition of nutrients such as purine and pyrimidine nucleotides, and iron is essential to the parasite survival. T. vaginalis lacks de novo purines and pyrimidines synthesis depending on the salvation pathway for the acquisition of these molecules. Iron plays a crucial role in trichomonosis pathogenesis, influencing the expression of multiple genes involved in virulence. Extracellular nucleotides, especially ATP, are released during stress, injury or anoxia, acting as a pro-inflammatory signaling to the immune system. The enzymes NTPDase and ecto-5'-nucleotidase degrade ATP to adenosine with anti-inflammatory action. The adenosine deaminase (ADA) enzyme degrades adenosine to inosine. The presence of this enzymatic chain in T. vaginalis suggests the modulation of nucleotides/nucleosides concentrations during inflammation. The ADA activity was characterized in T. vaginalis, but there are few reports on the participation of this enzyme in the parasite survival, as well as the cellular localization and the effect of essential nutrients on enzyme activity and gene expression. The study of ADA localization in T. vaginalis was performed, indicating the presence of the enzyme on trophozoite cell membrane and cytoplasm. Evaluating the ADA profile in different T. vaginalis isolates in bovine serum limitation condition, which is the source of adenosine for the trophozoites, no significant differences were observed in the deamination of adenosine to inosine. Regarding the effect of different iron sources or iron deprivation in activity and gene expression of ADA, it was observed a decrease in activity and an increase in gene expression after iron deprivation, reinforcing the hypothesis that this element can modulate the activity of enzymes involved in the purinergic signaling. The results obtained in this study allow the assessment of important aspects of ADA, contributing to a better understanding of the purinergic system in T. vaginalis and its role in the establishment and maintenance of infection and consequent survival of the parasite.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous fungal infection of evolution subacute or chronic, inflammatory lesions characterized by pyogranulomatous aspect, caused by the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix schenckii. Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is a key enzyme in the purine metabolism, promoting the deamination of adenosine, an important anti-inflammatory molecule. The increase in ADA activity has been demonstrated in several inflammatory conditions, however, no data in the literature associated with this fungal infection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the activity of serum ADA (S-ADA) and lymphocytes (L-ADA) of rats infected with S. schenckii. We used seventy-eight rats divided into two groups. In the first experiment, rats were infected subcutaneously and in the second experiment, infected intraperitoneally. Blood samples for hematologic evaluation and activities of S-ADA and ADA-L were performed on days 15, 30 and 40 post-infection (PI) to assess disease progression. In experiment II, was observed in an acute decrease in activity of S-ADA and L-ADA (p <0.05), suggesting a compensatory mechanism in the body's attempt to protect the host from excessive tissue damage. Chronicity of the disease the rats in the experiment I and II at 30 days PI, showed an increased activity of L-ADA (p <0.05), promoting an inflammatory response in an attempt to combat the spread of the agent. Thus, it is suggested that infection with S. schenckii alters the activities of S-ADA experimentally infected rats, demonstrating the involvement of this enzyme in the pathogenesis of sporotrichosis. / A esporotricose é uma infecção micótica subcutânea de evolução subaguda ou crônica, caracterizada por lesões inflamatórias de aspecto piogranulomatoso, causada pelo fungo dimórfico Sporothrix schenckii. A adenosina desaminase (ADA) é uma enzima chave no metabolismo das purinas, promovendo a desaminação da adenosina uma importante molécula anti-inflamatória. O aumento na atividade da ADA tem sido demonstrado em várias condições inflamatórias, porém, não existem dados na literatura associados com esta infecção micótica. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a atividade da ADA no soro (S-ADA) e nos linfócitos (L-ADA) de ratos infectados por S. schenckii. Foram utilizados setenta e oito ratos distribuídos em dois grupos. No experimento I, os ratos foram infectados por via subcutânea e no experimento II, infectados por via intraperitoneal. A coleta de sangue para a avaliação hematológica e atividades da S-ADA e L-ADA foram realizadas nos dias 15, 30 e 40 pós-infecção (PI), para avaliar a evolução da doença. No experimento II, foi observada na fase aguda uma diminuição na atividade da S-ADA e L-ADA (p<0.05), sugerindo um mecanismo compensatório do organismo na tentativa de proteger o hospedeiro da lesão tecidual excessiva. Com a cronicidade da enfermidade os ratos do experimento I e II aos 30 dias PI, apresentaram um aumento na atividade da L-ADA (p<0.05), promovendo uma resposta inflamatória na tentativa de combater a proliferação do agente. Assim, sugere-se que a infecção pelo S. schenckii altera as atividades da S-ADA e L-ADA de ratos infectados experimentalmente, demonstrando o envolvimento desta enzima na patogênese da esporotricose.