Is arachidonic acid an endoschistosomicide?

Abstract

Graphical abstractArachidonic acid interacts with the surface double lipid bilayer shield of larval, developing and adult schistosomes, leading to its disintegration and eventual parasite attrition.

Arachidonic Acid Is a Safe and Efficacious Schistosomicide, and an Endoschistosomicide in Natural and Experimental Infections, and Cysteine Peptidase Vaccinated Hosts

“…It is because PUFAs, and not saturated fatty acids, that function as endogenous antimicrobial molecules (45). The results together suggest S. haematobium, known for their higher sensitivity to PUFAs (9,10,21,41)…”

Role of T lymphocytes and papain enzymatic activity in the protection induced by the cysteine protease against Schistosoma mansoni in mice

“…In support of this hypothesis, papain injection skewed innate and acquired immune responses to the antigens of invading S. mansoni towards the type 2 axis, preceding the effects of egg-derived soluble antigens, with preponderance of IgG1 antibodies and accumulation of uric acid and ARA in the lung 7 days PI and in the liver starting 17 days PI. Type 2-related antibodies to ESP, especially cysteine peptidases, and ARA, a documented schistosomicide [42], [43], [44], [45] and a putative endoschistosomicide [21], [22], [23], appear to join forces to mediate the attrition of developing worms in the lung capillaries and liver sinusoids. Repeat experiments have demonstrated that ARA impairs the viability and hatchability of S. mansoni eggs ex vivo (El Ridi, personal communication) and may well be responsible for parasite ovum attrition in the liver and small intestine via accumulation in the liver, especially in papain-pretreated mice.…”

“…It is imperative to examine the basis and mechanism(s) of the anti-schistosomiasis protective effect of cysteine peptidases, particularly the role of thymus (T)-derived lymphocytes and protease enzymatic activity. The experimental model protease papain was used to decipher the effects of cysteine peptidases on parasitological parameters; levels of serum antibody responses; uric acid, a main product of cysteine peptidase catabolic activity [19], [20]; and the endoschistosomicide, arachidonic acid (ARA) [21], [22], [23]. The data together revealed differential effects of the innate and T-dependent immune axis and papain enzymatic activity and structural motifs on S. mansoni worm burden, parasite egg viability, humoral antibody responses, and lung and liver uric acid and ARA levels.…”

Arachidonic acid: Physiological roles and potential health benefits – A review

“…This pioneering study prompted us to examine the relation between susceptibility and resistance of rodents to S. mansoni or S. haematobium infection and ARA levels in serum and lung and liver cells before and weekly after infection. The results strongly suggested that ARA is a potent “natural” schistosomicide, and may be considered an endoschistosomicide [105] .…”