Egyptian Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology

Egyptian Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology
Vol. 7 (2017), Issue 2, pp. 81-89 
doi:10.32527/2017/101428

Hepatoprotective Effects of Simvastatin in a Model of Hepatitis on Top of Schistosomaisis

Hepatitis C infection on top of schistosomiasis is prevalent in Egypt and the available hepatoprotective drugs are not sufficient. So, this study aimed to explore hepatoprotective effect of simvastatin. Induction of hepatitis model on top of schistosomiasis was done by injection of mice with Dgalactosamine after schistosome infestation. We used 40 mice, 10 were non-infected while 30 were injected with D-galactosamine after infestation with schistosomemansoni divided into; non-treated, simvastatin-treated, and combined simvastatin&praziquantel treated. Simvastatin-treated mice showed spastic appearance of oral and ventral suckers of worms. It also showed shortening of tubercles and decreased number of the spines. These findings were associated witha reductioninovideposition of the worms in the liver and decrease of the fibrous component of the liver granuloma and mitigation of necro-inflammatory reaction in the liver. Combination of simvastatin with praziquantel produced more pronounced hepatoprotective effect. The hepatoprotective effect was associated with lowering of IL-10 levels. So simvastatin could be added topraziquantelfor treatment of hepatitis on top of schistosomiasisas both drugs affect the worm viability and the ova deposition while simvastatin has an additional anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic and immunomodulatory effects throughIL-10. Further clinical assessments are required.