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In Vivo Study on the Anti-Parasitic Effect of Omeprazole on Cryptosporidium parvum in Mice
Mai A Atallah1, Samy I El-Kowrany1, Omayma K Afifi2
1Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.
Abstract:
Cryptosporidiosis is an important enteric disease, causing diarrhoea and malabsorption similar to Rotavirus and targeting young children and immunocompromised individuals, especially AIDS patients. However, there is a lack of fully effective drugs and vaccines against it. This study was done with the aim of investigating the anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory effects of omeprazole versus nitazoxanide and their combination on Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) infection in immunosuppressed experimental mice. To achieve this aim, histopathological analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), estimation of oocyst shedding and measurement of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels in sera of mice and the optical density of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) immunoreactivity in intestinal tissues were performed. Regarding the results, oocyst shedding showed an obvious reduction with omeprazole more than nitazoxanide. Similar results were detected on both histopathological examination (by haematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-Schiff stains) and SEM with marked improvement in pathology detected in the combination therapy treated group. TNF-α showed reduced levels in the sera of all treated groups indicating a reduction of immunopathology with treatment. Also, the cytoplasmic expression of iNOS in the intestinal epithelium of mice was markedly reduced in all treated groups indicating a reduction of oxidative stress. From these results, omeprazole was found to be superior to nitazoxanide in treating cryptosporidiosis and the use of the two drugs as a combined therapy showed the best results.
Insights
Omeprazole demonstrated superior anti-parasitic effects against Cryptosporidium parvum infection compared to nitazoxanide in mice. Combination therapy yielded the best outcomes, reducing oocyst shedding and inflammation.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cryptosporidiosis is a significant enteric disease causing diarrhea and malabsorption, particularly affecting young children and immunocompromised individuals.
- Current treatments and vaccines for cryptosporidiosis lack full efficacy, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies.
- The study addresses the urgent need for effective interventions against Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory effects of omeprazole and nitazoxanide, individually and in combination, against C. parvum infection.
- To compare the efficacy of omeprazole and nitazoxanide in an experimental model of cryptosporidiosis.
- To evaluate the impact of these treatments on key indicators of infection and inflammation.
Main Methods:
- Experimental cryptosporidiosis was induced in immunosuppressed mice.
- Treatments administered included omeprazole, nitazoxanide, and their combination.
- Efficacy was assessed through histopathological analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), oocyst shedding quantification, serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels, and intestinal inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression.
Main Results:
- Omeprazole significantly reduced oocyst shedding more effectively than nitazoxanide.
- Histopathological and SEM analyses revealed marked improvements in intestinal pathology, especially with combination therapy.
- Reduced serum TNF-α levels and intestinal iNOS expression indicated decreased immunopathology and oxidative stress across all treated groups.
Conclusions:
- Omeprazole exhibits superior efficacy over nitazoxanide in treating experimental cryptosporidiosis.
- Combined therapy with omeprazole and nitazoxanide demonstrated the most significant therapeutic benefits.
- These findings suggest omeprazole as a promising agent for cryptosporidiosis treatment, particularly in combination therapy.
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