Dexamethasone treatment improves morphological and hematological parameters in chronic experimental schistosomiasis

Parasitol Res. 2004 Apr;92(6):478-83. doi: 10.1007/s00436-004-1078-8. Epub 2004 Mar 4.

Abstract

Schistosomiasis, a chronic disease with considerable social impact, is an important health problem in many countries. To investigate the possible use of immunomodulators as coadjuvants in the treatment of chronic Schistosoma mansoni infection, we evaluated the effect of dexamethasone on histological, hematological, and biochemical parameters that reflect disease severity and morbidity. Animals treated from the first day or after 35 days of infection, were analyzed. In both groups, dexamethasone: (1) induced a decrease in the number of granulomas in hepatic tissue without affecting the alanine aminotransferase profile, (2) reduced splenomegaly and hepatomegaly associated with disease, and (3) improved hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit values and reduced the percentage of reticulocytes, preventing the development of anemia that occurs in the chronic phase of infection. These data suggest that treatment with dexamethasone results in a mild course of murine schistosomiasis and point to this drug as a promising agent to complement S. mansoni specific treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / blood
  • Anemia / parasitology
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Dexamethasone / pharmacology
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Granuloma / drug therapy
  • Granuloma / pathology
  • Hematocrit
  • Hemoglobins / analysis
  • Hepatomegaly / drug therapy
  • Hepatomegaly / pathology
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Liver Diseases, Parasitic / blood
  • Liver Diseases, Parasitic / drug therapy
  • Liver Diseases, Parasitic / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Reticulocyte Count
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / blood
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / drug therapy*
  • Schistosomiasis mansoni / pathology
  • Splenomegaly / drug therapy
  • Splenomegaly / pathology

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Hemoglobins
  • Dexamethasone
  • Alanine Transaminase