Effect of BEA in lung and spleen bacillary burdens, pulmonary
cytokine expression and tissue damage in TB and T2D-TB mice
To evaluate the therapeutic effect of BEA, the TB and T2D-TB groups and
their respective control groups that received only the vehicle were
compared through bacillary loads in the lung and spleen (CFUs), extent
of tissue damage (percentage of lung surface affected by pneumonia), and
the gene expression of the protective cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ
(RT-PCR). In comparison with their respective controls non-treated mice,
both T2D-TB and TB groups after one and two months of treatment with BEA
showed significant reduction of pulmonary bacillary burdens (Fig. 4A).
BEA induced an increase in gene expression of IFN-γ and TNF-α after one
month of treatment in both groups, and IFN-γ in TB group after two
months of treatment (Fig. 4B, and 4C); as well as reduction of
pneumonia. Interestingly, BEA treatment for two months induced in the
spleen significant reduction of CFUs and weight increase only in the
T2D-TB group (Fig. 4E, and 4F), which suggest spleen hyperplasia with
better control of bacillary dissemination in this experimental group.