Atorvastatin: In-Vivo Synergy with Metronidazole as Anti-Blastocystis Therapy.

Blastocystis is an enteric Straminopile in tropical, subtropical and developing countries. Metronidazole has been a chemotheraputic for blastocystosis. Failures in its regimens were reported and necessitate new studies searching for alternative therapeutic agents. Aim of current study is to investigate potential effects of Atorvastatin (AVA) compared to the conventional chemotherapeutic MTZ in experimentally Blastocystis-infected mice. Anti-Blastocystis efficacy of AVA was evaluated parasitologically, histopathologically and by transmission electron microscopy using MTZ (10 mg/kg) as a control. Therapeutic efficacy of AVA was apparently dose-dependent. Regimens of AVA (20 and 40 mg/kg) proved effective against Blastocystis infections with high reduction in Blastocystis shedding (93.4-97.9%) compared to MTZ (79.3%). The highest reductions (98.1% and 99.4%) were recorded in groups of combination treatments AVA 20-40 mg/kg and MTZ 10 mg/kg. Blastocystis was nearly eradicated by the 20th day post infection. Genotype analysis revealed that genotype I was most susceptible, genotype III was less. Histopathologic and ultrastructural studies revealed apoptotic changes in Blastocystis and significant improvement of intestinal histopathological changes more remarkable in combinational therapy groups. Thus, the present study offers AVA as a potential candidate for Blastocystis therapy combined with MTZ.

INTRODUCTION

Blastocystis is an enteric Straminopile with low host specificity supporting its zoonotic prospect [1]. This parasite had up to 60% incidence in tropical, subtropical and developing countries. Clinical symptoms such as chronic diarrhea, dermal lesions and irritable bowel syndrome was described in patients with Blastocystis infection [2]. Stark et al. [3] suggested some inflammatory changes in chronic Blastocystis infections. Other studies proved that B. hominis induced enteritis and terminal ileitis in infected cases [4,5]. Conventional chemotherapeutics have been used in blastocystosis [6]. Currently, metronidazole is one of the drugs prescribed to human Blastocystis infections [7,8]. However, some failures in its chemotherapeutic regimens were reported [7]. It was suggested it was mutagenic and carcinogenic in children [9,10]. This necessitates further studies searching for alternative therapeutic agents that could either replace or complement metronidazole in treatment of Blastocystis infections. Statins are inhibitors of cholesterol biosynthesis by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA reductase), which is a rate-limiting enzyme of the mevalonate pathway. Thus, they are frequently used as lipid-lowering agents [11]. By inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis, statins obstruct intracellular trafficking by preventing development of isoprenoid (IPP) intermediates [12]. Furthermore, studies suggested that statins protect endothelial barrier integrity through inhibition of Rho kinase (ROCK), HMG-CoA reductase and cysteine protease [13,14]. Reports of rodents’ models suggested Blastocystis affection of intestinal epithelial barrier integrity [15,16]. Also, Blastocystis induced reorganization of host epithelium tight junction complex through ROCK-mediated myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation leading to increased epithelial permeability [14]. During our search through literatures, there were no available reports that Blastocystis is capable of IPP synthesis suggesting that the parasites are completely dependent on host synthesis of these intermediates. Moreover, pretreatment of epithelium by simvastatin prevented Blastocystis-induced epithelial barrier compromise [14].

This dual achievement of statins on epithelial barrier as well as parasite integrity suggests a new promising effect of statins on Blastocystis infections. Consequently, the aim of the current study is to investigate the potential effects of statins (AVA) compared to the conventional chemotheraputic (MTZ) in experimentally infected mice to elucidate whether these findings interpret into an effective treatment option of Blastocystis-resistant intestinal infections.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study which was conducted in the period from January 2016 to July 2017 in the Parasitology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Histology Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.

