Immunomodulatory effects of testosterone and letrozole during Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Malaria is one of the leading health problems globally. Plasmodium infection causes pronounced sexual dimorphism, and the lethality and severity are more remarkable in males than in females. To study the role of testosterone in the susceptibility and mortality of males in malaria, it is common to increase its concentration. However, this strategy does not consider the enzyme CYP19A1 aromatase, which can transform it into oestrogens.

Methods

To avoid the interference of oestrogens, we inhibited in vivo CYP19A1 aromatase with letrozole and increased the testosterone level by exogen administration before infection with Plasmodium berghei ANKA. We measured the impact on free testosterone, 17β-oestradiol and dehydroepiandrosterone levels in plasma; additionally, we e

SUBMITTER: Nolasco-Perez TJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10296187 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature