Histopathological, ultra-structural and histochemical studies on the liver of schistosoma mansoni infected mice under the effect of triclabendazole

ABSTRACT

The present work investigated the effect of the fasciolicidal drug triclabendazole [TCBZ] on the liver of S. mansoni infected mice. The drug was given to normal as well as to S. mansoni infected mice. The work included histopathological, ultra-structural and histochemical studies. In the normal liver TCBZ induced the formation of scanty foci of inflammatory infiltrate. No changes were observed at the subcellular level or in the hepatocytes enzymes succinic dehydrogenase [SDH] and acid phosphatase [ACP]. The liver of S. mansoni infected mice revealed the classical histopathological picture of schistosomiasis. After TCBZ treatment, the granulomata involuted revealing fibrous transformation. The ultrastructural of hepatocytes of S. mansoni infected mice revealed distortion of the mitochondria, increased number of lysosomes and obliteration of Disse space. These electron microscopic [EM] changes were less obvious after TCBZ therapy denoting improvement of the hepatocellular insufficiency. Histochemically, an increase in ACP and a decrease in SDH activity were observed in S. mansoni infected liver. The activity of these enzymes returned to normal after treatment with TCBZ. It could be concluded that TCBZ has no direct toxic effect on the hepatocytes. In experimental schistosomiasis TCBZ improved the liver pathology and enzymatic activity of the hepatocytes