Neuroprotective role of resveratrol mediated by purinergic signalling in cerebral cortex of mice infected by Toxoplasma gondii

The central nervous system of the intermediate host plays a central role in lifelong persistence ofToxoplasma gondiias well as the pathogenesis of congenital toxoplasmosis and reactivated infection in immunocompromised individuals. The purinergic system has been implicated in a wide range of immunological pathways for controlling intracellular responses to pathogens, includingT. gondii. In the present study, we investigated the effect of resveratrol (RSV) on ectonucleotidases, adenosine deaminase (ADA), and purinergic receptors during chronic infection byT. gondii. For this study, Swiss mice were divided into control (CTL), resveratrol (RSV), infected (INF), and INF+RSV groups. The animals were orally infected with the VEG strain and treated with RSV (100 mg/kg, orally). Ectonucleotidase activities, P2X(7), P2Y(1), A1, and A(2A)purinergic receptor density, ROS, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels were measured in the cerebral cortex of mice.T. gondiiinfection increased NTPDase and reduced ADA activities. Treatment with RSV also affected enzymes hydrolysing extracellular nucleotides and nucleosides. Finally, RSV affected P1 and P2 purinergic receptor expression duringT. gondiiinfection. Overall, RSV-mediated beneficial changes in purinergic signalling and oxidative stress, possibly improving cerebral cortex homeostasis inT. gondiiinfection.