The Intersection Between Schistosoma mansoni Infection and Dyslipidemia Modulates Inflammation in the Visceral Adipose Tissue of Swiss Webster Mice.

Abstract

Background: Dyslipidemia and schistosomiasis are major public health challenges, particularly in endemic regions where their coexistence may influence host metabolism and immune responses. This study aimed to evaluate visceral adipose tissue (AT) remodeling in a murine model of acute Schistosoma mansoni infection combined with diet-induced dyslipidemia. Methodology: Female Swiss Webster mice were fed either a standard or high-fat diet (HFD) for 29 weeks and infected with S. mansoni at week 20. Nine weeks after infection, biochemical, morphometric, histopathological, and immunological analyses were performed. Results: The HFD promoted weight gain and dyslipidemia, while S. mansoni infection alone did not alter lipid profiles but partially mitigated the metabolic effects of the HFD. Morphometric analysis revealed adipocyte hypertrophy and reduced cell number in HFD-fed animals. In HFD-fed infected mice, infection partially reversed hypertrophy, suggesting a modulatory effect on AT remodeling. Histopathological examinations showed that while a HFD induced mild inflammation, infection led to intense leukocyte infiltration, hyperemia, and plasma cell degeneration. Peritoneal lavage confirmed a proinflammatory immune profile. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the interaction between a HFD and S. mansoni infection exacerbates adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic alterations, highlighting the complex interplay between parasitic infection, diet, and immune-metabolic regulation.