S-Methylcysteine (SMC) Ameliorates Intestinal, Hepatic, and Splenic Damage Induced by Cryptosporidium parvum Infection Via Targeting Inflammatory Modulators and Oxidative Stress in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis has been proposed to be one of the major causes of diarrhoeal disease in humans worldwide that possesses zoonotic concern. Thereby, this study investigated the potential effects of s-Methylcysteine (SMC) on the parasite in vivo followed by the measurement of cytokines, oxidative stress parameters, and an investigation of the major histopathological changes. Sixty male Swiss albino mice weighing 20–25 g were allocated equally into five groups and orally administered saline only (control), SMC only (SMC50) (50 mg/kg b.w.), and 104Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts per mouse via an esophageal tube (C + ve untreated). The fourth and fifth groups (C + SMC25, C + SMC50) administrated 104C. parvum oocysts combined with SMC25 (low dose) and 50 (high dose) mg/kg b.w., respectively. At days 7 and 14 post-infection (PI), the feces was collected from each group in order to count C. parvum oocysts. After two weeks of treatment, the animals were euthanized and the serum was collected for biochemical analysis. Next, the intestinal, spleen, and liver sections were dissected for histopathological examination. The results revealed lower oocyst numbers in the C + SMC25 and C + SMC50 groups compared to the infected untreated group. Moreover, higher doses of SMC treatment significantly reduced the enteritis induced by C. parvum in a dose-dependent manner. The hepatic lesions were also mitigated as demonstrated in C + SMC25 and C + SMC50 groups unlike the infected group via lowering the serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzymes and increasing albumin and globulin serum levels. SMC administration also reduced cytokines production (SAP, TNF-α, IL-6, and IFN-γ) mediated by Cryptosporidium infection in contrast to the infected untreated group. There were marked lymphoid depletion and amyloidosis observed in the infected untreated group, while the treated groups showed obvious increase in the lymphoid elements. Moreover, the scoring of intestinal parasites, hepatic, and splenic lesions in the SMC-treated groups exhibited significantly lower pathological lesions in different organs in a dose-dependent manner, compared to the infected untreated group. Our results also revealed a significant change in the malondialdehyde content with an elevation of glutathione and superoxide dismutase in the intestines collected from C + SMC25 and C + SMC50 mice relative to the untreated group. Taken together, our results indicated that SMC could be a promising effective compound for treating and declining C. parvum infestation via restoring structural alterations in different tissues, enhancing antioxidant enzymes, and suppressing the cytokines liberation.

Anticryptosporidium Efficacy of Olea europaea and Ficus carica Leaves Extract in Immunocompromised Mice Associated with Biochemical Characters and Antioxidative System

“…Serum levels of liver enzymes (AST and ALT) and serum urea showed high significant increase in the infected control group compared to the normal control one. This is consistent with earlier studies that found an increase in liver enzymes during Cryptosporium infection [ 1 , 18 , 44 ]. This can be explained due to hepatocytes damages that induced by the parasite as elevated AST indicates mitochondrial damage and elevated ALT signaling cell membrane injury [ 45 ].…”

“…The same results observed when treated cryptosporidiosis Swiss albino mice with S-Methylcysteine at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg body weight. significantly led to correcting the levels of GSH and as SOD activity toward the control level [ 18 ]. The antioxidant potential of crude extract of Solanum nigrum leaves and its active constituents as treatment against restraint stress in rat’s liver was evaluated, and it was found that tested extract was confirmed by the deterioration of stress change in ALT and AST marker enzymes toward their normal values [ 58 ].…”

“…Obiad et al [ 17 ] found no significant differences between the GPT, GOT and urea levels in both mice infected with cryptosporidium and treated with Curcuma longa rhizomes, Coriandrum sativum and Viscum album fruits compared with infected control mice. El Mahalawy et al [ 18 ] showed a significant increase in GOT and GPT levels in an infected group compared to healthy mice. Additionally, Hafez and El Hamed [ 1 ] observed an improvement of liver enzymes levels (GOT, GPT) in treated groups compared to the infected control group.…”

S-Methylcysteine Ameliorates the Intestinal Damage Induced by Eimeria tenella Infection via Targeting Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Modulators

“…Therefore, using plant-based compounds to control the poultry coccidiosis would help avoid the chemical therapy's resistance. Garlic extract compounds, such as SMC, were reported previously to have an antiprotozoal effect against the Cryptosporidium parvum infection in mice ( 44 ). In this study, the anticoccidial effect of SMC was investigated in poultry for the first time and compared to diclazuril's anticoccidial activity.…”

Hepatosplenic Protective Actions of Spirulina platensis and Matcha Green Tea Against Schistosoma mansoni Infection in Mice via Antioxidative and Anti-inflammatory Mechanisms

“…Of note, a natural antioxidant and herbal medications are being evaluated. Recently, increased attention has been paid to the use of herbal medications as remedies for various parasitic diseases (7)(8)(9)(10). Spirulina platensis (SP) is a natural spiral-shaped, multicellular photosynthetic, bluegreen microalga (Cyanobacterium).…”