Interplay of obesity and parasitic infection: current evidence of immunogenesis, tumorigenesis and leptin receptor involvement

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background Parasitic infections possess comparable risk factors to obesity. In addition, obesity impairs innate and adaptive immunity subsequently increasing vulnerability to infectious diseases. Aim The study investigated the leptin/leptin receptors, obesity-parasites mutual relationship and the effect of parasitic infections on immune metabolism, microbiota, and tumorigenesis in the context of obesity. Methodology To implement the current review, articles were gathered using the Egyptian Knowledge Bank (EKB), Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Conclusion Leptin enhances anti-parasitic immunity. Obesity favors intestinal colonization of Blastocystis sp., Dientamoeba fragilis, Entamoeba coli, and Giardia intestinalis. Adipocytes act as a niche and a food source for Trypanosoma cruzi, Trypanosoma brucei, and Plasmodium. In addition, Toxoplasma gondii relies on the circulatory cholesterol to thrive. Obesity provokes low-grade chronic inflammation and metabolic syndrome. Yet, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis and Fasciola hepatica attempted to alleviate inflammation and metabolic syndrome. Hookworm improves insulin resistance. However, parasites such as Schistosoma mansoni, Trichuris suis, Taenia pisiformis, Entamoeba histolytica, Trypanosoma cruzi, and Trypanosoma brucei, and Toxoplasma aggravated metabolic immune metabolic syndrome. Obesity hampered immunity against Leishman

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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