Author/Authors :
Firouzeh, Nima Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology - Afzalipour Medical School - Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman , Ziaali, Naser Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology - Afzalipour Medical School - Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman , Sheibani, Vahid Neuroscience Research Center - Neuropharmacology Institute - Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman , Doustimotlagh, Amir Hossein Department of Clinical Biochemistry - Faculty of Medicine - Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj , Afgar, Ali Research Center for Hydatid Disease in Iran - Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman , Zamanpour, Maryam Department of Medical Parasitology - School of Medicine - Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz , Keshavarz, Hossein Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Shojaee, Saeideh Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Shafiei, Reza Vector-Borne Diseases Research Center -North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd , Esmaeilpour, Khadijeh Neuroscience Research Center - Neuropharmacology Institute - Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman , Babaei, Zahra Leishmaniasis Research Center - Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman
Abstract :
Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a neuroinvasive protozoa pathogen that could manipulate its
intermediate host's behavior. However, the possible link between T. gondii infection and the development
of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease (PD) has been proposed, we
tested the hypothesis that in chronic toxoplasmosis neuroinflammation, and molecular mediators
potentiate behavioral-cognitive impairments in BALB/c mice with PD.
Methods: To establish chronic toxoplasmosis by Tehran strain, cysts of T. gondii were injected
intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice in Kerman, Iran in 2019. To induce the PD model, mice
(BALB/c) were treated with Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). The behavioral
experiments such as anxiety and motor coordination were performed using the Open field and
Rotarod tests. Additionally, we investigated the contribution of Toxoplasma-induced neuroinflammation,
and behavioral-cognitive impairments in the PD mice model.
Results: Chronic toxoplasmosis caused PD-like symptoms and induced various behavioral changes
in infected BALB/c mice. In T. gondii infected+MPTP treated group, T. gondii infection could
potentiate PD in infected mice receiving MPTP and caused remarkable dysfunction in motor coordination
and change in anxiety and depression-like behaviors similar or more severe than PD
group.
Conclusion: Chronic T. gondii infection exacerbates pathological progression of PD in BALB/c
mice brain by promoting neuroinflammation, and behavioral changes establishing
Keywords :
Toxoplasma gondii , Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6- tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) , Behavioral impairments , Inflammation , Anxiety behaviors , Parkinson
