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He TY, Li YT, Liu ZD, Cheng H, Bao YF, Zhang JL. Lipid metabolism: the potential targets for toxoplasmosis treatment. Parasit Vectors 2024; 17:111. [PMID: 38448975 PMCID: PMC10916224 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06213-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). The current treatment for toxoplasmosis remains constrained due to the absence of pharmaceutical interventions. Thus, the pursuit of more efficient targets is of great importance. Lipid metabolism in T. gondii, including fatty acid metabolism, phospholipid metabolism, and neutral lipid metabolism, assumes a crucial function in T. gondii because those pathways are largely involved in the formation of the membranous structure and cellular processes such as division, invasion, egress, replication, and apoptosis. The inhibitors of T. gondii's lipid metabolism can directly lead to the disturbance of various lipid component levels and serious destruction of membrane structure, ultimately leading to the death of the parasites. In this review, the specific lipid metabolism pathways, correlative enzymes, and inhibitors of lipid metabolism of T. gondii are elaborated in detail to generate novel ideas for the development of anti-T. gondii drugs that target the parasites' lipid metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Yi He
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Ye-Tian Li
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Zhen-Di Liu
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Hao Cheng
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Yi-Feng Bao
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China
| | - Ji-Li Zhang
- Health Science Center, Ningbo University, Ningbo, China.
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Salem DA, Salem NA, Hendawy SR. Association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and metabolic syndrome in obese adolescents: A possible immune-metabolic link. Parasitol Int 2021; 83:102343. [PMID: 33831579 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2021.102343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Background Toxoplasmosis as a global disease is considered as a triggering factor responsible for development of several clinical diseases. However, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an understudied parasite of potential interest in obesity research. The current study aimed to explore the role of latent T. gondii infection in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in obese adolescents through studying the relationship between serum interferon-gamma [IFN-γ] and serum chemerin in context of MetS components. Methods Eighty-three obese adolescents were serologically screened for T. gondii-IgG antibodies and compared to 35 age-matched healthy T. gondii-seronegative controls. Participants were evaluated for anthropometric measurements, total-fat mass [FM], trunk-FM, serum lipid profile, IFN-γ, and chemerin levels. Homeostatic Model Assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Results The prevalence of MetS was significantly higher within obese T. gondii-seropositive group compared to obese T. gondii-seronegative group (P = 0.033). Seropositive obese MetS group displayed significantly higher trunk-FM, HOMA-IR, chemerin, and IFN-γ compared to seronegative obese MetS group. Serum chemerin and IFN-γ were strongly correlated (P < 0.001) and were positively correlated with BMI, WC, total-FM, trunk-FM, HOMA-IR, cholesterol, triglycerides and negatively correlated with HDLC. HOMA-IR was a common predictor for serum chemerin (P = 0.030) and IFN-γ (P < 0.001). Conclusions The study results suggest that T. gondii infection may exert an immune-metabolic effect that may have a potential role in the development of MetS among obese adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doaa A Salem
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt.
| | - Nanees A Salem
- Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt
| | - Shimaa R Hendawy
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Egypt
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Xu F, Ma X, Zhu Y, Sutterland A, Cheng R, Miao S, Chen J, Qiu L, Zhou Y. Effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection and schizophrenia comorbidity on serum lipid profile: A population retrospective study from Eastern China. Microb Pathog 2020; 149:104587. [PMID: 33091579 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2020.104587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), a parasitic protozoa that is associated with various psychiatric disorders. Both T. gondii infection and disturbed host's lipid profile are common in schizophrenia patients. However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain speculative. Also, the characteristics of serum lipid levels in schizophrenia patients comorbid with T. gondii infection are not clear. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the influence of chronic T. gondii infection on the characteristic physiological indexes of schizophrenia patients so as to provide some insights into finding target therapeutic drugs. METHODS In this study, the effect of chronic T. gondii infection on serum lipid profile was retrospectively analysed in 1719 schizophrenic patients and 1552 healthy subjects from Eastern China. RESULTS The overall prevalence of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against T. gondii (17.98%) in schizophrenia patients was significantly higher than healthy controls (7.35%, χ2 = 81.831, P = 0.000). Compared to T. gondii IgG-seronegative schizophrenia patients, IgG-seropositive group had higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P = 0.000) and triglycerides (TG) (P = 0.000) levels, while total cholesterol (TC) (P = 0.000) levels showed an opposite tendency in IgG-seropositive cases. We also found significant correlation between T. gondii seropositivity and increased TG (P = 0.000) and TC levels (P = 0.000) in schizophrenia patients. Binary regression analysis also showed that decreased TC level was more common among schizophrenia patients with T. gondii seropositivity compared to seronegative subjects (OR = 0.617, 95%CI = 0.509-0.749, P = 0.000). CONCLUSION Patients with chronic T. gondii infection and comorbid schizophrenia had higher HDL and TG levels, while cholesterol levels showed an opposite trend. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report focus on the host's lipid profile of chronic T. gondii infection and comorbid schizophrenia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xu
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, PR China; Key Laboratory of National Health Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases and Public Health Research Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinyu Ma
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, PR China
| | - Yuwei Zhu
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, PR China
| | - Arjen Sutterland
- Department of Psychiatry, Academic Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 5, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Ruitang Cheng
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, PR China
| | - Sunhan Miao
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, PR China
| | - Jialu Chen
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, PR China
| | - Liying Qiu
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, PR China
| | - Yonghua Zhou
- Key Laboratory of National Health Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases and Public Health Research Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, China.
