Metabolomic and proteomic analysis of ghrelin administration in mice infected with Echinococcus granulosus

Cystic echinococcosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease that induces mechanical compression of liver tissue and subsequent inflammatory responses. ghrelin has protective effects on various liver diseases, including steatosis, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. However, its role and potential mechanisms in cystic echinococcosis remain unclear. This study used LC-MS-based metabolomics and proteomics to analyze the impact of ghrelin treatment on mice infected with Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato Metabolomic analysis identified 440 metabolites in the ghrelin-treated group. A total of 68 metabolites were differentially expressed, with 44 upregulated and 24 downregulated, among which L-prolinamide was increased and oxidized glutathione decreased. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that linoleic acid metabolism was a core enriched pathway. Proteomic analysis screened 335 differentially expressed proteins in the ghrelin group, including 148 upregulated and 187 downregulated proteins.Integrated KEGG analysis of metabolomic and proteomic data screened nine key proteins and six metabolites participating in the regulation of relevant pathways. Immunohistochemical staining results showed that ghrelin treatment markedly reduced the expression of Collagen III and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) relative to the model group. Taken together, these results suggest that ghrelin may modulate the progression of E. granulosus(s.l.) induced liver injury. This study offers new clues for exploring the functional mechanism of ghrelin and discovering potential therapeutic targets against cystic echinococcosis.