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Action of praziquantel on Grillotia erinaceus metacestodes (Cestoda: Trypanorhyncha) in vitro

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

S. M. Ward ,
J. M. Allen  and
G. McKeer
S. M. Ward
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Ulster, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim BT 37 0QB, Ireland
J. M. Allen*
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Ulster, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim BT 37 0QB, Ireland
G. McKeer
Affiliation:
Department of Biology, University of Ulster, Shore Road, Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim BT 37 0QB, Ireland
*
To whom corresspondence should be addressed
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Summary

Isometric tension recordings and the single sucrose-gap technique were used to record mechanical and electrical activity of somatic muscle from G. erinaceus metacestodes in vitro. Praziquantel (≥ 10−6 M) raised baseline tension and largely abolished spontaneous fluctuations in tension. The effect of the drug was critically dependent on the presence and availability of calcium in the bathing medium. In calcium-free solution or in the presence of manganese or lanthanum (10 mm) praziquantel failed to induce a rise in baseline tension. Electrical recordings of somatic muscle activity showed the action of praziquantel to be accompanied by membrane depolarization and loss of slow depolarizations and spikes. Tegumental membrane potential, as measured by microelectrodes, was not affected by the drug. These results suggest that in vitro praziquantel causes contraction of the somatic muscle of G. erinaceus by membrane depolarization and influx of extracellular calcium.

Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 93 , Issue 1 , August 1986 , pp. 133 - 142
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1986

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