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

L.A Barros,R.H Neves,C.L Biolchini,M Costa-Silva,J.R Machado-Silva

doi:10.1590/s0100-879x2009000900007

L.A Barros, R.H Neves + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0100-879x2009000900007

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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.

Highlights

Over the last several years, experimental studies in mice have demonstrated that host nutritional status may influence the outcome and progression of schistosomiasis infection, since it interferes with the dynamics of connective tissue changes occurring in hepatic lesions [1]
Animal biometry and nutritional data Body weight gain and total serum albumin levels were lower (P < 0.05) in the mice fed the low-protein diet compared to well-nourished mice (Table 1)
Previous research has shown that feeding a low-protein diet leads to a reduction in total body weight gain and serum albumin levels in mice infected with S. mansoni [13]

Summary

Introduction

Over the last several years, experimental studies in mice have demonstrated that host nutritional status may influence the outcome and progression of schistosomiasis infection, since it interferes with the dynamics of connective tissue changes occurring in hepatic lesions [1]. Chemotherapy with praziquantel (PZQ) plays a very important role in reducing the morbidity of Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice, effectively killing adult worms and mature eggs trapped in the host tissues [3]. It decreases inflammation and progressive matrix degradation [4]. On the basis of the considerations, the objective of the present study was to test liver status following PZQ administration to S. mansoni-infected mice fed a low-protein diet, using stereology parameters

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Results

Conclusion