Establishment and characterization of cell lines from liver fluke-associated cholangiocarcinoma induced in a hamster model.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a relatively rare tumor that occurs primarily in tropical countries and particularly in those with a high incidence of liver fluke infection. A hamster model for a liver fluke-associated CCA has been described previously. In the present study, hamster cholangiocarcinoma cell lines were established and characterized in order to obtain information regarding diagnostically useful tumor marker which could shed light for a future investigation for human cholangiocarcinoma. Two related cell lines, one from the original intrahepatic bile duct tumor and one from an allotransplanted tumor, were established. The established cell lines were found to have population doubling times of 31 and 26 hours respectively, and were maintained in Ham's F12 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum for over 80 passages. The cell monolayers were subjected to scanning and transmission electron microscopic study and found to have ultrastructural characteristics, including cytoplasmic lumens, consistent with those of adenocarcinoma cells of epithelial origin. An immunoperoxidase study using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for tumor antigens showed the cytoplasm and membrane of both cell lines to be positive. These antigens were also secreted in soluble form into the culture medium, judging from polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of SDS and from immunoblot analyses. Different lines of evidence presented suggested that a 200 kDa glycoprotein produced and secreted by the tumor cell lines could be considered a cholangiocarcinoma-associated marker which has diagnostic potential.

Development of immune-complex glomerulonephritis and amyloidosis in Syrian golden hamsters infected with Opisthorchis viverrini.

Renal disease associated with Opisthorchis viverrini infection was investigated in Syrian golden hamsters. On the fourth week after infection with 100 viable metacercariae; anti-tegumental membrane antibodies were detected in the sera by immunofluorescence antibody technic and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Six weeks after infection tegumental and anti-tegumental membrane immune-complex and amyloid fibrils were found in the glomeruli. Amyloid was characterized to be AA protein. Acute proliferative glomerulonephritis associated with the brightest immune-complex deposits developed in week 8 after infection. Intensity of immune-complexes in all glomeruli were reduce gradually thereafter and replaced by amyloid. Progressive obsolescence of the glomeruli, tubular atrophy, interstitial inflammation and fibrosis associated with massive proteinuria and deterioration of renal function appeared in week 10 after infection toward the end of the experiment in week 38 after infection.

Increased efficacy of liposomes-encapsulated praziquantel in treatment of opisthorchiasis in hamsters.

An increased efficacy of liposomes-encapsulated praziquantel was observed in the treatment of hamster opisthorchiasis. A single intracardial dose of 1.5 mg/kg of encapsulated praziquantel is as effective as an intracardial dose of 30 mg/kg or an oral dose of 100 mg/kg of free praziquantel. The suppressing activity of both free and liposomes-encapsulated praziquantel significantly decrease as the infection times increase from 1 to 5 weeks, suggesting that the young liver flukes are more susceptible to praziquantel than the adult flukes.

Liver collagen in Opisthorchis viverrini infected hamsters following praziquantel treatment.

The dose of praziquantel required to achieve a 100% worm reduction in O. viverrini infected hamsters was found to be 300 mg/kg body weight. The drug was administered orally for 1 day by dividing a total dose into 3 equal doses at 4 h interval. The effect of praziquantel treatment on liver collagen was followed by measuring liver collagen content in at various intervals after administration of the drug. A decrease in collagen content in the infected livers occurred within a few weeks following the treatment suggesting a recovery from liver fibrosis.