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.