title: The influence of hydrocortisone on cellular defence mechanisms of Biomphalaria glabrata.
abstract: Since the internal defense system of mollusks consists of cellular and humoral mechanisms, we examined the role of hydrocortisone in mollusks defense cells and the influence of this steroid on the development of Schistosoma mansoni in its intermediary host. Hydrocortisone had an immunosuppressive action in Biomphalaria glabrata, as reflected in the reduced number of defense cells and the altered cell physiology. Histopathological analysis showed that hydrocortisone facilitated the intramolluscan development of S. mansoni, by reducing the extent of the inflammatory response, seen as a greater number of viable sporocysts with no surrounding hemocytes.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brasil. derese@unicamp.br
authors.forename: Deborah Regina
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Serrano
authors.forename: Eliana Maria
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Zanotti-Magalhaes
authors.forename: Luiz Augusto
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Magalhaes
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ferreira de Carvalho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001700:Biomphalaria / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000469:parasitology; D001772:Blood Cell Count; D001773:Blood Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006458:Hemolymph / Q000187:drug effects; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D033661:Oocysts / Q000187:drug effects; D012550:Schistosoma mansoni / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D006854:Hydrocortisone