Background: The immune response against Trichinella spiralis results in a mixed cytokine state and nitric
oxide (NO) production. Albendazole (ALB) influences the oxidative status and cytokine profile of the host,
in addition to its direct action on the parasite β-tubulin.
Objective: The current study was designed to assess the effect of the NO donor, L-arginine, on the muscular
phase of experimental trichinosis in mice with and without ALB administration.
Material and Methods: The study included five groups (G); negative non-infected control group (G1);
positive infected non-treated control group (G2); ALB-treated group (G3); L-arginine-treated group < br />(G4); and combined ALB and L-arginine regimen group (G5). Study parameters included larval count,
histopathological changes, and NO synthase (iNOS) immunohistochemical expression in skeletal muscle
and heart during the muscular phase. Gene expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),
interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and β-tubulin, as well as NO production were evaluated by quantitative real time
PCR (RT-qPCR).
Results: L-arginine resulted in a significant increase in tissue iNOS expression and serum NO levels, in
addition to the increase in TNF and INF gene expression. Albendazole, on the other hand, was found to
decrease local tissue expression of iNOS and serum NO in infected mice, whereas gene expression levels
of TNF and IFN were elevated.
Conclusion: Nitric oxide homeostasis is vital to the infection outcome and regeneration during muscular
trichinosis. Albendazole exerts immunomodulatory effects in addition to its direct anti-parasitic action on
T. spiralis.