OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the role of mast cells (MC) activation in the jejunal mucous membrane in the pathogenesis of cryptosporidiosis (CPS) and explore the mechanism of prevention and treatment of radix sophorae flavescetis(RSF) mixture on CPS. METHODS: A total of 30 healthy male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a normal control group, CPS model control group and RSF mixture experimental group. The mice of CPS model were inoculated intragastrically with 1 x 10(5) Cryptosporidium oocyst (CSO). The mice in the RSF mixture experimental group were treated with inoculation of RSF mixture (0.2 ml doses) twice one week for three weeks continuously after CPS models were established. Pathological changes of the jejunal mucosa membrane were observed by a light microscope. The MCs were stained by toluidine blue, the number of mast cells was recorded and the changes of degranulation were observed. RESULTS: The HE staining showed inflammatory pathological changes in the jejunal mucosa membrane of the CPS model control group. After three-week treatment of RSF mixture, the small intestine epithelium was integrated on the whole. The toluidine blue stain showed the number of mast cell in submucosa and muscular layer of the jejunal mucous membrane increased significantly in the model control group (12.80 +/- 0.84) compared with those of the normal control group (1.60 +/- 0.89) (P < 0.01) and an obvious degranulation was seen in the CPS model control group. The number of mast cells of the mice in the RSF mixture experimental group decreased significantly (P < 0.01) and the number (2.00 +/- 0.71) and morphous were closed to the normal after administration for three weeks. CONCLUSIONS: MC activation is involved in the intestinal inflammatory response caused by Cryptosporidium. RSF mixture could decline the number of MC, inhibit the activation and degranulation of MC in the jejunal mucosa membrane of CPS mice to reduce inflammation and repair the damaged intestinal mucosa, which may realize the purpose of treatment of CPS.
OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the role of mast cells (MC) activation in the jejunal mucous membrane in the pathogenesis of cryptosporidiosis (CPS) and explore the mechanism of prevention and treatment of radix sophorae flavescetis(RSF) mixture on CPS. METHODS: A total of 30 healthy male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into a normal control group, CPS model control group and RSF mixture experimental group. The mice of CPS model were inoculated intragastrically with 1 x 10(5) Cryptosporidium oocyst (CSO). The mice in the RSF mixture experimental group were treated with inoculation of RSF mixture (0.2 ml doses) twice one week for three weeks continuously after CPS models were established. Pathological changes of the jejunal mucosa membrane were observed by a light microscope. The MCs were stained by toluidine blue, the number of mast cells was recorded and the changes of degranulation were observed. RESULTS: The HE staining showed inflammatory pathological changes in the jejunal mucosa membrane of the CPS model control group. After three-week treatment of RSF mixture, the small intestine epithelium was integrated on the whole. The toluidine blue stain showed the number of mast cell in submucosa and muscular layer of the jejunal mucous membrane increased significantly in the model control group (12.80 +/- 0.84) compared with those of the normal control group (1.60 +/- 0.89) (P < 0.01) and an obvious degranulation was seen in the CPS model control group. The number of mast cells of the mice in the RSF mixture experimental group decreased significantly (P < 0.01) and the number (2.00 +/- 0.71) and morphous were closed to the normal after administration for three weeks. CONCLUSIONS: MC activation is involved in the intestinal inflammatory response caused by Cryptosporidium. RSF mixture could decline the number of MC, inhibit the activation and degranulation of MC in the jejunal mucosa membrane of CPSmice to reduce inflammation and repair the damaged intestinal mucosa, which may realize the purpose of treatment of CPS.