EFFECT OF PRAZIQUANTEL TREATMENT ON BRAIN AND KIDNEY ATPASE ACTIVITIES IN HEALTHY AND SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI-INFECTED MICE

Na+-K+-dependent ouabain-sensitive ATPase and Mg2+-ATPase activities have been assayed in brain and kidney of healthy and Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice before and after praziquantel (EMBAY 8440, CAS 55268-74-1) treatment. Schistosoma mansoni infection caused a moderate decrease of brain Na + -K+ -ATPase activity with a marked inhibition of its Mg-stimulated ATPase. Meanwhile, a marked inhibition in both renal ATPase activities was observed in infected mice. Treatment of the infected mice with praziquantel (2 x 500 mg/kg b. wt.) reversed the inhibitory effect of infection on brain and kidney ATPase, so that the activity of both renal ATPase and that of brain Mg-ATPase were nearly corrected while the activity of brain Na + -K+ -ATPase was increased to an extent greater than normal values. However, treatment of normal mice with praziquantel did not affect any of the measured parameters. Possible explanations of these findings are given.