Effect of mebendazole and praziquantel on glucosephosphate isomerase and glyceraldehydephosphate dehydrogenase in Echinococcus granulosus cyst wall harbored in mice

AIM: To study effects of antihydatid drugs on glucosephosphate isomerase (GPI)
and glyceraldehydephosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) in Echinococcus granulosus cyst
wall.
METHODS: Mice infected with the parasite for 8-10 months were treated i.g. with
mebendazole (Meb) or praziquantel (Pra). The activities of GPI and GAPDH in the
cysts were measured by the formation of NADH or NADPH.
RESULTS: GPI activity in the cyst wall was 197 +/- 103 U, while that of GAPDH was
25 +/- 13 U. When infected mice were treated i.g. with Meb 25-50 mg.kg-1.d-1 for
7-14 d, no apparent effect on the GAPDH activity in the cyst was found. In mice
treated i.g. with praziquantel (Pra) 500 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 14 d, the GAPDH activity
in the cyst wall was inhibited by 26.5%. As to GPI activity only the group
treated i.g. with Meb 25 mg.kg-1.d-1 for 14 d showed 33.2% inhibition of the
enzyme in the collapsed cyst wall.
CONCLUSION: GPI and GAPDH are not the major targets attacked by the antihydatid
drug.