Science and Technology Production
Cytotoxic effects of ivermectin on Giardia lamblia: induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest
Article
Authorship:
BARZOLA, FLORENCIA NICOLE ; LAIOLO, JERÓNIMO ; Cotelo, Camilo ; JORAY, MARIANA BELEN ; Volpini, Ximena ; RIVERO, MARIA ROMINA ; ROPOLO, ANDREA SILVANA ; TOUZ, MARIA CAROLINA ; FELIZIANI, CONSTANZADate:
2024Publishing House and Editing Place:
Frontiers Media SAMagazine:
Frontiers in Microbiology, vol. 15 (pp. 1-14) - ISSN 1664-302XFrontiers Media SA
ISSN:
1664-302XSummary
Introduction: Giardia lamblia is a flagellated protozoan parasite causing giardiasis, a common intestinal infection characterized by diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea. Treatments employed to combat this parasitic infection have remained unchanged for the past 40 years, leading to the emergence of resistant strains and prompting the search for new therapeutic agents.Methods: This study investigated the cytotoxic effects of ivermectin (IVM) on G. lamblia trophozoites. We conducted dose-response experiments to assess IVM-induced cytotoxicity. We utilized various biochemical and ultrastructural analyses to explore the underlying mechanisms of cell death, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, DNA fragmentation, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis markers.Results: Our findings demonstrate that IVM induces dose-dependent cytotoxicity and triggers cell death pathways. We found that IVM treatment generates elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), DNA fragmentation, and arrests of trophozoites in the cell cycle’s S phase. Additionally, ultrastructural analysis reveals morphological alterations consistent with apoptosis, such as cytoplasmic vacuolization, chromatin condensation, and tubulin distribution.Discussion: The insights gained from this study may contribute to developing new therapeutic strategies against giardiasis, addressing the challenge posed by drug-resistant strains.Key Words
GIARDIA LAMBLIAMECHANISMS OF CELL DEATHIVERMECTINGIARDICIDAL COMPOUNDS