Effect of colchicine on hepatic glycosaminoglycan metabolism in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum
Abstract
AIM: To study the effect of colchicine on hepatic glycosaminoglycan (GAG) metabolism in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum.
METHODS: The amount of GAG was measured in the liver of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum for 6-16 wk and treated with colchicine.
RESULTS: Six weeks after infection, the GAG content of infected mice's livers and uninfected control was 14 +/- 2 micrograms/g liver and 4 +/- 1 microgram/g liver, respectively. The GAG content reached a peak about 6 times of the normal level in the 10th wk after infection, being 56 +/- 9 micrograms/g and 10 +/- 1 microgram/g for infected and uninfected mice respectively, and then declined. Treatment of infected mice with colchicine reduced the total GAG content to 22 +/- 3 micrograms/g liver, but not suppress the GAG content below the normal level in the 10th wk. Microscopic hepatic egg granuloma.
CONCLUSION: Colchicine may exerts its GAG reduction effect through the suppression of granuloma formation.
Keywords:
METHODS: The amount of GAG was measured in the liver of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum for 6-16 wk and treated with colchicine.
RESULTS: Six weeks after infection, the GAG content of infected mice's livers and uninfected control was 14 +/- 2 micrograms/g liver and 4 +/- 1 microgram/g liver, respectively. The GAG content reached a peak about 6 times of the normal level in the 10th wk after infection, being 56 +/- 9 micrograms/g and 10 +/- 1 microgram/g for infected and uninfected mice respectively, and then declined. Treatment of infected mice with colchicine reduced the total GAG content to 22 +/- 3 micrograms/g liver, but not suppress the GAG content below the normal level in the 10th wk. Microscopic hepatic egg granuloma.
CONCLUSION: Colchicine may exerts its GAG reduction effect through the suppression of granuloma formation.