Oxidative stress and changes in liver antioxidant enzymes induced by experimental dicroceliosis in hamsters

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to assess the effects of experimental dicroceliosis on the antioxidant defense capability of the liver in hamsters. Studies were carried out at 80 and 120 days after infection with an oral dose of 40 metacercariae of Dicrocoelium dendriticum. The parasitic pathology was ascertained by the presence of fluke eggs in feces, increased serum ALT and AST activities, and histological findings. The concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and the ratio of oxidized to reduced glutathione (GSSG/GSH), measured as markers of oxidative stress, were significantly increased [TBARS: +40% and +84% at 80 and 120 days postinfection (p.i.), respectively; GSSG/GSH: +200% and +117%]. Dicroceliosis increased Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in both cytosol (+24% and +46%) and mitochondria (+73% and +41%). Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly reduced in cytosol (-19% and -38%) and mitochondria (-20% and -39%). No significant change was found in the activity of Se-independent GPx or catalase. The ratio of glutathione peroxidase/glutathione reductase at 80 and 120 days p.i. was increased by 25% and 63%, respectively. Gamma-glutamyl cysteinyl synthetase activity was increased by 27% and 20%, respectively. Our data indicate that although dicroceliosis courses with activation of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione synthesis, inefficient scavenging of reactive oxygen species takes place, resulting in oxidative liver damage.

Field and experimental studies on Dicrocoelium dendriticum and dicrocoeliasis in northern Spain

“…As regards GGT activity, we observed a slight increase in the infected lambs compared with controls, as occurred in some of the sheep studied by Ranucci & Grol-Ranucci (1978) and naturally infected with D. dendriticum and Echinococcus granulosus. However, Sánchez-Campos et al (1999) observed a decrease in GGT activity in hamsters infected with D. dendriticum in comparison with the controls. The increase in the activity of this enzyme seems to be directly related to worm burden, and this was confirmed by Ranucci et al (1981) in naturally infected sheep.…”

Antioxidant potential of rat liver in experimental infection with Fasciola hepatica

“…with the generation of reactive oxygen species (Smith et al 1992;Maffei Facino et al 1993;Abu-Shousha et al1999). Enhanced reactive oxygen species production was also disclosed in trichinellosis and dicroceliosis (Boczon´et al 1996;Sanchez-Campos et al 1999, 2000Derda et al 2004). The high chemical reactivity of reactive oxygen species leads to reactions with almost all constituents of the cell, including proteins, lipids, and DNA.…”

Evaluation of hepatic antioxidant changes in ovine dicrocoeliosis

“…The sharp increase of MDA concentration showed that D. dendriticum infection evokes significant changes in the oxidative status of infected host. An increase of MDA, due to enhanced production of ROS, was also disclosed in trichinellosis (Derda et al 2004), experimental hamster dicrocoeliosis (Sanchez-Campos et al 1999) and fascioliosis (Kolodziejczyk et al 2006).…”

“…Many investigations indicate that parasitic infections with high tolerance of the host are the result of defence mechanisms which include enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) (Sanchez-Campos et al 1999). These molecules can exist in a free form and interact with various vital tissue and cell components which results in organism dysfunction.…”