Apoptosis-related gene expressions in hamsters re-infected with Opisthorchis viverrini and re-treated with praziquantel.
Our objective was to reveal whether host immune response in hamster opisthorchiasis post-praziquantel treatment could induce apoptotic cell death in inflammatory cells. We, therefore, investigated apoptosis-related gene expression in hamsters re-infected with Opisthorchis viverrini (OV) and re-treated with praziquantel. Hamsters were re-infected with OV metacercariae then re-treated with praziquantel. The expression of apoptosis-related genes (i.e. apoptosis gene Bcl-2 associated protein X [BAX], caspase 9, p53 and protein kinase B [PKB]) was detected by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Histopathological analyses of liver tissues were performed by staining the sections with haematoxylin and eosin using light microscopy. The results show that BAX, Akt/PKB, p53 and caspase 9 expression levels were significantly increased on day 30 post-infection and at 6 h post-treatment and gradually decreased to a level near the uninfected control and at 24 h post-treatment, perhaps because of a decrease in inflammatory cells. Apoptotic cell death was observed at the nuclei of epithelial cells of the bile ducts and of T cells. Our results suggest that repeated infection with OV and re-treatment with praziquantel induces a host immune response that increases inflammatory cells, which in turn leads to increase, apoptosis-related gene expression in the short term post-treatment.
Boonmars
T
T
Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, 40002, Thailand. boonmars@yahoo.com
Srisawangwong
T
T
Srirach
P
P
Kaewsamut
B
B
Pinlaor
S
S
Sithithaworn
P
P
D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D001652:Bile Ducts / Q000166:cytology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D006224:Cricetinae; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology*; D009889:Opisthorchiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D009891:Opisthorchis; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000871:Anthelmintics; D011223:Praziquantel