In vivo therapeutic effects of albendazole in combination with IFN-α on cystic echinococcosis in mice

Abstract

Objective: This study was aimed to evaluate the in vivo therapeutic effects of the combination of ABZ with interferon (IFN)-α on cystic echinococcosis (CE) in mice.

Methods: After 5-month secondary infection with protoscolices, Balb/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: ABZtreated group, IFN-α-treated group, ABZ+IFN-α group and untreated control group. Drugs in different treated groups were respectively administered for 2 months. Blood was respectively taken from caudal veins in mice at treatment time points of 0 d, 7 d, 14 d, 28 d, 36 d, 48 d and 60 d, in order to detect the changes in the level of antibodies in the serum. Mice were then sacrificed after the end of treatment, and related indicators were detected to evaluate the therapeutic effects.

Results: In comparison with untreated control group (p < .01) and ABZ-treated group (p < .05), ABZ+IFN-α group showed a more significant decrease in the number of cysts, cyst size and cyst weight. After transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of the cysts in different treated groups, it was found that, there was an obvious change in cyst ultrastructure in ABZ+IFN-α group. ELISA experimental results showed that, in ABZ+IFN-α group, there was a significant decrease in IL-10 in serums and splenocytes (p < .01); In comparison with untreated control group, ABZ+IFN-α group showed a more significant decrease in the levels of IgE, IgG and its subtypes (p < .01). 

Conclusions: In this study, the combination of ABZ with IFN-α was proved to be an effective CE treatment option.