Effect of polyclonal B-lymphocyte activation and Schistosoma mansoni infection on splenic B-glucuronidase enzyme in mice

ABSTRACT

The effect of stimulation of spleen cells on the B-glucuronidase [BG] activity, in mice was investigated. The study was performed on 4 groups of mice LPS group [150 micro g/mice], Schistosoma mansoni group, LPS and S.mansoni and control group. In the LPS group the maximum increase in BG activity was observed after one week of infection; it dropped to the normal level after two weeks and remained so till the fourth week. In the S.mansoni group, the maximum BG activity was obtained after one week of infection; it gradually decreased in the subsequent weeks, but remained at levels significantly higher than normal. In the LPS and S.mansoni group, the levels of the BG activity were similar to those of the LPS group except that after four weeks, the activity became significantly higher than the normal level. The relative changes in B-lymphocytes in the spleen [as demonstrated by immunofluorescent technique] were in agreement with BG findings. It could be concluded that activation of BC enzyme after stimulation of immunocompetent cells is a consequence of their proliferation and is not antigen specific. This can be a part of the host defence against offending pathogens