Cafeteria diet-induced obesity remodels immune response in acute Trypanosoma cruzi infection

Background: Obesity is a global problem associated with several conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, arthritis and cardiovascular diseases. With the increase in the prevalence of obesity in recent years, mostly in developing countries, it is important to study its impact on various diseases, including infectious illnesses, such as Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. Considering that a diet rich in salt, sugar, and fat is associated with obesity, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of cafeteria diet (CAF)-induced obesity on immune responses in T. cruzi-infected rats.Methods: Male Wistar Hannover rats were provided with water and food ad libitum (chow group). The CAF-fed groups received a normal rodent diet or CAF. The animals were intraperitoneally infected with 10(5) trypomastigote forms of the Y strain of T. cruzi present in the whole blood from a previously infected mouse.Results: CAF-fed rats showed a significant increase in visceral adipose tissue weight compared to chow-fed rats. A significant reduction in CD3(+) CD4(+) helper splenic T cells was observed in obese-infected rats compared to non-obese-infected rats, as well as CD11b and macrophages. In addition, macrophages from obese animals displayed reduced RT1b levels compared to those from control animals. Moreover, INF-gamma, an important factor in macro-phage activation, was reduced in obese-infected rats compared with their counterparts.Conclusions: These results indicate that a CAF can impair the cell-mediated immune response against T. cruzi.

Automated summary

The study found that a cafeteria diet can impair the cell-mediated immune response against T. cruzi in rats, leading to a significant reduction in CD3(+) CD4(+) helper splenic T cells, CD11b, and macrophages in obese-infected rats compared to non-obese-infected rats. Additionally, macrophages from obese animals showed reduced RT1b levels compared to control animals, and INF-gamma levels were lower in obese-infected rats compared to their counterparts.