Albendazole-praziquantel association in experimental neurocysticercosis induces metabolic stress in energy pathways

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a serious public health problem, with high incidence in countries where sanitary conditions are poor. The disease is caused by infection of the central nervous system by cysticerci of Taenia solium, the larval form of the parasite, and can lead to severe neurological symptoms such as seizures, headaches, and cognitive deficits. The intracranial inoculation of Taenia crassiceps in mice is an experimental model used for NCC studies. NCC treatment may vary and is primarily carried out using the drugs albendazole (ABZ) and praziquantel (PZQ), either alone or in combination. This study aimed to determine and evaluate the metabolic impact of ABZ-PZQ combination therapy in mice intracranially infected with T. crassiceps cysticerci. The combined use of ABZ and PZQ showed a significant impact on glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, propionate production, and protein catabolism compared to the control group (treated with 0.9% NaCl). The combined mode of action of ABZ-PZQ induced metabolic stress and increased the use of alternative energy pathways by the cysticerci. Therefore, both anthelmintics demonstrated a significant impact on the metabolism of T. crassiceps cysticerci.