EFFECT OF FREE AND LIPOSOMIZED ALBENDAZOLE ON THE IMMUNE-RESPONSES INHEALTHY AND TOXOCARA CANIS-INFECTED MICE

The effect of free and liposomized albendazole on the lymphoproliferat ive activity was studied in healthy and Toxocara canis-infected mice. The level of specific circulating antibodies was simultaneously assess ed in infected animals. A replicated administration of drug-free lipos omes to healthy mice considerably reduced the response of T and B cell s to non-specific polyclonal activators (Concanavalin A, Lipopolysacch aride, Pokeweed mitogen). Liposomes with incorporated albendazole, adm inistered at a dose of 10 mg/kg b.w. twice a day for 5 days, also supp ressed the same cell population activity in healthy mice. On the contr ary, free albendazole given to healthy animals stimulated their T- and B-cell activity to polyclonal activators. After infection of mice wit h T. canis, the proliferative activity of both cell populations and th e level of specific circulating antibodies were enhanced. A therapy of infected mice with liposomized albendazole partially inhibited the ly mphocyte proliferative activity and the level of specific circulating antibodies fell significantly compared with only infected animals. The efficacy of liposomized albendazole against T. ca,lis larvae in the m uscles during the myotropo-neurotropic phase of their migration was 41 .6 to 60.8% and in the brain 52.4 to 60.8%.