Fecal samples

Patients complaining of acute or chronic intermittent diarrhea, with or without abdominal pain were obtained from wards and outpatient clinics of the Internal Medicine Department, Cairo University hospitals. All stool samples were collected in clean sterile containers and immediately exposed to direct wet mount, iodine-stained and Giemsa-stained parasitological examination for the presence of Blastocystis or other parasitic infections. From each patient, 3 consecutive stool samples were examined and all patients with other parasitic infections were excluded from the study.

Culture of Blastocystis

Blastocystis isolates obtained from 100 stool samples were employed for culture using Jones’ medium [17]. To which was added 10% horse serum (Invitrogen, Groningen, Netherlands), 100 UI/ml penicillin and 100 μg/ml streptomycin (Sigma-Aldrich, St. Louis, Missouri, USA) at 37°C for 2–3 days. We examined the cultures for Blastocystis every 24 hr using conventional light microscopy and sub-cultures were made for an additional 2–3 days in fresh media. Culture was negative if the organism was absent until the 7th day post-infection (PI). Daily examination of culture for trophozoites/cysts was performed to count number of Blastocystis using hemocytometer and to adjust inoculation dose to 4×107/ml culture medium [18].

Experimental animals

One hundred and twenty Swiss white mice, nearly of the same age (3–4 weeks old) and about 20–25 g each, were laboratory bred under clean conditions to be free of Blastocystis infection which is confirmed by PCR analysis of stool samples according to Parker et al. [19]. They were obtained from experimental house, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University. Before inoculation, viability was assessed using Eosin-brilliant cresyl blue stain (EC) [20], which stained viable cells green and non-viable cells red. Mice were inoculated orally using a 100 μl micropipette (Ultipette, Barky Instruments, Folkestone, Kent, UK) with a capillary tip. Stool elutes from mice were examined for Blastocystis at different time points, i.e., 5th, 10th, 15th, and 20th day post-infection (PI). Infection intensity in stool samples was estimated according to Shlim et al. [21]. Different forms of Blastocystis were counted in at least ten fields with estimation of the average N/high power field (HPF). Molecular study [22] including DNA extraction and genotyping of Blasatocystis in mice stool was carried out at 20th day PI.

DNA extraction

DNA was extracted from human fecal samples, culture material, mice fecal samples and intestinal mucosal scrapings using QIAamp DNA Stool/Tissue Mini Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany), as previously described [19].

Genotyping by PCR using STS primers

Consistent subtype-specific STS primers were utilized for genotyping of Blastocystis [22]. Genotype I was confirmed by 2 primers GAAGGACTCTCTGACGATGA and GTCCAAATGAAAGGCAGC detecting 351 bp. Genotype II was confirmed by utilizing ATCAGCCTACAATCTCCTC and ATCGCCACTTCTCCAAT primers to detect 650 bp. Genotype III was detected by a forward primer AGGATTTGGTGTTTGGAGA and a reverse primer TTAGAAGTGAAGGAGATGGAAG with a product of 526 bp. The fourth genotype was distinguished by GCATCCAGACTACTATCAACATT forward primer besides CCATTTTCAGACAACCACTTA reverse primer (338 bp).

The reaction was performed in a whole volume of 50 μl consisting of 20 μl of template DNA; 10 mM Tris-HCl (pH 9.0); 50 mMKCl; 0.1 Triton X-100; 2 mM MgCl2; 200 μM of dCTP, dNTP, dTTP, and dGTP, 0.2 μM of each primer and 1.25 μl of Taq DNA. The cycling conditions included a preliminary start of the Hot Star Taq DNA polymerase at 95°C for 15 min, a cycle of denaturating at 94°C for 3 min, 30 cycles of annealing at 59°C for 3 sec, extending at 72°C for 60 sec, denaturating at 94°C for 30 sec, and an additional cycle of chain elongation at 72°C for 5 min. The PCR products were visualized using 1.5% agarose gel after staining with ethidium bromide.

