Leptin, a tool of parasites?
Mare Lõhmus1, Sharon Moalem, Mats Björklund
1Department for Chemistry, Environment and Feed Hygiene, National Veterinary Institute, Ulls väg 2B 751 89, Uppsala, Sweden. mare.lohmus@sva.se
Biology Letters
|June 29, 2012
Summary
Parasitic infections can alter host appetite by changing levels of appetite-regulating hormones. This study found Taenia taeniaformis larvae infection lowered leptin and increased neuropeptide-Y (NPY) in mice, suggesting parasite manipulation of host feeding behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Neuroendocrinology
- Host-parasite interactions
Background:
- Disease anorexia, a common symptom in infections and cancers, is linked to altered appetite-regulating hormones like leptin.
- Internal parasites may evolve to manipulate host appetite, potentially increasing it for their own benefit, contrary to typical disease anorexia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of helminth parasite (Taenia taeniaformis) infection on appetite-regulating proteins (leptin, ghrelin, neuropeptide-Y) in wild yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis).
Main Methods:
- Measurement of plasma leptin, ghrelin, and neuropeptide-Y (NPY) levels in mice infected with Taenia taeniaformis larvae and uninfected controls.
- Statistical analysis to compare hormone levels between infected and uninfected groups.
Main Results:
- Infected mice exhibited significantly lower plasma leptin levels compared to uninfected mice.
- Infected mice showed significantly increased plasma neuropeptide-Y (NPY) levels.
- Ghrelin levels did not differ significantly between infected and uninfected mice but strongly correlated with NPY levels.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest that Taenia taeniaformis larvae may manipulate host appetite regulation.
- Lowered leptin and increased NPY in infected mice could indicate a strategy to alter host feeding behavior, potentially benefiting the parasite.
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