Immunomodulatory Effects of Trichinella spiralis on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Mice: Prophylactic and Therapeutic Implications

Bakr, Kareem E.; Radwan, Nahla A.; Mohamed, Mohamed N.; Elwan, Mona M.

doi:10.21608/djs.2025.406082.1223

Immunomodulatory Effects of Trichinella spiralis on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Mice: Prophylactic and Therapeutic Implications

Document Type : Research and Reference

Authors

¹ Parasitology, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.

² Immunology, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.

³ Histology, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.

10.21608/djs.2025.406082.1223

Abstract

The growing burden of diabetes mellitus type 1 (T1-DM), stresses innovative therapeutic strategies. Helminth infections, such as Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis), show powerful immunomodulatory effects that may mitigate autoimmune conditions. The current study explores the prophylactic and therapeutic potential of T. spiralis infection and its larvae- derived antigens in T1-DM mice. 120 male Swiss albino mice were divided into prophylactic and therapeutic groups, each comprising six groups (N=20); normal control (G1), control T1-DM mice (G2) injected with STZ as 0.04 mg/g, low inoculum (200 larvae/mouse) of T. spiralis infection (G3), high inoculum (500 larvae/mouse) of T. spiralis (G4), low dose (100 μl / mouse of 500 µg/ml) larvae antigen intra-peritoneally administration (G5), and high-dose (100μl / mouse of 1000µg/ml) larva antigen (G6). Blood glucose levels, body weight changes were assessed, and histopathological investigation of liver and pancreas were performed using H&E staining. Statistical significance was assessed by ANOVA. Prophylactic management with T. spiralis antigens (G5 and G6) significantly decreased hyperglycemia and restored the body weight compared to T1-DM group (G2). High dose antigen treatment (G6) exhibited almost normal glucose levels, preserved hepatic architecture and reduced pancreatic β-cell degeneration. Larvae infection in G3 and G4 showed limited efficacy compared to antigen-specific immunomodulation. Therapeutic protocol confirmed the reduction of hepatic necrosis, regularization of pancreatic islets, and minimal inflammatory infiltration in high-dose antigen groups. T. spiralis antigens, particularly at high doses, exhibit strong prophylactic and therapeutic potential against T1-DM. Results magnify the promise of helminth-derived immunomodulators as novel therapy for autoimmune diabetes.

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