Effects of Lactobacillus sporogenes (probiotic material) oral administration (12.5 million spore/mice/week for eight weeks from the first day of infection) and /or Praziquantel (PZQ) treatment (300mg/Kg one dose seven weeks post infection) on chromosomal aberrations and DNA fragmentation in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice were studied. The present data showed a significant induction (P< 0.05) in both numerical and structural chromosomal aberrations (chromatid deletion, fragmentation, chromosomal ring, centric fusion, centromeric attenuation, end to end association, break and chromatid gap) in Schistosoma mansoni infected group, and PZQ treated infected or non-infected groups when compared with normal mice. Administration of Lactobacillus sporogenes showed a significant reduction in chromosomal aberrations induced by infection or PZQ treatment. Using gel electrophoresis, both liver and spleen, DNA fragmentation (apoptosis) increased in mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni and non-infected mice treated with PZQ. Lactobacillus sporogenes administration decreased DNA damage induced by infection. It can be concluded that administration of Lactobacillus sporogenes accompanied with PZQ treatment reduces the chromosomal aberrations and DNA damage caused by schistosomiasis and PZQ treatment.
Key words: Schistosoma mansoni, PZQ, Lactobacillus sporogenes, Chromosomal aberrations, DNA damage and Apoptosis.
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