• Ibrahim Rabia, Faten Nagy2, Eman Aly1, Amina Mohamed; Fayza EL-Assal; and Azza El-Amir
الملخص العربي
The main problem in schistosomal hepatic morbidity is fibrosis and extensive scarring induced by living eggs. In this study, we tried to study the effect of treatment using antihelminthic drug (PZQ) and/or antifibrotic drugs, Pentoxifyllin (PTX) and silymarin in combination with immunization. Parasitological parameters, dynamics of serum-specific immunoglobulins (Igs) and splenic cytokines associated with changes in granuloma diameter were assessed. Naïve mice were immunized intravenously with 10 ug of SEA in three doses at 2 days intervals 6 weeks before infection. Animals were infected by tail immersion with 100 cercariae and divided into several groups. Three groups were treated with PZQ, PTX or silymarin administered alone, two groups were treated with PZQ combined with PTX or silymarin. All treated animals and respective controls were sacrificed 12 weeks post infection. Immunization did not affect worm reduction , but slight decrease in granuloma diameter, increase in immunoglobulins and cytokines was observed . Reduction in worm burden was associated with reduction in ova count and changes in oogram pattern which were mainly due to PZQ treatment. Increasing reduction in granuloma diameter, elevation of immunogloulins and cytokines levels were observed in the groups treated with PZQ alone or combined with either PTX or silymarin. In conclusion, in this study, treatment with PZQ complemented with immunization resulted in a significant reduction of parasitological parameters and a rise in specific Igs. The addition of antifibrotic drugs PTX or silymarin to PZQ, potentiated an antipathological effect which minimized and ameliorated liver fibrosis. [Journal of American Science 2010; 6(5):208-216]. (ISSN: 1545-1003).
أمينة محمد ابراهيم محمد | Amina Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed | 9068