Leptin and leptin receptors during malaria infection in mice.
Leptin, which is involved in a range of physiological processes, could be an important factor in the pathogenesis of malaria. We found that levels of leptin in serum and urine in Plasmodium berghei-infected mice increased progressively after infection, reaching a maximum value on day 6 post-infection. Serum values were approximately five-fold higher in infected mice than in non-infected controls. A similar relation was found for values of leptin in urine. Soluble leptin receptor levels also increased significantly in serum, more or less in line with the leptin increase. Our work represents the first report of visibly augmented leptin and soluble leptin receptor secretion in malarial infection.
Pulido-Mendez
Magdalena
M
Experimental Medicine Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Central de Venezuela, University City, 1041, Caracas, Venezuela.
De Sanctis
Juan
J
Rodríguez-Acosta
Alexis
A
D000818:Animals; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D008288:Malaria / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010962:Plasmodium berghei / Q000378:metabolism*; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D054411:Receptors, Leptin
D020738:Leptin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D054411:Receptors, Leptin; C515447:leptin receptor, mouse