Effect of Lactobacillus sporogenes (probiotic) on certain parasitological and molecular aspects in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice

Abstract

The prospective effects of Lactobacillus sporogenes (probiotics) and/or praziquantel (PZQ) treatment on some parasitological, histological and molecular aspects in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice were studied. The present data recorded that combination between PZQ (300 mg/Kg one dose 7 weeks post infection) and L. sporogenes (12.5 million spore/mice/week for 8 weeks from the first day of infection) reduced worm and ova count. Also, oogram patterns in liver and intestine recorded that treatment with L. sporogenes alone increase number of dead eggs especially in intestine. Histological observations showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the mean values of granuloma diameters in liver and intestine in infected mice groups treated with PZQ and/or L. sporogenes. Single strand breaks (comet assay) showed increase in number of damaged and strong damaged lymphocyte cells in mice infected with S. mansoni and infected treated with PZQ while L. sporogenes administration reduced DNA damage. Flow cytometry also confirmed role of L. sporogenes in reducing significantly DNA damage according to determination of cell cycle analysis apoptosis. It can be concluded that administration of L. sporogenes accompanied with PZQ treatment ameliorates the hepatic and intestinal damage caused by S. mansoni infection.

Keywords: Comet assay; Flow cytometry; Lactobacillussporogenes; PZQ; Schistosoma mansoni.

Fig. 1

Photomicrograph showing single strand breaks of DNA of leukocytes. a Normal DNA spots (no migration). b Damaged DNA spots (migration towards the anode). c Strong damaged DNA spots (more migration towards the anode)

Fig. 2

Computerized cell cycle analysis apoptosis of S. mansoni infected mice liver treated with PZQ and/or Lactobacillus sporogenes. a Non infected control, b infected control, c infected treated with PZQ, d infected treated with Lactobacillus sporogenes and e infected treated with PZQ and Lactobacillus sporogens

Fig. 3

Photomicrograph of liver: a non infected mouse showing radiation of hepatic strands (HS), central vein (CV), blood sinusoids (S) and Kupffer cells (K); b mouse infected with S. mansoni showing typical schistosomal granuloma (G) with two schistosomal ova (O) surrounded by lymphocytes and fibrocytic cells, abnormal hepatocytes (H) and spaces found inside hepatic lobules; c PZQ treated mouse receiving a dose of 300 mg/kg showing fibrocellular granuloma (G) of intermediate size around non calcified schistosomal ovum (O) with hydropic degeneration (Hd) of adjacent hepatocytes; d infected mouse treated with L. sporogenes for 8 weeks from the first day of infection showing less affected liver structure, central vein surrounded with hepatic strands (HS) separated with blood sinusoids (S) and e infected mouse treated with PZQ for 1 week and L. sporogenes for 8 weeks from the first day of infection showing improvement in hepatic strands and normal central vein, normal Kupffer cells (K) and blood sinusoid (S) (H&E ×400)

Fig. 4

Photomicrograph of intestine: a non infected mouse showing the typical structure while villi appeared as finger like projection covered with simple columner epithelium (H&E ×200); b mouse infected with S. mansoni showing multi granuloma with viable eggs surrounded by chronic inflammatory cells and concentric fibrous tissues; c PZQ treated mouse receiving a dose of 300 mg/kg showing granuloma with degenerated schistosomal egg surrounded with chronic inflammatory cells; d S. mansoni infected mouse treated with L. sporogenes showing granuloma with schistosomal egg surrounded with little amount and mild inflammatory cells and e infected mouse treated with PZQ for 1 week and L. sporogenes for 8 weeks from the first day of infection showing granuloma with schistosomal egg surrounded with mild inflammatory cells (H&E ×400)