Prophylactic effects of biogenic selenium nanoparticles on acute toxoplasmosis: An in vivo study.

Mojtaba Shakibaie,Ebrahim Badparva,Fatemeh Ezzatkhah,Sareh Jahanbakhsh,Hossein Mahmoudvand,Esraa Gabal

doi:10.1016/j.amsu.2020.04.010

Abstract

BackgroundIn this investigation, the in vivo efficacy and safety of biogenic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are assessed against acute toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii (Sarcocystidae) in the mice.MethodsMale NMRI mice were orally treated with normal saline (control group) and SeNPs at the doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg once a day for 14 days. On the 15th day, the mice were infected with 104 tachyzoites of T. gondii RH strain by the intraperitoneal route. The mortality rate and parasite load were determined in the infected mice. The mRNA levels of IFN-γ, IL10, IL12, and inducible nitric oxide synthase were also examined in the infected mice by quantitative real-time PCR.ResultsThe rate of mortality in the infected mice receiving SeNPs at the doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg compared with the mice in the control group was 100% on the 9 and 10 days after the administration. The mean number of tachyzoites in the infected mice receiving SeNPs was significantly lower than that in the control group. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was found in the biochemical parameters between the mice treated with SeNPs and the mice in the control group. The results revealed that mRNA levels significantly improved in the infected mice treated with SeNPs compared with those in the control group.ConclusionFindings of the present investigation showed the considerable efficacy of SeNPs with no important toxicity for curing acute toxoplasmosis in the mice model. However, further studies are needed to clarify the accurate anti-Toxoplasma mechanisms of SeNPs.

Highlights

Toxoplasma gondii as a universal intracellular parasite which is observed all over the world infects a broad spectrum of animals and about 30% of humans
The best medication used to treat toxoplasmosis is the concomitant use of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine; studies in recent years have suggested that the side effects of these drugs such as osteoporosis, sepsis, and teratogenic properties, especially in immuno compromised individuals, should not be neglected [6,7,8]
Forty-eight male NMRI mice aged 40–45 days and weighting from 20 to 25 g were obtained from Pasteur Institute, Tehran, Iran, to induce the acute toxoplasmosis and safety of Se NPs

Summary

Introduction

Toxoplasma gondii as a universal intracellular parasite which is observed all over the world infects a broad spectrum of animals and about 30% of humans It has been proven that selenium (Se) is one of the most important and vital elements for humans and animals, the deficiency of which causes irreparable diseases and injuries such as immune impairment [9] This element exists in a range of functional proteins that play vital roles including anti-cancer effects and strengthen the immune system against infectious agents [10,11]. Several investigations have demonstrated that NPs, especially Se NPs, can considerably prevent the growth of some In this investigation, the in vivo efficacy and safety of biogenic selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are assessed against acute toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii (Sarcocystidae) in the mice. Results: The rate of mortality in the infected mice receiving SeNPs at the doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg compared with the mice in the control group was 100% on the 9 and 10 days after the administration. Further studies are needed to clarify the accurate anti-Toxoplasma mechanisms of SeNPs

Methods

Results

Conclusion