Activity of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Enzyme in the Excretory-Secretory Products of Fasciola hepatica and F. gigantica Parasites

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigantica parasites. MATERIALS: F. gigantica and F. hepatica helminths were collected from abattoir and cultured in buffer media for 4 h at 37 °C. Excretory-Secretory (ES) products were collected, centrifuged and stored at -20(°)C. E-S protein concentration was measured by Bradford method and SOD activity was detected using RANSOD kit (Randox Lab. Crumlin, UK). Statistical t-test was conducted for analysis of results. RESULTS: Protein concentration for F. hepatica and F. gigantica were obtained 7.293 ug/ml and 19.65 ug/ml respectively and SOD activity as 0.721 U/ml and 1.189 U/ml, in that order. ES protein concentration of two species was significantly different (P<0.05), however the difference of SOD activity of two species was not significant. CONCLUSION: Two species of Fasciola have comparable SOD biochemical defense enzyme and can help us explain the parasite survival in host tissue.