title: In vitro effect of sodium arsenite on Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces.
abstract: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by the metacestodes of Echinococcus granulosus is an important cosmopolitan zoonosis. Surgery is the main treatment option for CE. Meanwhile, chemotherapy is used as an significant adjunct to surgery. However, the benzimidazole carbamate group and the existing scolicidal agents may not be as effective as hoped. In this study, we aimed to explore the in vitro effect of sodium arsenite (NaAsO2) on Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces, the causative agents of CE. Protoscoleces of E. granulosus were incubated in vitro with 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20μM NaAsO2. Viability and changes in morphology were investigated by 0.1% eosin staining. The ultrastructural alterations were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, caspase-3 activity was measured by colorimetric assay. Obvious protoscolicidal effect was seen with NaAsO2 at concentrations of 16μM and 20μM. Protoscolex mortality was 83.24% (16μM) and 100% (20μM) after 6 days post-incubation. SEM showed that the primary site of drug damage was the tegument of the protoscoleces. TEM analysis demonstrated that the internal tissues were severely affected and revealed an increase in the number of lipid droplets and vacuoles after treatment with 16μM NaAsO2. Meanwhile, the caspase-3 activity significantly increased in protoscoleces after 24h of NaAsO2 incubation compared to the untreated controls. Our study demonstrated the clear in vitro scolicidal effect of NaAsO2 against E. granulosus protoscoleces. However, the in vivo efficacy, specific mechanism, and any possible side effects of NaAsO2 remain to be investigated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Guoqiang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicin, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Tai'an Municipal Central Hospital, Taian, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Chunli
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Zhuo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicin, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Hongjuan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Rentan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicin, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China.
authors.forename: Wenjuan
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicin, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China. Electronic address: yufengjiang03@126.com.
authors.forename: Yufeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China. Electronic address: lvhl1999@126.com.
authors.forename: Hailong
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lv
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018053:Arsenites / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000469:parasitology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D012756:Sheep; D017670:Sodium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D018053:Arsenites; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D017670:Sodium Compounds; C017947:sodium arsenite; D053148:Caspase 3
keywords: Echinococcus granulosus; In vitro; Protoscoleces; Sodium arsenite