HISTOENZYMIC EFFECTS OF THIOPHENATE AND NILZAN ON THE ABSORPTIVE SURFACES OF TRICHURIS-GLOBULOSA (NEMATODA, TRICHURIDAE)

In vitro alterations induced by 10 mu g/ml and 50 mu g/ml dose each of thiophenate and Nilzan on the absorptive surfaces of Trichuris globul osa (v. Linstow 1901) were studied. The most significant changes were induced in the gut epithelium. Alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphata se were absent. Inhibition of alkaline triphosphatase, acetylcholine e sterase and non-specific esterases was observed after treatment with b oth the drugs. These anthelmintics also inhibited all the dehydrogenas es viz., succinic dehydrogenase, glutamate dehydrogenase, lactic dehyd rogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. Respiratory chain at t he level of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide diaphorase was i nhibited. Terminal end of mammalian type of respiratory chain, denoted by cytochrome oxidase was also inhibited by both the drugs. The funct ional significance of such alternations is fully discussed.