ABSTRACT
Schistosoma mansoni is one of the most prevalent causes of liver fibrosis in Egypt. Liver fibrosis is the result of an imbalance between synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix proteins of the liver. This progressive process is mainly characterized by activation of hepatic stellate cells [HSCs]. Colchicine is a well known drug used for treating liver fibrosis, however higher doses cannot be used due to its toxicity. Silymarin is a natural acknowledged hepatoprotector used in humans to treat liver diseases. The aim of this work was to evaluate the antifibrotic effects of colchicine [when given alone or combined with Silymarin] on liver of schistosomal infected mice model, treated with antibilharzial drug [Mirazid]. Ninety mice were divided into 6 groups [15/group], the first served as non-infected control and the second as infected control. The infected mice of the 3[rd], 4[th], 5[th] and 6[th] groups were given mirazid, mirazid and colchicine, mirazid and Silymarin and mirazid, colchicine and Silymarin respectively. Histological [Light and Electron microscopical analysis] and biochemical tools were used. The current work showed that best results were achieved in group of animals treated with mirazid and administered combined colchicine and Silymarin. Electron microscope examination showed HSCs returned to approximately resting phase. Hepatocytes revealed normal appearing picture with normally seen microvilli surface. This was confirmed by light microscopic examination. Biochemical analysis of some liver functions [Total proteins, albumin, GGT, ALP and LDH], was in parallel with the histological results. We concluded that activation of HSCs may play a key role in the progress of Schistosoma induced hepatic fibrosis, and the use of Silymarin, colchicine combined with antibilharzial drug reduces this activation