RESUMO
The effect of praziquantel [500 mg/kg/day for 2 consecutive days] on host-tissue content of calcium; magnesium; copper and zinc was investigated in Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. Also, the drug effect in normal healthy mice was studied. Praziquantel caused significant increase in Ca content of the liver, kidneys and gastrocnemius muscle of both infected and healthy mice 24 hours after its administration, in comparison with the corresponding non-treated control groups. Also, the drug increased the Ca content of both heart and spleen of the infected animals at the same time period. Seven days latter, there was significant increase in the liver, spleen and muscle Ca of the infected treated mice together with a reduction in kidney Ca content. However, in healthy mice, the drug did not cause any change in tissue Ca content after 7 days of its administration. On the other hand, the drug had no effect on tissue content of Mg; Cu and Zn after 24 hours of treatment of both S. mansoni-infected and normal healthy animals. Also, after 7 days of its administration, it had no effect on the three cations in normal healthy mice. However, in the infected group, there was marked increase in the liver content of Mg, Cu and Zn. Also spleen and muscle Mg were increased. On the contrary, kidney Mg and Zn as well as spleen Cu were decreased. These results might reflect the modulatory action of praziquantel on cell membrane permeability to Ca[++] as well as its high curative activity resulting in relatively rapid resolution of cellular reactions and fibrosis of infected tissues