Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Common Metabolic Alterations in Plasma of Patients with Toxoplasma Infection and Schizophrenia

Toxoplasma gondii infection is associated with schizophrenia from the perspectives of seroepidemiology and serum metabolomics in Hunan Province, China

Toxoplasma gondii (T.gondii) can influence the host's neurotransmission, central immune responses, and brain structure, potentially impacting the onset and development of various psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. We employed Electrochemiluminescence Immunoassay (ECLIA) to measure anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in 451 schizophrenic patients and 478 individuals from the general population in Hunan, China. The incidence rate of T.gondii infection in schizophrenic patients (8.87 %) was higher than that in the general population (3.77 %). A significant difference was observed among females, but not in males. Age-stratified analysis revealed significant differences in the 21-40 and 41-60 age groups. The two populations had no significant difference in the antibody titer for T. gondii infection. Additionally, the profile of circulating metabolites in the serum of schizophrenic patients with or without T. gondii infection was examined using non-targeted metabolomics assay. A total of 68 metabolites were differentially expressed between Toxoplasma-positive and Toxoplasma-negative groups, potentially mediating the connection between T. gondii infection and schizophrenia. Our research suggests that schizophrenic patients are susceptible to T. gondii infection with distinct metabolic program.

The intersection of host in vivo metabolism and immune responses to infection with kinetoplastid and apicomplexan parasites

SUMMARYProtozoan parasite infection dramatically alters host metabolism, driven by immunological demand and parasite manipulation strategies. Immunometabolic checkpoints are often exploited by kinetoplastid and protozoan parasites to establish chronic infection, which can significantly impair host metabolic homeostasis. The recent growth of tools to analyze metabolism is expanding our understanding of these questions. Here, we review and contrast host metabolic alterations that occur in vivo during infection with Leishmania, trypanosomes, Toxoplasma, Plasmodium, and Cryptosporidium. Although genetically divergent, there are commonalities among these pathogens in terms of metabolic needs, induction of the type I immune responses required for clearance, and the potential for sustained host metabolic dysbiosis. Comparing these pathogens provides an opportunity to explore how transmission strategy, nutritional demand, and host cell and tissue tropism drive similarities and unique aspects in host response and infection outcome and to design new strategies to treat disease.

Elucidating the Pharmacological Properties of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Ginger) on Muscle Ageing by Untargeted Metabolomic Profiling of Human Myoblasts

(1) Background: Muscle loss is associated with frailty and a reduction in physical strength and performance, which is caused by increased oxidative stress. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a potential herb that can be used to reduce the level of oxidative stress. This study aimed to determine the effect of ginger on the expression of metabolites and their metabolic pathways in the myoblast cells to elucidate the mechanism involved and its pharmacological properties in promoting myoblast differentiation. (2) Methods: The myoblast cells were cultured into three stages (young, pre-senescent and senescent). At each stage, the myoblasts were treated with different concentrations of ginger extract. Then, metabolomic analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS). (3) Results: Nine metabolites were decreased in both the pre-senescent and senescent control groups as compared to the young control group. For the young ginger-treated group, 8-shogaol and valine were upregulated, whereas adipic acid and bis (4-ethyl benzylidene) sorbitol were decreased. In the pre-senescent ginger-treated group, the niacinamide was upregulated, while carnitine and creatine were downregulated. Ginger treatment in the senescent group caused a significant upregulation in 8-shogaol, octadecanamide and uracil. (4) Conclusions: Ginger extract has the potential as a pharmacological agent to reduce muscle loss in skeletal muscle by triggering changes in some metabolites and their pathways that could promote muscle regeneration in ageing.