Effects of the probiotic Bacillus cereus GM on experimental schistosomiasis mansoni.

Probiotics contribute to the integrity of the intestinal mucosa and preventing dysbiosis caused by opportunistic pathogens, such as intestinal helminths. Bacillus cereus GM obtained from Biovicerin® was cultured to obtain spores for in vivo evaluation on experimental schistosomiasis. The assay was performed for 90 days, where all animals were infected with 50 cercariae of Schistosoma mansoni on the 15th day. Three experimental groups were formed, as follows: G1-saline solution from the 1st until the 90th day; G2-B. cereus GM (105 spores in 300 µL of sterile saline) from the 1st until the 90th day; and G3-B. cereus GM 35th day (onset of oviposition) until the 90th day. G2 showed a significant reduction of 43.4% of total worms, 48.8% of female worms and 42.5% of eggs in the liver tissue. In G3, the reduction was 25.2%, 29.1%, and 44% of the total number of worms, female worms, and eggs in the liver tissue, respectively. G2 and G3 showed a 25% (p < 0.001) and 22% (p < 0.001) reduction in AST levels, respectively, but ALT levels did not change. ALP levels were reduced by 23% (p < 0.001) in the G2 group, but not in the G3. The average volume of granulomas reduced (p < 0.0001) 65.2% and 46.3% in the liver tissue and 83.0% and 53.2% in the intestine, respectively, in groups G2 and G3. Th1 profile cytokine (IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-6) and IL-17 were significantly increased (p < 0.001) stimulated with B. cereus GM in groups G2 and G3. IL-4 showed significant values when the stimulus was mediated by ConA. By modulating the immune response, B. cereus GM reduced the burden of worms, improved some markers of liver function, and reduced the granulomatous inflammatory reaction in mice infected with S. mansoni, especially when administered before infection.

Extract from Ascaris suum and N-acetyl-L-cysteine induces an immunosuppressant effect in model of autoimmune hepatitis.

BACKGROUND: Extract of adult Ascaris suum (ASC) worms attenuated the liver damage in experimental autoimmune hepatitis (EAH) with induction of Th2 immune response, but fibrosis occurred. N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) has protective effects against liver fibrosis. OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the association ASC + NAC on the T- and B-cell activation, inflammation and fibrogenic markers in the liver in EAH. METHODS: Experimental autoimmune hepatitis was induced intravenously with concanavalin A in BALB/c mice. EAH + ASC+NAC group received NAC and ASC; EAH + ASC group received ASC; EAH group received PBS. Doubly labelled CD4+ T (CD28, CTLA-4, CD40L or IL-10) and CD45R+ B lymphocytes (IL-10) and CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ cells were evaluated, along with gene expression of Col1a1, α-SMA, Fizz1, Arg1 and PPAR-γ and histomorphometry. RESULTS: Experimental autoimmune hepatitis group showed high frequency of CD28+ and CD40L+  T lymphocytes, but not the EAH + ASC group. In relation to EAH group, the Fizz1 expression was lower in both groups treated, but Arg1 expression was lower in only EAH + ASC+NAC group. In the EAH + ASC+NAC group, there were higher frequencies of CD4+ IL-10+ and CD4+ CD25+ FoxP3+ cells, but not CD45R+ IL-10+ , along with mitigated inflammation and collagen production. CONCLUSIONS: Ascaris suum favoured immunosuppression in EAH limiting the T cells activation. However, association ASC and NAC was necessary for attenuating the inflammatory process and collagen production.