The in vitro uptake of 14C-praziquantel by cestodes, trematodes, and a nematode
Andrews, P.; Thomas, H.; Weber, H.
Journal of Parasitology 66(6): 920-925
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-3395 PMID: 7218112 Document Number: 155484
14C-praziquantel was rapidly taken up in vitro by Schistosoma mansoni, Fasciola hepatica, Hymenolepis nana and isolated strobilocerci of Taenia taeniaeformis. The apparent internal concentration equalled the external concentration within 2 min in the schistosomes and within 8 to 10 min in the larger H. nana and the even larger F. hepatica. The radioactivity content of the parasites increased with incubation time. Uptake of 14C activity by Heterakis spumosa was markedly slower than that by cestodes and trematodes, and was apparently via the oral route. S. mansoni lost praziquantel rapidly to drug-free medium. Chromatography of extracts prepared after incubation of S. mansoni and Hymenolepis nana yielded no indication that praziquantel was metabolized. Autoradiography revealed a uniform distribution of praziquantel throughout the tissues of S. mansoni and H. nana. Uptake of 14C-activity by intact cysts of T. taeniaeformis was somewhat slower than that by isolated strobilocerci; radioactivity content was 4 to 10 times higher in the cyst wall than in the strobilocercus.