Detoxifying and anti-oxidant enzymes of Fasciola gigantica worms under triclabendazole sulphoxide [TCBZ-SX]: An in vitro study

Triclabendazole [TCBZ] is an efficient fasciolicide that affects both juvenile and adult worms. After oral administration it is rapidly metabolized to TCBZ sulphoxide and sulphone that were found responsible for its fasciolicidal activity. Parasite defense mechanisms include detoxifying and anti-oxidant enzymes that would suppress its oxidative killing. The present work aimed at evaluating these enzymes under TCBZ-SX. Thirty juvenile and 30 adult F. gigantica worms collected from the liver parenchyma and bile ducts formed the subject of the study. Levels of superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GPx], glutathione reductase [GR], glutathione S-transferase [GST], and glutathione [GSH] were measured in juvenile and adult worms incubated, without and with 15 and 50 micro g/ml TCBZ-SX for 18 hours at 37°C. Results demonstrated a significant decrease in SOD activity and an increase in GST level in both juvenile and adult worms after incubation in the two concentrations. The remaining enzymes and GSH revealed variable levels

Levels of growth hormone, albumin and ferritin in human fascioliasis and schistosomiasis

This study assessed levels of growth hormone, albumin and ferritin in human fascioliasis and schistosomiasis. Forty three patients and ten healthy parasite free subjects were included as controls. All were subjected to clinical, parasitological, and haematological examinations. Serum growth hormone [GH] levels were measured by an immunoenzymometric assay. Statistical analysis revealed significant elevation in GH levels in acute and chronic fascioliasis patients compared to controls. Serum albumin was significantly low in schistosomiasis patients compared to controls. Non-significant changes in serum ferritin were in all patients. The results were critically discussed on the light of the work done before