Vermox
Inhibition of malate dehydrogenase enzymes by benzimidazole anthelmintics.

Tejada P, Sanchez-Moreno M, Monteoliva M, Gomez-Banqueri H.

Determinations were made of the inhibitory activities of four benzimidazole anthelmintics (Albendazole, Parbendazole, Mebendazole and Thiabendazole) on purified extracts of cytoplasmic and mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase obtained from Ascaris suum, Fasciola hepatica and Moniezia expansa. The highest percentage inhibitions were exhibited by Mebendazole. The results confirm that cytoplasmic MDH and mitochondrial MDH regulator enzymes of glycogen synthesis are the sites of mebendazole inhibitory activity, but the activity sites of the other anthelmintics in the study remain unclear.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3617430&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox



Vermox
Differential efficacy of mebendazole and albendazole against Necator americanus but not for Trichuris trichiura infestations.

Holzer BR, Frey FJ.

Medizinische Poliklinik, University of Berne, Switzerland.

The effect of single oral doses of albendazole 600 mg and mebendazole 1 g given to 56 and 60 men, respectively, with T. trichiura and/or N. americanus infestation has been studied. Both albendazole and mebendazole cured more than 90% of T. trichiura infestations, but only albendazole (95%) and not mebendazole (21%) had a high cure rate for N. americanus infestations. Thus, albendazole is the preferred benzimidazole derivate for the mass treatment of subjects with T. trichiura and/or N. americanus infestations.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3653234&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox



Vermox
Cimetidine increases serum mebendazole concentrations. Implications for treatment of hepatic hydatid cysts.

Bekhti A, Pirotte J.

Institut de Medecine, Universite de Liege, Hopital de Baviere, Belgium.

In eight patients (five with peptic ulcer disease and three with hydatid cysts), the [14C]-aminopyrine breath test (ABT) and maximum serum concentration of mebendazole following a dose of 1.5 g of mebendazole three times daily were determined before and after treatment with cimetidine (400 mg three times daily for 30 days). Serum mebendazole concentrations were measured in blood samples taken 2 h after each drug intake. Cimetidine lowered the 14CO2 specific activity (SA) at 1 h (P less than 0.01) and increased the maximum serum concentration of mebendazole (P less than 0.01). A significant correlation was found between SA at 1 h and the highest concentration of mebendazole before (r = -0.71, P less than 0.05) and after (r = -0.82, P less than 0.05) cimetidine ingestion. Combined administration of cimetidine and mebendazole resulted in the complete resolution of previously unresponsive hydatid cysts.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3663452&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox



Vermox
The mode of action of some benzimidazole drugs on Trichinella spiralis.

Criado Fornelio A, Rodriguez Caabeiro F, Jimenez Gonzalez A.

Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Alcala de Henares, Spain.

In an attempt to find possible targets for benzimidazole action in muscle-stage larvae of Trichinella spiralis, the effects of mebendazole and thiabendazole were tested in vivo by oral treatment of infested mice and in vitro by including these anthelmintics in an adequate maintenance medium containing decapsulated larvae. The effects of the anthelmintics on succinate dehydrogenase and fumarate reductase activities, measured in the mitochondrial fraction obtained from the in vivo- or in vitro-treated larvae showed that only thiabendazole causes significant inhibition of fumarate reductase activity. On the other hand, measurements of free glucose, glycogen reserves and soluble protein in the treated larvae indicate that in vivo, mebendazole and thiabendazole clearly diminish free glucose levels, although in vitro only mebendazole produces the same diminution. Both the glycogen and protein contents of the larvae remained unchanged after treatment in vivo or in vitro. The importance of these findings with regard to a possible site of action for mebendazole and thiabendazole is discussed.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3670899&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox



Vermox
Comparative study of different doses of mebendazole in hookworm infection.

Nontasut P, Singhasivanon V, Maipanich W, Yamput S, Visiassuk K.

Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.

Sixty six children (40 males, 26 females) aged from 4 to 14 years with hookworm infection were treated with mebendazole. Thirty one and 35 children were treated with mebendazole 300 mg single dose and 600 mg conventional regimen respectively. Stool examination by Kato-Katz technique were done for 3 consecutive days before treatment and on day 14-16, 21-23 after treatment. The cure rate with 300 mg mebendazole was 16.1% with 90.9% egg reduction while 600 mg mebendazole gave 91.4% cure rate with 99.5% egg reduction. No side effects were observed in all children. Four hundred and six adult worms were identified, 99% were Necator Americanus, 0.5% Ancylostoma duodenale and 0.5% Ancylostoma ceylanicum.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3672183&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox



Vermox
Mebendazole 500 mg for single-dose treatment of nematode infestation.

Evans AC, Hollmann AW, du Preez L.

Research Institute for Diseases in a Tropical Environment, South African Medical Research Council, Nelspruit, Tvl.

Single 500 mg doses of mebendazole (Vermox; Janssen) were administered to 211 children aged 5 - 16 years in a rural area for treatment of single and mixed infestations with Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm and Trichuris trichiura; the majority of subjects had low egg counts. Treatment was particularly effective against Ascaris, less effective against hookworm and promising against Trichuris. In most refractory cases egg output was considerably reduced. Treatment resulted in fewer Ascaris (95%) and hookworm (84%) ova reaching the environment. The results compare well with those obtained elsewhere in the world. One case of Strongyloides stercoralis infestation appeared after treatment. The drug was well tolerated and no side-effects were observed.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3686264&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox