Effect of praziquantel administration on hepatic stereology of mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni and fed a low-protein diet

Abstract

A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of administering praziquantel (PZQ), focusing on the liver stereological findings of malnourished mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni. Thirty female Swiss Webster mice (age: 21 days; weight: 8-14 g) were fed either a low-protein diet (8%) or standard chow (22% protein) for 15 days. Five mice in each group were infected with 50 cercariae each of the BH strain (Brazil). PZQ therapy (80 mg/kg body weight, per day) was started on the 50th day of infection and consisted of daily administration for 5 days. Volume density (hepatocytes, sinusoids and hepatic fibrosis) was determined by stereology using a light microscope. Body weight gain and total serum albumin levels were always lower in undernourished mice. Our stereological study demonstrated that treatment increased both volume density of hepatocytes in mice fed standard chow (47.56%, treated group and 12.06%, control) and low-protein chow (30.98%, treated group and 21.44%, control), and hepatic sinusoids [standard chow (12.52%, treated group and 9.06%, control), low-protein chow (14.42%, treated group and 8.46%, control)], while hepatic fibrosis was reduced [standard chow (39.92%, treated group and 78.88%, control) and low-protein chow (54.60%, treated group and 70.10%, control)]. On the other hand, mice fed low-protein chow decreased density volume of hepatocytes and hepatic fibrosis. In conclusion, our findings indicate that treatment with PZQ ameliorates hepatic schistosomiasis pathology even in mice fed a low-protein diet.

Potency of detergents in enhancing Schistosoma mansoni tegumental antigens

“…These results agree with those of El Shenawy et al [29] and Barros et al [30], who also observed that, after S. mansoni infection, elevation in protein and globulin (antibody) levels are associated with infection and liver dysfunction; hence globulin elevation represents a responsive mechanism enhancing the immunity of the host. The protein profile in S. mansoni infected mice pre-immunized by the three selected tegumental antigens recorded improvement in all fractions, where TX100-TA showed the highest enhanced level (Table 2 and Figure 1).…”

Anti-inflammatory/anti-fibrotic effects of the hepatoprotective silymarin and the schistosomicide praziquantel against Schistosoma mansoni-induced liver fibrosis

“…The observed elevation in ALT reflects either acute active or chronic liver damage [33], and hypoalbuminemia in chronic infection occurs simultaneously with the increase in collagen deposition. This could be associated with malabsorption due to damaged intestinal mucosa resulting from the extrusion of large numbers of eggs, or could be due to decreased synthesis which may result from parasitic injury to hepatic cells [34]. In addition, a significant depletion of GSH, which constitutes the first line of defence against free radicals and is a critical determinant of tissue susceptibility to oxidative damage, was observed.…”

Effect of praziquantel prolonged administration on granuloma formation around Schistosoma japonicum eggs in lung of sensitized mice

“…There were many researches that demonstrated the reversibility of inflammation and liver fibrosis after praziquantel treatment of schistosome infection in animal models (Morcos et al 1985;el-Badrawy et al 1988;Barros et al 2009). In addition, in human beings, praziquantel administration also can reverse hepatic fibrosis in most of patients with schistosomiasis, especially in the early stage.…”