A high-fat diet and schistosomiasis mansoni cause histological changes in mice livers

Introduction: Human and animal studies have shown that schistosomiasis protects against metabolic diseases such as dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis and diabetes. However, less is known about the effects of a high-fat diet on hepatic architecture, formation and composition of granulomas in acute schistosomiasis mansoni. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice fed high-fat (60% fat) chow or standard (10% fat) chow for 13 weeks were infected with 80 Schistosoma mansoni cercariae. The mice were assigned into four groups: uninfected fed standard (SC), high-fat chow (HFC), infected fed standard (ISC) and high-fat chow (IHFC). Blood lipid concentrations (cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, VLDL, HDL), oral glucose tolerance test, body mass gain, liver mass and intestinal parasiteegg counting (oogram), cellular composition, percentage of inflammatory infiltrates and morphometric features (area and perimeter) of liver granulomaswere measured. The volumetric density of hepatocytes, steatosis, sinusoids, necrosis and hepatic fibrosis were estimated by using stereology. Results: IHFC mice showed lower blood lipid levels, biometrics, improved glucose tolerance and less steatosis compared to control mice (HFC). The IHFC group showed larger granulomas, predominance of polymorphonuclear cells and rich inflammatory infiltration, binucleated hepatocytes and histopathological changes more severe than ISC. Conclusion: Although acute schistosomiasis reduces the effects of a high-fat diet on the host's metabolism, it induces damage to liver architecture.  