The weight gain phenomenon associated with sparganosis has been well documented and was first recognized in the 1960s. Many studies have been conducted regarding the plerocercoid growth factor in the larva of Spirometra mansoni. In the present study, we hypothesized that the weight gain may be affected by the adipocyte secreted hormones, i.e., adiponectin, which is secreted from the adipose tissues in case of tissue migrating parasitic infections. Specifically, we attempted to ascertain whether the serum levels of adiponectin change in murine sparganosis. However, serum adiponectin levels assayed by ELISA evidenced no significant changes after an experimental infection (P > 0.05). Finally, the weight gain phenomenon in mouse sparganosis is not associated with changes in adiponectin levels, and further investigations involving parasitic infection-induced weight gain remain necessary.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
A Protein Microarray for the Rapid Screening of Patients Suspected of Infection with Various Food-Borne Helminthiases Jia-Xu Chen, Mu-Xin Chen, Lin Ai, Jun-Hu Chen, Shao-Hong Chen, Yong-Nian Zhang, Yu-Chun Cai, Xing-Quan Zhu, Xiao-Nong Zhou, Patrick J. Lammie PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases.2012; 6(11): e1899. CrossRef