Drug formulations and doses

Experimental animals received 2 treatments; the first one is the standard drug, MTZ (Amriya Pharm. Industry, Alexandria, Egypt) in tablet form. Stock solution of MTZ was prepared by dissolving 600 mg in 10 ml distilled water to give a final stock solution of 60 mg/ml and stored in the dark at 4°C [23]. It was given orally in a dose of 10 mg/kg/day as the dose frequently used for relevant mouse reports [24]. The second drug is AVA (AUG Pharma, Giza, Egypt) 20 mg tablets .It was given orally in 2 doses of 20 mg/kg/day and 40 mg/kg/day [25]. All medications were administered daily orally using a feeding tube (200 μl per animal) for 5 consecutive days, beginning 24 hr after infection with Blastocystis.

Histopathology

On the 21st day, mice were killed by cervical dislocation. Tissue samples from walls of small intestines and colons were fixed in 10% formalin, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H–E), and examined under the light microscope. Only segments that were confirmed by PCR were processed for histological analysis. Slides were examined for the presence of Blastocystis, evidence of mucosal damage, inflammation or increased numbers of infiltrating leucocytes in the mucosa or any other associated pathology. The histologically visible inflammatory changes were scored blindly for each mouse and classified in to mild, moderate and severe degrees [26].

Transmission electron microscopic study (TEM)

Intestinal tissues were washed 3 times using PBS (pH 7.4) and centrifuged at 500 g for 5 min. Then, re-suspended overnight in 4% glutaraldehyde in 0.1 M sodium cacodylate buffer (pH 7.3) at 4°C, washed thoroughly with cacodylate buffer and post-fixed for 30 min in 1% osmium tetroxide in cacodylate buffer. The fixed cells were dehydrated in ascending series of ethanol and embedded in epoxy resin. Semithin sections were stained with toluidine blue. Ultrathin sections were cut using an ultra- microtome, contrasted with uranyl acetate and lead citrate and viewed using a TEM (JEOL JEM.1400).

Study design

The infected mice were randomly divided into the following groups:

Statistical analysis

It was performed using SPSS 16 (Chicago, Illinois, USA). The chi-square-test was used for association between 2 qualitatively expressed relationships. Significant levels were at P-value less than 0.05.

RESULTS

Parasitological assessment

During direct examination of stools, Blastocystis was found mainly as cystic forms. While in culture, both vacuolar and granular forms were observed (Table 1).

Table 1

Blastocystis shedding per gram of feces×103 in different groups

Group	5th day PI (mean±SD)	10th day PI (mean±SD)	15th day PI (mean±SD)	20th day PI (mean±SD)
Group 1: (Infected non-treated control)	42.6±8.3	55.6±15.8	85.4±12.6	176.2±45.3
Group 2: (Infected treated with MTZ 10 mg/kg)	34.3±2.5a	37.4±5.0a	36.2±4.3a	36.3±51.4a
Group 3A: (Infected treated with AVA 20 mg/kg)	29.2±3.8a,b	29.2±4.1a,b	20.2±14.5a,b	11.5±14.6a,b
Group 3B: (Infected treated with AVA 40 mg/kg)	20.9±6.7a,b	17.1±7.2a,b	16.1±4.3a,b	3.6±11.7a,b
Group 4A: (Infected treated with AVA 20 mg/kg & MTZ 10 mg/kg)	14.8±5.3a,b	11.5±2.4a,b	8.5±3.3a,b	3.33±3.27a,b
Group 4B: (Infected treated with AVA 40 mg/kg & MTZ 10 mg/kg)	8.1±3.3a,b	6.4±2.8a,b	1.21±3.11a,b	1±2.2a,b

Values are expressed as mean±SD.

Statistically significant compared to infection control group=P-value<0.05.

Statistically significant compared to MTZ treated group=P-value<0.05.

