The influence of Borrelia burgdorferi and Anaplasma phagocytophilum bacteria on phospholipid metabolism in the blood of patients

Abstract

Ticks carry various pathogens, including the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which causes Lyme disease (LD) in humans, and the Gram-negative bacterium Anaplasma phagocytophilum, which causes human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA). These diseases pose both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. It is known that tick-borne diseases are typically accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammation, and consequently, other metabolic changes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the modification of ROS- and enzyme-dependent metabolism of phospholipids and free polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), by assessing the level of ROS-dependent lipid peroxidation products and enzyme-dependent endocannabinoids and eicosanoids in the blood serum of patients with LD, HGA, and co-infections (LD+HGA) before and after pharmacotherapy, and thus to determine the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy based on doxycycline and amoxicillin. In the course of LD, HGA, and LD+HGA, systemic oxidative stress (increased 4-HNE level) occurs, which is accompanied by increased enzymatic metabolism of PUFAs with a tendency for free PUFAs to increase before and decrease after treatment, especially in LD, endocannabinoids (increased, especially 2-AG in HGA and LD+HGA), and all examined eicosanoid levels. Pharmacotherapy, especially in patients with LD, resulted in a decrease in all free PUFAs and a reduction in thromboxane B2 (TXB2) level. On the other hand, treatment with doxycycline in the HGA significantly increased PGE2 levels and decreased TXB2. Metabolic changes resulting from the infection, along with the incomplete return of the assessed parameters to physiological conditions, suggest that patients could benefit from additional supplementation, such as drugs or natural antioxidants that regulate lipid metabolism.