The effect ofGiardia lambliatrophozoites on trypsin, chymotrypsin and amylasein vitro

Abstract

SUMMARYGiardia lamblialocalize and multiply in the small intestine and may cause acute or chronic diarrhoea with malabsorption of fat, protein and other nutrients. Abnormal pancreatic function has been documented in giardiasis and trophozoites directly inhibit pancreatic lipase activityin vitro. The aim of this study was to examine the effect ofGiardiatrophozoites on pancreatic trypsin, chymotrypsin and amylase activityin vitro. Axenically culturedGiardiatrophozoites (Portland-1 stock) were incubated with a range of concentrations of trypsin, chymotrypsin and amylase and enzyme activity assayed over time. Tryptic activity was decreased after incubation withGiardiatrophozoites. This reduction was time dependent and linear over the incubation period of 2 h. At a trypsin concentration of 18 BAEE units/ml, there was a 35.5±4% reduction in enzyme activity after 2 h compared to controls. The total amount of activity lost was proportional to the initial trypsin concentration up to 185 BAEE units/ml. At this initial concentration, the activity was reduced by 46.5±3 units/ml after 2 h. Above this concentration, little further loss of enzyme activity was seen. To investigate the nature and specificity of this effect, similar experiments were conducted using killed trophozoites and with a related protozoan.Trichomonas vaginalis. No loss of enzyme activity was evident. Media previously incubated for 2 h with trophozoites did not diminish tryptic activity. Trophozoites had no effect on chymotrypsin or amylase activities over the range of concentrations tested.Giardiatrophozoites directly diminish pancreatic tryptic activityin vitro, by an active process which appears specific and not mediated via a secretory product. This mechanism may enhance parasite survival in the small intestine by allowing trophozoites to escape destruction by luminal proteases and may also contribute to malabsorption.