Trichinellosis is a serious food-borne zoonotic infection of cosmopolitan distribution. Currently, treatment for trichinellosis is far from ideal. Given the important role of oxidative stress and immune-mediated inflammation in the pathogenesis of trichinellosis, this study was designed to evaluate the possible protective effects of resveratrol (RSV) during the intestinal and muscular phases of Trichinella spiralis infection in mice. The oral administration of RSV at a dose of 20 mg/kg once daily for two weeks resulted in significant reductions in both adult and larval counts; significant improvements in the redox status of the small intestine and muscles; a significant reduction in interleukin 4, pentraxin 3 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression; and the mitigation of intestinal and muscular inflammation. In conclusion, this study identifies RSV as a promising agent for the treatment of experimental trichinellosis, and more studies in experimental animals and humans are worth consideration.

Immunological memory generated by infection with S. ratti was studied separately in the migratory and intestinal phases in mice. Protection against reinfection in the migratory phase was 96–98% at 2 weeks but significantly decreased to 60% at 12 weeks after the primary infection. However, protection in the intestinal phase was 96% even 12 weeks after the primary infection. Recall of immunity against the intestinal phase persists for longer than that against the migratory phase in mice.