Biochemical Alterations of Liver Enzymes and Microelements During Leishmania Major Infection in Balb/C Mice after Treatment with Paromomycin

Summary Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania parasites. CL is still one of the health problems in tropical areas and in Iran. In this study, the Paromomycin was used for treatment of CL in Balb/c mice infected with Leishmania major. It is purposed that Paromomycin can be used as an appropriate achievement for control and therapy of CL. Paromomycin was used to inhibit leishmaniasis in susceptible Balb/c mice infected with Leishmania major MRHO/IR/75/ER; as a prevalent strain of CL in Iran. Serum concentrations of essential trace elements including copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) were determined by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (FAAS). Moreover, liver enzymes including Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (SGOT), Serum Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (SGPT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) were also studied by Auto Analyzer Technical RA1000. Paromomycin therapy caused significant changes in the values of liver enzymes, Zn, Cu and Cu/Zn ratio as observed in healthy and infected Balb/c mice. Although, SGOT, SGPT and Cu were decreased in test groups, Zn and ALP increased in same groups in comparison with controls in healthy and infected groups of mice. The biochemical alteration of trace elements and liver enzymes was indicated during this study, which may attributable to anti-leishmanial effects of Paromomycin injection during L. major infection. This result clarifies Paromomycin as an effective therapy for the treatment of CL in rodent model of leishmaniasis.