Colchicine reduces hepatic fibrosis in mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum.

OBJECTIVE Colchicine has been used clinically to treat hepatic cirrhosis caused by multiple etiologies.

METHODS The effect of colchicine on the liver fibrosis of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum were studied. The morphological observation and morphometric analysis of the infected and untreated, and infected and treated groups were proceeded under the light microscopy, and morphological observation was made under electron microscopy.

RESULTS The results of morphometriic analysis in histological sections showed that the collagen fibers area per schistosome's egg was decreased in the infected and treated groups 10 to 13 weeks after infection. The decrease in the group of 13 weeks was significant statistically. The egg numerical density on area increased continuously from 10 to 13 weeks in both untreated and treated groups in similar degree. The ultrastructural study showed the accumulation of collagen fibrils around the hepatocytes and in the space of Disse decrease and ultrastructural lesion of hepatocytes get recovery in the treated group.

CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that colchicine has therapeutic effect on schistosomal liver fibrosis, through not only killing off the schistosome but interfering the metabolism of collagen.