S. Sanchez-campos et al., Oxidative stress and changes in liver antioxidant enzymes induced by experimental dicroceliosis in hamsters, PARASIT RES, 85(6), 1999, pp. 468-474
The purpose of our study was to assess the effects of experimental dicrocel
iosis on the antioxidant defense capability of the liver in hamsters. Studi
es were carried out at 80 and 120 days after infection with an oral dose of
40 metacercariae of Dicrocoelium dendriticum. The parasitic pathology was
ascertained by the presence of fluke eggs in feces, increased serum ALT and
AST activities. and histological findings. The concentration of thiobarbit
uric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and the ratio of oxidized to reduced
glutathione (GSSG/GSH), measured as markers of oxidative stress, were signi
ficantly increased [TBARS: + 40% and + 84% at 80 and 120 days postinfection
(p.i.), respectively, GSSG/GSH: + 200% and + 117%]. Dicroceliosis increase
d Se-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in both cytosol (+ 24%
and + 46%) and mitochondria (+73% and +41%). Superoxide dismutase activity
was significantly reduced in cytosol (-19% and -38%) and mitochondria (-20
% and -39%). No significant change was found in the activity of Se-independ
ent GPx or catalase. The ratio of glutathione peroxidase/glutathione reduct
ase at 80 and 120 days p.i. was increased by 25% and 63%, respectively. Gam
maglutamyl cysteinyl synthetase activity was increased by 27% and 20%, resp
ectively. Our data indicate that although dicroceliosis courses with activa
tion of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione synthesis, inefficient scavengi
ng of reactive oxygen species takes place, resulting in oxidative liver dam
age.