Background Cholestasis is the major cause of bile acid accumulation leading to liver damage. Chronic infection of worms can modulate the immune response towards T helper (Th)2-related cytokines. The present study aims to evaluate the protective impact of an ascarid nematode Toxocara vitulorum extract (TvE) against alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholangitis male wistar rat model compared to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) as a standard drug. Results Pretreatment with TvE and/or UDCA induced a marked reduction in the levels of liver function tests and malondialdehyde, while antioxidant markers were increased compared to cholestatic rats. Pretreatment with either TvE or combination before cholangitis induction attenuated the predominant Th1-related cytokines (IFN-γ and TNF-α) to Th2 (IL-13 and IL-10). TvE administration promoted higher expression levels of Bcl-2 protein and lower levels of caspase-3 compared to cholestatic rats. Conclusions Treatment with TvE has improved the liver functions and elevated the levels of oxidative stress markers. The upregulation of Th2-related cytokines and suppression of apoptosis through caspase-3 might be considered as a potential mechanism of TvE. Thereby, this natural extract revealed an opportunity for use in treatment of cholangitis disease.

中文翻译：

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箭毒蛔虫提取物对α-萘基异硫氰酸酯诱导的大鼠胆管炎的保护作用

背景 胆汁淤积是导致肝损伤的胆汁酸积累的主要原因。蠕虫的慢性感染可以调节对 T 辅助 (Th)2 相关细胞因子的免疫反应。本研究旨在评估蛔虫线虫 Toxocara vitulorum 提取物 (TvE) 与作为标准药物的熊去氧胆酸 (UDCA) 相比，对 α-萘基异硫氰酸酯 (ANIT) 诱导的胆管炎雄性 wistar 大鼠模型的保护作用。结果与胆汁淤积大鼠相比，用 TvE 和/或 UDCA 预处理可显着降低肝功能测试和丙二醛的水平，而抗氧化标志物则增加。在胆管炎诱导前用 TvE 或联合治疗将主要的 Th1 相关细胞因子（IFN-γ 和 TNF-α）减弱为 Th2（IL-13 和 IL-10）。与胆汁淤积大鼠相比，TvE 给药促进了 Bcl-2 蛋白的更高表达水平和 caspase-3 的更低水平。结论 TvE 治疗改善了肝功能并提高了氧化应激标志物的水平。Th2 相关细胞因子的上调和通过 caspase-3 抑制细胞凋亡可能被认为是 TvE 的潜在机制。因此，这种天然提取物揭示了用于治疗胆管炎疾病的机会。