Reduction of Blastocystis shedding

The therapeutic effects of the MTZ and AVA were apparently dose dependent (Table 1). The used regimens of AVA (20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg) proved effectiveness against Blastocystis in mice as evaluated by the higher percentage of reduction in Blas tocystis shedding (93.4% and 97.9% respectively) compared to MTZ alone (79.3%). The highest percentage of reduction was recorded in groups treated with combinations of (AVA 20 mg/kg and MTZ 10 mg/kg) (98.1%) and (AVA 40 mg/kg and MTZ 10 mg/kg) (99.4%), both almost eradicated Blastocystis infection by 20 days PI (Table 1). There were significant differences in Blastocystis reduction between the control group and all treated groups (P <0.05).

Susceptibility of Blastocystis genotypes

Genotyping of Blastocystis in human stool samples, culture and stool samples of infected (treated and non-treated) mice by PCR using STS primers revealed the presence of 4 genotypes; I, II, III, and IV in all examined samples. Genotype III was resistant to the effect of MTZ (10 mg/kg) while genotype II was resistant to AVA (20 mg/kg). On using AVA 40 mg/kg, all genotypes were susceptible to that dose. Combination of MTZ 10 mg/kg with AVA 20 mg/kg induced a response in all genotypes. Combination of MTZ 10 mg/kg with AVA 40 mg/kg achieved complete eradication of genotypes I and II, while genotype III was detected only in 1 mouse and genotype IV was detected in 2 mice. In treated groups, genotype I represented the most susceptible genotype to all drug formulations as it was detected in 19 mice representing 38% while genotype II was detected in 56% of mice, genotype III was present in 62% (most resistant genotype) and genotype IV was detected in 50% of mice (Table 2).

Table 2

Susceptibility of different Blastocystis genotypes to different drug formulations and doses

Group	No. (%) of mice harboring different genotypes
	Genotype I	Genotype II	Genotype III	Genotype IV
1 (Infected non-treated)	10 (100)	10 (100)	10 (100)	10 (100)
2 (MTZ 10 mg/kg)	7 (70)	9 (90)	10 (100)	8 (80)
3A (AVA 20 mg/kg)	7 (70)	10 (100)	9 (90)	8 (80)
3B (AVA 40 mg/kg)	3 (30)	6 (60)	7 (70)	4 (40)
4A (MTZ 10 mg/kg & AVA 20 mg/kg)	2 (20)	3 (30)	4 (40)	3 (30)
4B (MTZ 10 mg/kg & AVA 40 mg/kg)	0 (0)	0 (0)	1 (10)	2 (20)
Total (n=50)	29 (58)	38 (76)	41 (82)	35 (70)

Pathologic and TEM findings

A normal control group showed healthy mucosal findings (Fig. 1). Pathologic findings revealed Blastocystis vacuolar forms at the mucosal epithelial surface without mucosal infiltration. This was accompanied by active intestinal infiltration of lymphocytes, eosinophils, and polymorphs with no ulceration or dysplasia but disturbed villus architecture (Fig. 2) with evident changes in the colon including hyperplasia of mucosa. Histopathological examination of the intestinal sections in group 3 treated with AVA (20 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg) revealed reduction in Blastocystis forms besides, an improvement of severity of bowel inflammatory lesions compared to the untreated groups in the form of partial healing of mucosal changes and villus architecture. Combinational therapy of AVA with MTZ (group 4) shows synergistic effects in the form of nearly absent Blastocystis forms, cessation of pathologic activity and marked improvement of inflammatory changes with enhancement of villus architecture compared to MTZ treated group which continues to have some activity of inflammatory changes and persistent disturbance of villus architecture.

Fig. 1

Normal colon found in non-infected non-treated control group in the form of normal villous architecture and moderate number of goblet cells.

Fig. 2

(A) Active inflammatory changes in the form of increased inflammatory cells (red arrows) with shortened broad villi found in the colon of infected group treated with MTZ 10 mg/kg (21 days PI); black arrow indicates vacuolar form of Blastocystis with peripheral nuclei and central vacuole. (B) Boxed area of A was photographed using TEM to show Blastocystis vacuolar forms. M, mitochondrion; N, typical peripheral electron dense nuclei; CV, central vacuole (×10,000).

