A Survey on the Adjuvant Role of Naloxone Alone or Combined with Alum in Vaccination Against Fasciolosis in BALB/c Mice.
Acta Parasitol 2019;
64:236-245. [PMID:
30788648 DOI:
10.2478/s11686-019-00030-2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Accepted: 12/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Fasciolosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease imposing a heavy load of livestock losses worldwide.
PURPOSE
We aimed to evaluate immune-stimulatory effects of naloxone (NLX), an opioid receptor antagonist, in combination with alum in mice vaccinated with excretory-secretory antigens (E/S) of Fasciola hepatica.
METHODS
8-week-old female BALB/c mice were subcutaneously vaccinated using E/S antigens of F. hepatica. Experimental groups (14 mice per group) included: vaccine (E/S antigen), alum vaccine (E/S antigen plus alum), NLX vaccine (E/S antigen plus NLX), and alum-NLX vaccine (E/S antigen plus a mixture of alum-NLX). The control group was infused with PBS. Lymphocyte proliferation and the levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IgG2a, IgG1, and total IgG were measured.
RESULTS
Mice vaccinated with NLX or alum-NLX adjuvants showed significantly higher rates of lymphocyte proliferation, IFN-γ, total IgG, and IgG2a levels. The mice that were injected with alum showed a significantly higher concentration of IL-4. Ratios of IFN-γ/Il-4 and IgG2a/IgG1 were significantly higher in the NLX and alum-NLX groups in comparison with the groups vaccinated either with alum or without any adjuvant. A significantly higher protection rate (62.5%) was seen in mice vaccinated with the alum-NLX adjuvant compared to the other groups.
CONCLUSION
NLX can be effective in conferring cellular immunity and protection against F. hepatica. It is recommended to consider this agent as a potential adjuvant in vaccines against fasciolosis.
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