Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most widespread and harmful zoonotic parasitic diseases, which most commonly affects the liver. In this study, we characterized multiple changes in mouse hepatocytes following treatment with excretory-secretory products (ESPs) of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces (Eg-PSCs) by a factorial experiment. The cell counting kit-8 assay (CCK-8), the 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, and flow cytometry were used to detect the growth of hepatocytes. Inverted microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to observe the morphology and ultrastructure of hepatocytes. An automatic biochemical analyzer and an ELISA detection kit were used to determine six conventional hepatocyte enzymatic indices, the levels of five hepatocyte-synthesized substances, and the contents of glucose and lactate. Western blot analysis was conducted to analyze the protein expression of three apoptosis-related proteins, Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-3, and six glucose metabolism pathways rate-limiting enzymes in hepatocytes. The results showed that ESPs inhibited hepatocyte proliferation and promoted hepatocyte apoptosis. The cell membrane and microvilli of hepatocytes changed, and the nucleus, mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum were damaged to varying degrees. The contents of iron, albumin (ALB), uric acid (UA) and urea were increased, and the activities of six enzymes in hepatocytes were increased except for the decrease of transferrin (TRF). The expression levels of all six key enzymes in the glucose metabolism pathway in hepatocytes were reduced. Our characterization provides a basis for further research on the pathogenesis, prevention and treatment of CE.

The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Nrf2 signaling pathways in Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus). E. granulosus protoscoleces (PSCs) cultured in vitro were divided into different groups: a control group, PSCs were pretreated with various concentrations of propofol followed by exposure to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and PSCs were pretreated with MAPK inhibitors, then co-treated with propofol and incubated in the presence of H₂O₂. PSCs activity was observed under an inverted microscope and survival rate was calculated. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by fluorescence microscopy, western blotting was used to detect the expression of Nrf2, Bcl-2, and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in the PSCs among different groups. Pretreatment of PSCs with 0–1 mM propofol for 8 h prevented PSCs death after exposure to 0.5 mM H₂O₂. PSCs were pretreated with PD98059, SB202190, or SP600125 for 2 h, co-treated with propofol for an additional 8 h, and then exposed to 0.5 mM H₂O₂ for 6 h. On day 6, the PSCs viability was 42% and 39% in the p38 and JNK inhibitor groups, respectively. Additionally, pretreatment with propofol significantly attenuated the generation of ROS following H₂O₂ treatment. Propofol increased the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and BCL2 compared with that of the control group. Pretreatment PSCs with SP600125 or SB202190, co-incubation with propofol and H₂O₂, can reduce the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and BCL2 (p < 0.05). These results suggest that propofol induces an upregulated expression of HO-1 and Nrf2 by activation of the JNK and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. This study highlights the cross role of metabolic regulation of ROS signaling and targeting signalling pathways that may provide a promising strategy for the treatment of E. granulosus disease.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is one of the most widespread and harmful zoonotic parasitic diseases and it most commonly affects the liver. In this study, we characterized multiple changes in mouse hepatocytes following treatment with excretory-secretory (ES) products of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces by a factorial experiment. The cell counting kit-8 assay (CCK-8), the 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay, and flow cytometry were used to detect the growth of hepatocytes. Inverted microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to observe the morphology and ultrastructure of hepatocytes. An automatic biochemical analyzer and an ELISA detection kit were used to determine six conventional hepatocyte enzymatic indices, the levels of five hepatocyte-synthesized substances, and the contents of glucose and lactate. Western blot analysis was conducted to analyze the protein expression of six rate-limiting enzymes in the glucose metabolism pathway in hepatocytes: glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (ALT), glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), and leucine arylamidase (LAP). The results of the CCK-8 and EdU assays both showed that ES could inhibit the proliferation of hepatocytes, and flow cytometry indicated that ES could promote apoptosis of hepatocytes. After ES treatment, the ultrastructure of hepatocytes was disrupted to a certain extent. The changes in the cell membrane and microvilli were observed through SEM, and the changes in the nucleus, mitochondria, and rough endoplasmic reticulum were observed through TEM. After ES treatment, the enzymatic activities of the six hepatocyte enzymes were increased in addition to the Fe metabolism and the synthesis of albumin (ALB), uric acid (UA), and urea, whereas the synthesis of transferrin (TRF) was decreased. The expression levels of all six key enzymes in the glucose metabolism pathway in hepatocytes were decreased, and the biological effects were significantly inhibited. We analyzed the causes and possible complications caused by various changes and advocate corresponding measures. We also propose possible mechanisms by which protoscoleces cause hepatocyte necrosis, but the specific mechanism requires further study. Author Summary: Echinococcus granulosus , the most widely distributed and most infected tapeworm, has caused serious economic and social burdens to pastoral areas in China. The metacestodes of Echinococcus granulosus mainly infect the liver of intermediate hosts (humans, cattle, sheep, etc.). Currently, the effects of Echinococcus granulosus on hepatocytes’ ultrastructure, enzymology, function, and glucose metabolism have not been characterized, and accurate characterization is crucial in the study of related pathogenesis and preventive therapy. Here, we characterize multiple changes in hepatocytes using excretory-secretory (ES) products of Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces and mouse hepatocyte action by a factorial experiment. We found that ES inhibited hepatocyte proliferation and promoted hepatocyte apoptosis. ES can cause a certain degree of damage to the cell membrane, nucleus, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum of hepatocytes. After ES treatment, six enzymatic indexes of hepatocytes were elevated, they were ALT, AST, LDH, ALP, GGT, and LAP, and Fe, ALB, UA, and urea levels synthesized by hepatocytes were significantly higher and TRF levels were significantly lower. Reduced expression of rate-limiting enzymes in six pathways of glucose metabolism in hepatocytes, including PFK-1, IDH, G-6-PD, GS, GP, and GLUT-2, indicating that ES inhibits glucose metabolism in hepatocytes. Our study not only characterized the effects of ES on hepatocytes in detail but also proposed the possible mechanisms causing these effects, which provided a basis for subsequent studies on related pathogenesis and prevention, and treatment.