Effect of nitazoxanide, artesunate loaded polymeric nano fiber and their combination on experimental cryptosporidiosis

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Abdelhamed E.F.; Fawzy E.M.; Ahmed S.M.; Zalat R.S.; Rashed H.E.
Journal: Iranian Journal of Parasitology
Publisher: Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS)
Publication Date: 24 June 2019
Volume / Issue: Volume 14 / Issue 2
Pages: 240–249
ISSN: 17357020
Scopus: View on Scopus
Document Type: Article
Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access
Authors and Affiliations
Abdelhamed E.F., Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt; Fawzy E.M., Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt; Ahmed S.M., Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt; Zalat R.S., Department of Medical Parasitology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Rashed H.E., Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Sharkia Governorate, Egypt
Abstract
Background: Cryptosporidium parvum is a dangerous intestinal pathogen due to its devastating effect on immunocompromised individuals. Considering low efficacy, high toxicity in addition to the development of resistance for the drugs used, this study aimed to find a new alternative treatment having the advantage of lower doses and minimal toxicity. We used a novel combination between artesunate loaded polymeric nanofiber (ALPN) and nanazoxide that had not been tried yet. Methods: Sixty Swiss Albino mice aged 6–7 wk, weighting 20-24 gm were used in Theodor Bilharz Research Institute (TBRI) Cairo, Egypt in 2017. C. parvum oocysts collected from patients were identified by polymerase chain reaction to be used for infecting animals. The effect of combination between ALPN and nanazoxide were assessed by oocyst count in stool of experimental animals using modified Ziehl- Neelsen stain and histopathological changes in intestinal tissue. Antioxidant activity of nanofiber-loaded artesunate was estimated in serum, renal, hepatic and intestinal tissues by demonstrating the reactive oxygen species and the total antioxidant capacity. It was confirmed by detection of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) antibody. Results: The novel combination between ALPN and nanazoxidehas a harmonizing effect in reducing oocyst shedding (94.4%), the mean value of the antioxidant levels in liver, intestine, kidney, and serum were the highest level (10.15, 22.4, 6.22, 14.08 respectively) resulting in the decrease of oxidative stress in tissues. Marked improvement of histopathological features was obtained. Conclusion: This combination has a promising therapeutic effect against cryptosporidiosis particularly in immunocompromised individuals considering minor toxicity. © 2019, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). All rights reserved.
Keywords
Artesunate; Cryptosporidium; Oxidative stress; Polymeric nanofiber; antioxidant; dexamethasone sodium phosphate; inducible nitric oxide synthase; macrogol; nanofiber; nitazoxanide; reactive oxygen metabolite; animal experiment; animal tissue; antioxidant activity; Article; cell count; colorimetry; controlled study; cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium parvum; DNA extraction; drug blood level; drug delivery system; drug dose reduction; electrospinning; feces analysis; field emission scanning electron microscopy; histopathology; immunohistochemistry; immunosuppressive treatment; intestine tissue; kidney tissue; liver cell; mouse; nonhuman; oocyst; real time polymerase chain reaction
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 19
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