Decrease of liver glycogen content in golden hamsters infected with plerocercoids of Spirometra erinacei

Area of Science:

• Parasitology
• Biochemistry
• Physiology

Background:

• Spirometra erinacei is a parasite that can infect various hosts.
• Liver glycogen plays a crucial role in glucose homeostasis.
• Understanding host-parasite interactions is vital for disease management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of Spirometra erinacei infection on liver glycogen metabolism in golden hamsters.
• To determine the underlying mechanisms responsible for observed changes in glycogen content.
• To explore the role of insulin and glucagon in this host-parasite interaction.

Main Methods:

• Experimental infection of golden hamsters with Spirometra erinacei plerocercoids.
• Measurement of liver glycogen content.
• Assay of glycogen synthase a and glycogen phosphorylase a activity.
• Quantification of plasma immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and glucagon concentrations.

Main Results:

• Liver glycogen content was significantly decreased in infected hamsters.
• Glycogen synthase a activity was significantly reduced, while glycogen phosphorylase a activity remained unaffected.
• Plasma glucagon levels were significantly elevated in infected animals, whereas insulin levels showed no significant difference.
• Suppressed glycogenesis, not increased glycogenolysis, was identified as the cause of reduced glycogen levels.

Conclusions:

• Spirometra erinacei infection leads to suppressed liver glycogenesis in hamsters.
• Elevated glucagon levels, induced by parasite-induced hypoglycemia, are responsible for inhibiting glycogen synthase activity.
• This study elucidates a key metabolic disruption caused by Spirometra erinacei infection.