Protective Effect of an Extract fromAscaris suumin Experimental Arthritis Models

Abstract

We investigated the effect of an extract from a helminth (Ascaris suum) in zymosan-induced arthritis (ZYA) or collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Rats and mice, respectively, received 1 mg and 0.1 mg zymosan intraarticularly (i.a.). Test groups received an A. suum extract either per os (p.o.) or intraperitoneally (i.p.) 30 min prior to i.a. zymosan. Controls received saline. Hypernociception was measured using the articular incapacitation test. Cell influx, nitrite, and cytokine levels were assessed in joint exudates. The synovia and distal femoral extremities were used for histopathology. Cartilage damage was assessed through determining glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content. DBA/1J mice were subjected to CIA. The test group received A. suum extract i.p. 1 day after CIA became clinically detectable. Clinical severity and hypernociception were assessed daily. Neutrophil influx was determined using myeloperoxidase activity. The A. suum extract, either i.p. or p.o., significantly and dose-dependently inhibited cell influx and hypernociception in ZYA in addition to reducing GAG loss and ameliorating synovitis. The A. suum extract reduced i.a. levels of NO, interleukin-1␤ (IL-1␤), and IL-10 but not tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-␣) in rats subjected to ZYA while reducing i.a. IL-10, but not IL-1␤ or TNF-␣, levels in mice. Clinically, mice subjected to CIA treated with the A. suum extract had less severe arthritis. Hypernociception, myeloperoxidase activity, and synovitis severity were significantly reduced. These data show that a helminth extract given p.o. protects from arthritis severity in two classical arthritis models. This A. suum effect is species independent and functions orally and parenterally. The results show clinical and structural benefits when A. suum extract is given either prophylactically or therapeutically.

Worms to the rescue: Can worm glycans protect from autoimmune diseases?

“…Extract of the nematode Ascaris suum was also found to reduce the severity of CIA in mice (16). In addition, both oral and intraperitoneal administration of A. suum extract protected from zymosan-induced arthritis (ZYA) in a dose-dependent manner in rats and mice.…”

Immuno-Modulatory Effect and Therapeutic Potential of Brugia malayi Cystatin in Experimentally Induced Arthritis

“…ES-62 protein derived from A. viteae has been shown to exhibit reduction in the severity of inflammation in collagen induced arthritis (CIA) [1]. The administration of Ascaris suum or the treatment of whole worm extract effectively prevented zymogen induced arthritis in rats with amelioration of clinical symptoms of arthritis and synovitis in a dose dependent manner [19]. Prophylactic administration of S. mansoni worms reduced the severity of CIA reflected from decreased arthritis score and marked reduction in synovial hyperplasia, inflammatory cell influx and destruction of bone and cartilage as apparent from histopathological examination [5].…”

Inmunorregulación inducida por helmintos: una actualización

“…En niños crónicamente infectados, además de producir una polarización Th2, eleva la producción de IL-10 (73). Varios modelos animales de infección y otros de exposición al fluido seudocelómico (FSC) muestran que este disminuye la intensidad de la respuesta a otros alérgenos (74) así como de la inflamación tipo Th1 en un modelo de artritis (75).…”