Studies on the Therapeutic Effects of 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone on the Brain Injuries Caused by Angiostrongylus Cantonensis in C57bl/6 Mice

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the most important causative agent of eosinophilic meningitis and/or eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in humans. The severity of the infection is related to the location of the lesions and larvae migration in the brain. The infection may cause permanent mechanical damages of the central nervous system. Corticosteroids have been reported to be effective in relieving headaches caused by the infection. However, these drugs have no effects on killing worms and protecting/repairing brain damages caused by A. cantonensis. Anthelmintics and neuroprotective agents may be feasible therapeutic alternatives. Although the importance of BDNF/TrkB signaling in neurological abnormalities has been extensively explored, no studies have been conducted to investigate its potential therapeutic value in A. cantonensis infection. 7,8-Dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) triggered-BDNF/TrkB signaling activity provides neuroprotective effects to improve neurological and neurobehavioral deficits in brain injury and neurodegeneration models. It is anticipated that the abnormalities in brain caused by A. cantonensis will be improved by 7,8-DHF treatment. This project is designed to explore the therapeutic effect of 7,8-DHF and combination with albendazole in neurological manifestations of C57BL/6 mice infected with A. cantonensis. After administering different therapeutic strategies to infected mice, loss and recovery of deficits in cognition and motor function will be determined. These changes in behavior will be investigated by analysis of magnetic resonance imaging, neuropathology, blood brain barrier permeability, neuronal death and neuronal morphology associated with pathological phenomena. The results should provide useful information for diagnosis and treatment A. cantonensis infection.

Project ID:PC10907-1521
External Project ID:MOST109-2320-B182-032-MY3