Significance of selected biochemical markers in predicting the outcome of schistosomiasis

Abstract

This study aimed to correlate the histopathological changes in mice liver with alterations either in liver tissue antioxidants enzymes (catalase and reduced glutathione (GSH)), oxidative stress marker (malondialdehyde (MDA)) or in serum liver function parameters (Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein (T.P.) and albumin) to predict the outcome of schistosomiasis. Fourty male Swiss albino mice were used in this study and infected with Schistosoma mansoni for 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks (8 mice for each group), while, the uninfected mice were used as negative control. Liver tissue antioxidants enzymes, oxidative stress marker and serum liver function parameters were determined in coincide with the liver tissue histopathological changes. All selected biochemical makers showed a strong significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) with liver histopathology score except serum albumin and liver tissue catalase enzyme. The last two parameters exhibited negative correlation with liver histopathology score. These results revealed that the more increase in the level of AST, ALT, T.P. and globulin in serum or liver tissue MDA and GSH indicating severs histopathological changed into the affected liver and hopeless prognosis is expected. On contrary, the increase in albumin level in serum or catalase level in liver tissue of affected patient/animal demonstrating mild liver histopathological changes. Subsequently, good prognosis and response to anti-schistosomal treatment will be predictable. This study opens the way to predict the outcome of schistosomiasis through easy and rapid biochemical test. Therefore, other studies are required to apply such correlation with other biochemical parameters especially that synthesized into the liver.