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.