Dose-response inhibition of proteolytic activity by a cysteine protease inhibitor in a murine model of fasciolosis

Parasitol Res. 2006 Apr;98(5):438-42. doi: 10.1007/s00436-005-0046-2. Epub 2006 Jan 6.

Abstract

Using the film in situ zymography (FIZ) technique, it has been demonstrated that N-[N-(L: -3-trans-carboxyoxirane-2-carbonyl)-L: -leucyl]-agmatine (E-64) inhibits Fasciola hepatica proteolytic activity in vivo. The aim of this study was to establish the dose-response relationship of the inhibition of proteolysis as assessed by FIZ with E-64 at different dosages in a murine model of fasciolosis. Maximum effective inhibition of proteolysis was achieved at 50 mg/kg/day (87%). Mice treated with this dose survived for a mean of 10.92 days more than untreated controls, and their ova counts and egg viability were significantly (P<0.05) lower than this latter group. These results indicate that intraperitoneal administration of E-64 not only inhibited liver proteolytic activity in a dose-dependent manner but also produced anti-fecundity and anti-embryonation effects, delaying the progression of fasciolosis. Yet, residual proteolysis may suggest that other E-64-non-sensitive enzymes are involved, or that E-64-enzyme chemical interactions are only capable of a partial agonistic-like effect.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Survival
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / administration & dosage
  • Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Fasciola hepatica / drug effects*
  • Fasciola hepatica / enzymology
  • Fascioliasis / drug therapy*
  • Fascioliasis / parasitology
  • Fertility
  • Injections, Intraperitoneal
  • Leucine / administration & dosage
  • Leucine / analogs & derivatives*
  • Leucine / pharmacology
  • Liver / parasitology
  • Mice
  • Parasite Egg Count
  • Survival Analysis

Substances

  • Cysteine Proteinase Inhibitors
  • Cysteine Endopeptidases
  • Leucine
  • E 64