The group 5 (non-infected drug control group) showed no pathological changes. Blastocystis vacuolar forms in mice treated with MTZ and AVA 40 mg/kg showed apoptotic changes as they exhibit electron dense granulation (absent central vacuole), swollen mitochondria with tabulation of cristea, swollen nuclei, chromatin scattered in clumbs and disarrangement of cytoplasm in the form of cytoplasmic streaks extend inwards from the irregular outer membrane (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3

TEM of Blastocystis from infected group treated with combined (AVA 40 mg/kg and MTZ 10 mg/kg) (21 days PI) shows apoptotic changes in the form of electron dense granulation (absent central vacuole), swollen mitochondrion with tabulation of cristea (red arrow), swollen nucleus (blue arrow), chromatin scattered in clumbs (yellow arrow) and cytoplasmic streaks extend inwards from the irregular outer membrane (×10,000).

DISCUSSION

The antiparasitic activity of statins gained attention since 1995 through the potential inhibition of procyclic and epimastigote forms of trypanosomes by atorvastatin [27]. In addition, atorvastatin showed efficacy in treatment of schistosomiasis by inducing tegumental changes in worms with significant decline in worm burden and tissue egg loads [28]. Experimentally, atorvastatin proved potential effectiveness against tachyzoites of T. gondii [29-31]. Moreover, the drug proved antimalarial activity against both Plasmodium berghei and Plasmodium falciparum by mechanisms of action involving lactate dehydrogenase enzyme (PfLDH) and reverse cytoadherence to endothelial cells in vitro [32,33]. Statins have been demonstrated as excellent repurposing candidates for treatment of cryptosporidiosis in vitro [34]. Recently, anti-leishmanial effectiveness of atorvastatin and lovastatin was reported through inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase enzyme [35,36]. This antiparasitic activity of atorvastatin was supported by Mirza et al. [14] who described that statins could modulate or even cease the Blastocystis compromise of intestinal epithelium through inhibition of the isoprenylation process and induced activation of the ROCK pathway thus, blocking Blastocystis reorganization of the tight junction complex of intestinal epithelium and blocking the contravene of host epithelial permeability. Pradines et al. [37] proved the in vitro high vulnerability of P. falciparum to atorvastatin compared to the other 6 statins used in their study. Despite these promising results, the in vivo abilities of simvastatin and atorvastatin in Plasmodium berghei remained questionable [38,39]. These pleotropic activities of AVA, in addition to the scarce reports describing the interaction between statins and conventional anti-Blastocystis drugs, enthused our concern to the in vivo potentiality of using such drug for treatment of Blastocystis infection in comparison to MTZ as the standard anti-Blastocystis available therapy.

