Metformin promotes susceptibility to experimental Leishmania braziliensis infection

Lima, Filipe Rocha; Ferreira, Lais de Melo; Malta, Tainá Alves; Bonyek-Silva, Icaro; Santos, Reinan Lima; Tavares, Natália Machado; Filho, Edgar Marcelino de Carvalho; Arruda, Sérgio

doi:10.1590/0074-02760200272

Cited by 8 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 29 publications

(35 reference statements)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…and Leishmania sp. (Vera et al, 2019;Lima et al, 2020) as well as against helminths, because these parasites are highly dependent on glucose metabolism for energy production (McManus and Smyth, 1982;Spiliotis and Brehm, 2009;Loos and Cumino, 2015;Othman et al, 2016;Loos et al, 2017Loos et al, , 2020Martínez-Flórez et al, 2020). Based on preclinical studies, a substantial anti-parasitic effect of Met on E. granulosus and the improvement of the therapy in mice with fully-developed cysts when the drug is used in combination with the lowest recommended dose of ABZ were demonstrated (Loos et al, 2017).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metformin improves the therapeutic efficacy of low-dose albendazole against experimental alveolar echinococcosis

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a severe disease caused by Echinococcus multilocularis. Its chemotherapeutic treatment is based on benzimidazoles, which are rarely curative and cause several adverse effects. Therefore, it is necessary to develop alternative and safer chemotherapeutic strategies against AE. It has previously been shown that metformin (Met) exhibits considerable in vivo activity on an early-infection model of AE when administered at 50 mg kg−1 day−1 for 8 weeks. Here, the challenge is heightened by a 2-fold increase in parasite inoculum or by starting the treatment 6 weeks post-infection. In both cases, only the combination of Met (100 mg kg−1 day−1) together with a sub-optimal dose of albendazole (ABZ) (5 mg kg−1 day−1) led to a significant reduction in parasite weight compared to the untreated group. Coincidentally, drug combination showed the highest level of damage in E. multilocularis metacestodes. Likewise, Met alone or combined with ABZ led to a decrease in parasite glucose availability, which was evidenced as a lower intracystic glucose concentration. Therefore, the results demonstrate that combination therapy with Met and ABZ offers an alternative to improve the efficacy and reduce the toxicity of the high-dose ABZ monotherapy currently employed.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metformin improves the therapeutic efficacy of low-dose albendazole against experimental alveolar echinococcosis

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Metformin Inhibits Zika Virus Infection in Trophoblast Cell Line

Velazquez-Cervantes,

López-Ortega,

Cruz-Holguín

et al. 2024

Curr Microbiol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Zika virus (ZIKV) infections have been associated with severe clinical outcomes, including neurological manifestations, especially in newborns with intrauterine infection. However, no licensed vaccines or speci c antiviral agents are available yet. Therefore, safe and low-cost therapy is required, especially for pregnant women. In this sense, metformin, an FDA-approved drug used to treat gestational diabetes, has previously exhibited an effect anti-ZIKA in vitro in HUVEC cells by activating AMPK. In this study, we evaluated metformin treatment during in vitro ZIKV infection in a permissive trophoblast cell line JEG3. Our results demonstrate that metformin impacts viral replication and protein synthesis and reverts the cytoskeletal changes promoted by ZIKV infection. Beyond this, lipid droplet formation is reduced, which is associated with the lipogenic activation of infection. Taken together, our ndings indicate that metformin has potential as an antiviral agent against in vitro ZIKV infection in trophoblastic cells.

show abstract

Effects of metformin on parasitological, pathological changes in the brain and liver and immunological aspects during visceral toxocariasis in mice

Salama,

Elmahy,

Ibrahim

et al. 2023

Parasitol Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

There are currently insufficient anthelmintic medications available for the treatment of toxocariasis. For instance, Albendazole (ABZ) is the preferred medication, but its effectiveness against tissue-dwelling parasites is limited. In addition, Metformin (MTF) is a widely used oral antidiabetic medication that is considered to be safe for treatment. This study aimed to investigate any potential effects of MTF, alone or in combination with ABZ, on mice infections caused by Toxocara canis (T. canis). The efficacy of the treatment was assessed in the acute and chronic phases of the infection by larval recovery and histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical studies. The results showed that combined therapy significantly reduced larval counts in the liver, brain, and muscles and ameliorated hepatic and brain pathology. It reduced oxidative stress and TGF-β mRNA expression and increased FGF21 levels in the liver. It decreased TNF-α levels and MMP-9 expression in the brain. In addition, it increased serum levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ and decreased serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10. In the acute and chronic phases of the infection, the combined treatment was more effective than ABZ alone. In conclusion, this study highlights the potential role of MTF as an adjuvant in the treatment of experimental T. canis infection when administered with ABZ.

show abstract

Metformin promotes susceptibility to experimental Leishmania braziliensis infection

Cited by 8 publications

References 29 publications

Metformin improves the therapeutic efficacy of low-dose albendazole against experimental alveolar echinococcosis

Metformin improves the therapeutic efficacy of low-dose albendazole against experimental alveolar echinococcosis

Metformin Inhibits Zika Virus Infection in Trophoblast Cell Line

Effects of metformin on parasitological, pathological changes in the brain and liver and immunological aspects during visceral toxocariasis in mice

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About