Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40855340›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2025

Leptin enhances the efficacy of glucantime to modulate macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype in Leishmania tropica-infected macrophages.

Alireza Keyhani, Abdollah Jafarzadeh, Iraj Sharifi, Ehsan Salarkia

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Parasites & vectors, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Alireza KeyhaniLeishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Medical University Campus, Haft-Bagh Highway, Kerman, 7616913555, Iran.
Abdollah JafarzadehLeishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Medical University Campus, Haft-Bagh Highway, Kerman, 7616913555, Iran. Jafarzadeh14@yahoo.com.
Iraj SharifiLeishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Medical University Campus, Haft-Bagh Highway, Kerman, 7616913555, Iran.
Ehsan SalarkiaLeishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Medical University Campus, Haft-Bagh Highway, Kerman, 7616913555, Iran.

Funding

Vice Chancellor for Research and Technology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences 401000284
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMacrophages are essential immune cells during Leishmania infection, as their polarization toward M1/M2 phenotypes determines disease outcome. This study aimed to investigate the modulatory effects of leptin, alone and in combination with glucantime, on macrophage polarization in Leishmania tropica infection.

methodsHuman THP-1-derived macrophages infected with L. tropica were treated with leptin (5 or 10 ng/ml), glucantime (100 or 200 μg/ml), or their combinations. The cytotoxic effects, parasite survival, reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) generation, and expression of M1/M2 acrophage-related parameters were evaluated using standard methods.

resultsBoth leptin doses significantly increased the expression of M1-associated markers (CD86, iNOS, SOCS3, miR-155) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-12, IFN-γ) while decreasing M2-associated markers (CD206, ARG1, SOCS1, miR-146a) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β). The leptin-glucantime combinations showed synergistic effects, shifting macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype more than either treatment alone. In particular, the combination of 10 ng/ml leptin with 100 μg/ml glucantime completely eliminated intracellular amastigotes and showed a superior selectivity index (17.66) compared to mono-treatment (leptin: 7.88; glucantime: 6.87).

conclusionsThe findings indicate that leptin enhances the efficacy of glucantime against L. tropica by promoting M1 macrophage polarization. This presents a potential therapeutic approach that may lower conventional drug doses and associated toxicity while preserving or even improving treatment outcomes.

Indexed as

Antiprotozoal AgentsLeishmania tropicaLeptinMacrophagesMeglumine AntimoniateCytokinesDrug SynergismHumansNitric OxidePhenotypeReactive Oxygen SpeciesTHP-1 CellsAntiprotozoal AgentsCytokinesLeptinMeglumine AntimoniateNitric OxideReactive Oxygen SpeciesGlucantimeLeishmaniasisLeishmania tropicaLeptinM1/M2 macrophagesMacrophages

Identifiers

PMID40855340
PMCPMC12379411

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.