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Xu F, Lu X, Cheng R, Zhu Y, Miao S, Huang Q, Xu Y, Qiu L, Zhou Y. The influence of exposure to Toxoplasma Gondii on host lipid metabolism. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:415. [PMID: 32539811 PMCID: PMC7294668 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05138-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mounting evidence suggested a complex correlation between host lipid metabolism and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection. However, the inherent association between T. gondii infection and host lipid state remains elusive either in mice or in human hosts. METHODS Through a study in a sample of 1045 healthy participants from eastern China, we determined the association of T. gondii infection and host lipid levels using serological methods. We then examined the host lipid levels in C57BL/6 J mice at both acute and chronic T. gondii infection stages (for a period up to 36 weeks post infection). RESULTS In our case-control study, T. gondii seropositive individuals had higher low-density lipoproteins (LDL) (P = 0.0043) and total cholesterol (TC) (P = 0.0134) levels compared to seronegative individuals. Furthermore, individuals with LDL (OR = 3.25; 95% CI:1.60-6.61) and TC (OR = 2.10; 95% CI:1.22-3.63) levels above the upper limit of normal range had higher odds ratio to be T. gondii IgG positive. Consistently, in vivo data revealed that a significantly increased LDL level was first observed at early acute stage but plateaued to later time (chronic infection with T. gondii). CONCLUSIONS In both healthy population and T. gondii-infected mice, seropositive individuals had higher LDL level. Individuals with positive T. gondii IgG had more odds of being with LDL and TC abnormality. Latent T. gondii infection is common worldwide, potential medical interventions to host lipid metabolism may be a breakthrough point to the prevention and control of this parasite infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Xu
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, P.R. China.,Key Laboratory of National Health Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases and Public Health Research Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiwan Lu
- Wuxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuxi Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Chinese Medicine University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214071, P.R. China
| | - Ruitang Cheng
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, P.R. China
| | - Yuwei Zhu
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, P.R. China
| | - Sunhan Miao
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, P.R. China
| | - Qinyi Huang
- Key Laboratory of National Health Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases and Public Health Research Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yongliang Xu
- Key Laboratory of National Health Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases and Public Health Research Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, China
| | - Liying Qiu
- Department of Basic Medicine, Wuxi Medical School, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, Jiangsu, 214122, P.R. China
| | - Yonghua Zhou
- Key Laboratory of National Health Commission on Parasitic Disease Control and Prevention, Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory on Parasite and Vector Control, Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases and Public Health Research Center of Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214064, Jiangsu, China.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Recent epidemiology, biological and clinical findings correlate high cigarette consumption in patients with schizophrenia, impeding both treatment strategies and the effectiveness of antipsychotics. RECENT FINDINGS New data suggests that despite world-wide efforts to curb cigarette consumption, smoking in patients with schizophrenia was still high. Recent reports could not confirm earlier findings regarding smoking's beneficial effects on cognitive dysfunction, however, the association between smoking, positive symptoms and suicidal behavior was revealed. As some patients smoked in an attempt to alleviate extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) and negative symptoms, the molecular studies shared genetic roots correlating smoking and schizophrenia, revealing that smoking may increase the risk of developing schizophrenia. Preclinical and clinical studies clarified the complex relationship between schizophrenia's pathology and nicotine's effects on the human brain. SUMMARY Cigarette smoking continues to adversely affect the health of individuals with schizophrenia. Both smoking and heavy nicotine dependence, given the complex biological findings, might influence symptom severity in patients with schizophrenia. Regardless, ceasing smoking activities is strongly advocated to replace 'self-medication by nicotine' with safer and more effective medications.
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