DIETHYLCARBAMAZINE - EFFECT ON LYSOSOMAL-ENZYMES AND ACETYLCHOLINE INWUCHERERIA-BANCROFTI INFECTION

We measured the levels of lysosomal enzymes and acetylcholine in Wuche reria bancrofti - infected asymptomatic microfilaraemic human serum, a nd found a significant decrease in the activity of beta-glucuronidase and acid phosphatase compared to normal serum. Acetylcholine levels we re also decreased during infection. However, after giving diethylcarba mazine (6 mg/kg body wt/day) the level of lysosomal enzymes and acetyl choline increased and reached a normal value after two weeks of therap y. It is proposed that parasites secrete acetylcholinenesterase in the circulation which degrades acetylcholine. Since acetylcholine stimula tes the release of lysosomal enzymes and phagocytosis, the immune resp onse of the host is suppressed during infection. During diethylcarbama zine (DEC) therapy the parasitic enzyme is inhibited by the drug and t he normal level of acetylcholine is resumed, which again stimulates th e release of lysosomal enzyme and the process of phagocytosis.