title: Nanoencapsulated curcumin and praziquantel treatment reduces periductal fibrosis and attenuates bile canalicular abnormalities in Opisthorchis viverrini-infected hamsters.
abstract: This study investigated the effects of nanoencapsulated curcumin (NEC) and praziquantel (PZQ) treatment on the resolution of periductal fibrosis (PDF) and bile canalicular (BC) abnormalities in Opisthorchis viverrini infected hamsters. Chronic O. viverrini infection (OV) was initially treated with either PZQ (OP) and subsequently treated with NEC (OP+NEC), curcumin (OP+Cur) or unloaded carriers (OP+carrier) daily for one month. OP+NEC treatment reduced the PDF by suppression of fibrotic markers (hydroxyproline content, α-SMA, CTGF, fibronectin, collagen I and III), cytokines (TGF-β and TNF-α) and TIMP-1, 2, 3 expression and upregulation of MMP-7, 13 genes. Higher activity of NEC in reducing fibrosis compared to curcumin was also demonstrated in in vitro studies. Moreover, OP+NEC also prevented BC abnormalities and upregulated several genes involved in bile acid metabolism. These results demonstrate that NEC and PZQ treatment reduces PDF and attenuates BC defect in experimental opisthorchiasis. From the Clinical Editor: Infection by Opisthorchis viverrini leads to liver fibrosis and affects population in SE Asia. Currently, praziquantel (PZQ) is the drug of choice but this drug has significant side effects. In this study, the authors combined curcumin (NEC) and praziquantel in a nanocarrier to test the anti-oxidative effect of curcumin in an animal model. The encouraging results may pave a way for better treatment in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Lakhanawan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Charoensuk
authors.affiliation: Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Centre for Research and Development in Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Porntip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pinlaor
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Supason
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wanichwecharungruang
authors.affiliation: Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Biomedical Science Program, Graduate School, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kitti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Intuyod
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kulthida
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Vaeteewoottacharn
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Apisit
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chaidee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Puangrat
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Yongvanit
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chawalit
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pairojkul
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Science and Technology, Suan Dusit Rajabhat University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Natthakitta
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Suwannateep
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Liver Fluke and Cholangiocarcinoma Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. Electronic address: psomec@kku.ac.th.
authors.forename: Somchai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pinlaor
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry; D001648:Bile Canaliculi / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D006224:Cricetinae; D003474:Curcumin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D004058:Diffusion; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D053769:Nanocapsules / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009889:Opisthorchiasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011223:Praziquantel / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004338:Drug Combinations; D053769:Nanocapsules; D011223:Praziquantel; D003474:Curcumin
keywords: Bile canalicular abnormalities; Nanoencapsulated curcumin; Opisthorchis viverrini; Periductal fibrosis; Praziquantel