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The immune response against Trichinella spiralis results in a mixed cytokine state and nitricoxide (NO) production. Albendazole (ALB) influences the oxidative status and cytokine profile of the host,in addition to its direct action on the parasite β-tubulin.

The current study was designed to assess the effect of the NO donor, L-arginine, on the muscularphase of experimental trichinosis in mice with and without ALB administration.

The study included five groups (G); negative non-infected control group (G1);positive infected non-treated control group (G2); ALB-treated group (G3); L-arginine-treated group < br />(G4); and combined ALB and L-arginine regimen group (G5). Study parameters included larval count,histopathological changes, and NO synthase (iNOS) immunohistochemical expression in skeletal muscleand heart during the muscular phase. Gene expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and β-tubulin, as well as NO production were evaluated by quantitative real timePCR (RT-qPCR).

L-arginine resulted in a significant increase in tissue iNOS expression and serum NO levels, inaddition to the increase in TNF and INF gene expression. Albendazole, on the other hand, was found todecrease local tissue expression of iNOS and serum NO in infected mice, whereas gene expression levelsof TNF and IFN were elevated.

Nitric oxide homeostasis is vital to the infection outcome and regeneration during musculartrichinosis. Albendazole exerts immunomodulatory effects in addition to its direct anti-parasitic action onT. spiralis.