Non-encapsulated Trichinella spp., T. papuae, diminishes severity of DSS-induced colitis in mice

Helminths use various mechanisms to avoid host immunity and protect themselves from being eliminated. Despite evading host immune responses, immunosuppression and regulation mechanisms elicit functions that diminish the adverse effects of unrelated inflammatory diseases. We investigated whether helminthic infections can ameliorate inflammatory diseases. Mice were infected with Trichinella papuae and then subjected to induced colitis through the oral administration of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS). Macroscopic and microscopic examinations measured weight loss, stool consistency, gross bleeding, colon length, and tissue inflammation. In addition, cytokine expression was observed in colon tissue by SYBR real-time RT-PCR to investigate the Th1, Th2, and regulatory cytokines. The results showed that T. papuae infection decreased the severity of DSS-inducedcolitis, including weight loss, bloody diarrhea, shortening of colon, and colon tissue damage in mice (p