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Published on: November 20, 2015
Fenbendazole treatment may influence lipopolysaccharide effects in rat brain
Randy L Hunter1, Dong-Young Choi, Jeanie F Kincer
1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA. rhunt2@uky.edu
Abstract:
In evaluating discrepant results between experiments in our laboratory, we collected data that challenge the notion that anthelminthic drugs like FBZ do not alter inflammatory responses. We found that FBZ significantly modulates inflammation in F344 rats intrastriatally injected with LPS. FBZ treatment of LPS-injected rats significantly increased weight loss, microglial activation, and dopamine loss; in addition, FBZ attenuated the LPS-induced loss of astrocytes. Therefore, FBZ treatment altered the effects of LPS injection. Caution should be used in interpreting data collected from rats treated with LPS and FBZ.
Insights
The anthelminthic drug fenbendazole (FBZ) significantly alters inflammatory responses in rats. FBZ treatment impacts weight loss, microglial activation, dopamine loss, and astrocyte survival following LPS injection.
Area of Science:
- Neuroinflammation
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Anthelminthic drugs are not typically associated with modulating inflammatory responses.
- Discrepant experimental results prompted an investigation into potential drug interactions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of fenbendazole (FBZ) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in F344 rats.
- To evaluate whether FBZ alters established inflammatory pathways.
Main Methods:
- F344 rats were intrastriatally injected with LPS.
- Subsequent treatment with FBZ was administered.
- Key indicators of neuroinflammation, neuronal loss, and glial cell changes were assessed.
Main Results:
- FBZ treatment significantly modulated LPS-induced effects.
- Increased weight loss, microglial activation, and dopamine loss were observed in FBZ-treated rats.
- FBZ attenuated the LPS-induced loss of astrocytes.
Conclusions:
- Fenbendazole (FBZ) significantly alters inflammatory responses in the context of LPS-induced neuroinflammation.
- Caution is advised when interpreting data from studies involving both LPS and FBZ in rats.
- These findings challenge the assumption that anthelminthics do not impact inflammatory processes.
