Effects of mebendazole, albendazole, and praziquantel on alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, and adenosine triphosphatase of Echinococcus granulosus cysts harbored in mice.

Mice infected with protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus for 12-14 months were treated ig with mebendazole (Meb) 25-50 mg.kg-1 x d-1 for 7-14 d, albendazole (Alb) 200 mg.kg-1 x d-1, cr praziquantel (Pra) 500 mg.kg-1 x d-1 for 14 d. The mice were killed 24 h after the last medication, and acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) including (Na, K, Mg)-ATPase, (Na, K)-ATPase, and (Mg)-ATPase were determined and compared with those of untreated control group. The results showed that ACP activities of cyst wall in treated groups were lower than the control group. Whereas AKP activity of cyst wall in Pra group increased markedly, this is not the case in Meb and Alb groups. Three ATPase activities of cyst wall were inhibited in both Meb and Alb groups, Meb being more potent. No apparent changes in the ATPase activities were seen in Pra group.