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• Mesenchymal stem cells have potential immunosuppressive and regenerative properties.

• Researchers investigated whether transplantation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells could be used to control the granulomatous reaction in the liver of mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni after Praziquantel treatment.

• Granulomatous reaction is a distinctive pattern of chronic inflammation characterized by nodular clustering of inflammatory cells, predominantly activated macrophages.

• Schistosoma mansoni is a species of trematode worm that parasitizes humans and that causes liver and gastrointestinal tract disease.

• Praziquantel is in a class of medications called anthelmintic and works by killing the worms.

• Schistosomiasis is the second most widespread parasitic disease in the world and is caused by the Schistosoma trematode.

• Schistosomiasis is characterized by a granulomatous reaction around parasite eggs trapped in the tissues.

• Schistosomiasis occurs when skin comes in contact with contaminated freshwater in which certain types of snails that carry the parasite are living.

• Schistosomiasis symptoms include rash or itchy skin, fever, chills, cough, and muscle aches.

• The liver is one of the most affected organs and can develop severe scarring of connective tissue.

• Praziquantel is the treatment for schistosomiasis and kills the adult worm.

• After the Praziquantel treatment, inflammation still persists around the eggs in the tissues.

• Mesenchymal stem cells have been extensively studied as an alternative therapy to repair tissues and to stop inflammation.

• Mesenchymal stem cells have the potential to differentiate in several cells types, and to interfere with immune responses.

• Researchers were motivated to investigate the use of mesenchymal stem cells extract from adipose tissue associated with Praziquantel to treat schistosomiasis.

• Mice were treated with Praziquantel followed by adipose tissue-derived stem cells injection.

• The results show significant reduction of the granulomas and normal levels of the enzyme alanine aminotransferase.

• Alanine aminotransferase test is a blood test used to check for liver damage.

• These results suggest that adipose tissue-derived stem cells has the potential to be used as a new therapeutic approach to control inflammation following infection by S. mansoni or liver disorders.

• Further studies using the chronic model of schistosomiasis are required to confirm using adipose tissue-derived stem cells for schistosomiasis therapy.

Sources:

Miranda VHS, Gomes TR, Eller DE, Ferraz LdCN, Chaves AT, Bicalho KA, et al. (2020) Liver damage in schistosomiasis is reduced by adipose tissue-derived stem cell therapy after praziquantel treatment. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 14(8): e0008635. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0008635

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-540-93842-2_27

https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5415

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a608048.html

https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/schistosomiasis/disease.html

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/alanine-aminotransferase-test#1

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