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Updated: Jul 25, 2026
Determining Immune System Suppression versus CNS Protection for Pharmacological Interventions in Autoimmune Demyelination
Published on: September 12, 2016
Suppression of multiple sclerosis in the rat during infection with Trichinella pseudospiralis
L H Boles1, J M Montgomery, J Morris
1Center for Parasitology, The University of Texas at Arlington, 76019, USA.
Abstract:
Injection of the rat with guinea pig myelin basic protein (MBP) induces an inflammatory demyelination that leads to development of a condition mimicking human multiple sclerosis (MS), including severe depressions in mobility, coordination, and strength in the affected animal. This model was used to observe and compare the antiinflammatory effects of the intestinal and late migratory phases of infection with Trichinella pseudospiralis on development of MBP-induced, MS-like debilitation in rats. Animal performance was measured in an activity monitor and in a series of physical tests designed to assess animal coordination and strength. Uninfected animals injected with MBP showed declines in mobility, coordination, and strength typical for this model. These changes were similar in rats infected so that the intestinal phase of infection coincided with the peak of MBP-induced debilitation. Rats infected so that the late migratory phase of infection occurred during the period of peak MBP-induced debilitation showed significantly higher performance scores in mobility, coordination and strength compared to the latter 2 groups. These finding demonstrate the potency of the anti-inflammatory effects of elevations in host corticosteroids seen during the migratory phase of infection with T. pseudospiralis.
Insights
Infection with Trichinella pseudospiralis during its migratory phase offers anti-inflammatory benefits, improving mobility and strength in a multiple sclerosis model. This contrasts with the intestinal phase, which showed no protective effects.
Area of Science:
- Neuroimmunology
- Parasitology
- Inflammatory Diseases
Background:
- Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rats, induced by myelin basic protein (MBP), serves as a model for human multiple sclerosis (MS).
- EAE is characterized by inflammation, demyelination, and significant deficits in motor function, coordination, and strength.
- Trichinella pseudospiralis infection is known to modulate host immune responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the anti-inflammatory effects of the intestinal and late migratory phases of Trichinella pseudospiralis infection on MBP-induced EAE in rats.
- To evaluate the impact of T. pseudospiralis infection timing on neurological and physical debilitation in the MS model.
Main Methods:
- Rats were injected with guinea pig MBP to induce EAE.
- Experimental groups were infected with T. pseudospiralis during either the intestinal phase or the late migratory phase, timed with the peak of MBP-induced symptoms.
- Animal performance was assessed using activity monitors and physical tests measuring mobility, coordination, and strength.
Main Results:
- Rats injected with MBP without infection exhibited typical EAE-related declines in mobility, coordination, and strength.
- Infection during the intestinal phase of T. pseudospiralis did not alter the course of MBP-induced debilitation.
- Infection during the late migratory phase of T. pseudospiralis significantly improved performance in mobility, coordination, and strength tests compared to uninfected and intestinal-phase infected groups.
Conclusions:
- The late migratory phase of Trichinella pseudospiralis infection exhibits potent anti-inflammatory effects in the MBP-induced rat model of multiple sclerosis.
- These findings highlight the potential of T. pseudospiralis migratory phase-induced corticosteroid elevation in mitigating inflammatory demyelination.
- The timing of parasitic infection is critical for its immunomodulatory impact on autoimmune neurological disease.