Studies hypothesized that AVA might act as an adjuvant therapy as AVA alone, at a dose of 20 mg/kg was not enough to rescue patients with cerebral malaria and was deficient to combat parasitemia in infected mice [40]. Thus, in the current study, the in vivo potential therapeutic effect of AVA was studied using 2 doses; 20 mg/kg which proved to have an inhibitory effect on growth of Plasmodium berghi in mice [25] and 40 mg/kg which is the standard concentration commonly used and well tolerated in mice experiments [31]. What is more is that, we used the approach of combinational therapy of AVA and MTZ to explore the possible augmented therapeutic effects and highlighting the supplementary advantage of obstructing the process of drug-resistance. To our knowledge, the present study demonstrated for the first time the in vivo susceptibility of Blastocystis to AVA alone and in combination with MTZ .We found that AVA was effective against Blastocystis forms at 40 mg/kg which induced the highest reduction of Blastocystis shedding compared to AVA (20 mg/kg) and MTZ, a result that confirms the sensitivity of Blastocystis to that dose. It seems that this effect might be attributed mainly to Blastocystis damages occurred as a result of the possible influence of AVA on the biochemical pathways of the parasite. This hypothesis is acceptable in view of what is proved by Merza et al. [14] who described the dual effects of statins on Blastocystis and epithelial integrities through inhibition of HMG-COA reductase and cysteine proteases of Blastocystis besides abolishing enterocyte ROCK activities. The current study proved that genotype I was the most susceptible while genotype III proved to be the most resistant to the used drug formulations. On combinational therapy of AVA and MTZ, we found that these 2 drugs exhibited a strong synergy proved by the significant reduction of the recovered Blastocystis forms that were almost eradicated by 20 days PI. Moreover, our molecular study revealed that genotype III was resistant to MTZ when used alone but upon combination with AVA (20 mg/kg), all genotypes were susceptible to treatments and complete eradication of genotypes I and II was achieved upon using a higher dose of AVA (40 mg/kg). This potentiated anti-Blastocystis activity was initiated earlier (5th day PI) when using AVA 40 mg/kg combined to MTZ. This may be due to the potential success of AVA at that higher dose to chiefly target the host cells as reported by Soliman and Ibrahim [28].

Consequently, combating the possible incidence of resistance of the parasite to MTZ that was previously reported by Haresh et al. [23]. Interestingly, this synergistic effect of both drugs may partially reconcile the argument regarding Blastocystis pathogenicity by effectively treating cases and evaluating whether the symptoms declared to be caused by the parasite improved or not. Blastocystis induced histopathologic consequences and the potential therapeutic effects of AVA discussed in this study showed significant improvement of the epithelial integrity in the experimental mice received AVA compared to MTZ. Furthermore, our results indicated that Blastocystis exposed to combinational therapy of AVA (40 mg/kg) and MTZ showed apoptotic changes which confirm the dual effect of AVA in healing of the epithelial tissues and targeting Blastocystis which is in concur with Soliman and Ibrahim [28]. Thus, our results may support the previous observations of pathogenic potential of Blastocystis. Besides, indirectly, highlighting the role of Blastocystis in modulating the epithelial integrity through the significant results of AVA targeting blockade of Blastocystis effects in the used experimental model. Thus, offering a possible elucidation of intestinal inflammations associating Blastocystis infections. In conclusion, the present study reports that AVA is a potential candidate for Blastocystis therapy. Mutually, AVA and MTZ regimens caused significant effects on Blastocystis infected mice with high synergy achieving complete Blastocystis eradication noticed in combined treatment. Genotype I represented the most susceptible genotype to drug formulations while genotype III was the most resistant.

Conclusively, results of our study might promote the use of AVA as a complement strategy to MTZ in advanced studies with particular insight to the use of statins as intestinal integrity protective factors.

Group 1:	10 infected non-treated mice, maintained as infection control group.
Group 2:	10 mice infected and treated with MTZ (10 mg/kg) as standard drug.
Group 3:	20 mice infected and treated with AVA. They were subdivided into group 3A (10 mice) given a dose of 20 mg/kg/day and group 3B (10 mice) given a dose of 40 mg/kg/day.
Group 4:	20 mice infected and treated with combinational therapy of AVA and MTZ. They were subdivided into group 4A (10 mice), given AVA at a dose of 20 mg/kg/day and MTZ (10 mg/kg) and group 4B (10 mice), given AVA at a dose of 40 mg/kg/day and MTZ (10 mg/kg).
Group 5:	50 mice non-infected and treated with MTZ and AVA to act as drug control group, divided in to: 5A: 10 mice received MTZ 10 mg/kg. 5B: 10 mice received AVA 20 mg/kg, 5C: 10 mice received AVA 40mg/kg. 5D: 10 mice received MTZ 10mg/kg and AVA 20 mg/kg, 5E: 10 mice received MTZ 10 mg/kg and AVA 40 mg/kg.
Group 6:	10 non-infected non-treated mice, maintained as control group.