Vermox
Mebendazole and insulin secretion from isolated rat islets.

Owen OE, Smith RH, Caprio S, Mozzoli MA, Rao AK, Litwack G, Ray TK, Boden G.

In a preliminary communication we reported that mebendazole, a vermicide, decreased plasma glucose and free fatty acid concentrations and increased plasma C peptide concentrations in both type II diabetic patients. Therefore, we suggested that mebendazole was an insulin secretagogue. However, these were uncontrolled studies, and improved metabolic control in these patients due to spontaneous remission rather than drug-induced insulin secretion was a possibility. To investigate the direct effect of mebendazole on insulin secretion we used intact islets isolated from normal rat pancreata. Mebendazole in concentrations as low as 10 to 20 mumol/L caused a twofold to threefold increase in acute-phase insulin release from isolated perifused rat islets. This heightened insulin release occurred in the presence of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3889540&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox



Vermox
In vivo efficacy and ultrastructural effects of mitomycin C against experimental alveolar hydatid disease.

Marchiondo AA, Andersen FL.

The in vivo efficacy and ultrastructural effects of mitomycin C were determined against alveolar hydatid disease in experimentally infected animals and compared to mebendazole treatment. Mitomycin C inhibited the mean cyst mass of treated versus control animals by 84.1% which was statistically significant at the alpha = 0.01 level. Mebendazole given daily inhibited the mean cyst mass by 80.1%, while mebendazole administration on the same treatment schedule as that used for mitomycin C inhibited the mean cyst mass by 70.4%. Ultrastructurally, mitomycin C was not observed to affect the tegumental microtriches (microvilli) or the microtubular system. However, an increase in the number and accumulation of round to oval electrondense vesicles was observed within the subtegument. These inclusion bodies became vacuolated, subsequently degenerated, and formed myelin-like figures. Mitomycin C, like mebendazole, was only cystistatic in its effects on the cyst stage of Echinococcus multilocularis as evidenced by the growth of treated cyst material following inoculation into helminth-free animals.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3921601&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox



Vermox
Single dose mebendazole therapy for soil-transmitted nematodes.

Abadi K.

Four hundred and fifty subjects were included in a study of the prevalence of soil-transmitted nematodes in Ujung Pandang, South-Sulawesi, Indonesia. Trichuriasis was the most prevalent infection (93.3%), followed by ascariasis (80.2%) and hookworm infection (19.5%). Among 156 subjects who were given 500 mg of mebendazole in a single dose, treatment resulted in cure rates of 93.4%, 77.6%, and 91.1%, and average egg-count reduction rates of 99.0%, 92.8%, and 98.3%, for ascariasis, trichuriasis, and hookworm infections, respectively. Mebendazole appeared to be equally effective against necatoriasis and ancylostomiasis. The drug was well tolerated and almost no side effects were observed. Single dose mebendazole treatment appears to be relatively inexpensive, convenient, and effective in mass treatment for the control of intestinal nematode infections, especially in highly infected communities.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3970305&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox



Vermox
The pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of a tracer dose of [3H]-mebendazole in man.

Dawson M, Braithwaite PA, Roberts MS, Watson TR.

Five volunteers, whose ages ranged between 37 and 64 years, took part in a crossover study to determine the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of mebendazole in man following intravenous and oral administration of a tracer dose of [3H]-mebendazole. Following intravenous administration, the average distribution half-life, elimination half-life and rate of clearance were 0.20 h, 1.12 h, and 1.063 min respectively. After oral administration of the solution, the average elimination half-life was 0.93 h, the apparent rate of clearance was 0.846 l/min, the average time to peak plasma concentration was 0.42 h, and the bioavailability of mebendazole was 22%. Comparison of metabolite area under the plasma concentration vs time data from each route of administration indicates that absorption of mebendazole from the gastrointestinal tract at this dose level is almost complete. The low bioavailability observed following oral administration at this dose level is postulated to be due to high first pass elimination. Approximately half of the administered dose of radioactivity following intravenous and oral administration was detected in the urine, and the major unconjugated metabolite of mebendazole was found to be 2-amino-5(6) [alpha-hydroxybenzyl]benzimidazole (IV), not 2-amino-5(6)benzoylbenzimidazole (II), as previously reported.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3978023&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox



Vermox
The effect of dose form on the bioavailability of mebendazole in man.

Dawson M, Watson TR.

Four different dose forms of mebendazole were administered to human volunteers, and urine was collected and assayed for mebendazole and unconjugated metabolites of mebendazole. Oral administration of mebendazole as an oily suspension slightly enhances the bioavailability of the drug, however mebendazole is not absorbed following rectal administration. The major urinary metabolite of mebendazole in humans is 2-amino-5(6)[alpha-hydroxybenzyl]benzimidazole (IV), not 2-amino-5(6) benzoylbenzimidazole (II), as previously reported.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=3978024&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox



Vermox
Treatment of cystic echinococcosis (Echinococcus granulosus) with mebendazole: assessment of bound and free drug levels in cyst fluid and of parasite vitality in operative specimens.

Luder PJ, Witassek F, Weigand K, Eckert J, Bircher J.

Chemotherapy of the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus in man with high oral doses of mebendazole has only been partly successful. In order to improve effective pharmacotherapy of this disease with mebendazole, the optimal time for blood sampling has been assessed and the mebendazole concentrations acting on the parasite have been compared with their viability. The optimal time for blood sampling was analysed in 14 patients during longterm treatment with mebendazole. The plasma level 4 h after the morning dose exhibited the best correlation with the average 24-h concentration, suggesting that the plasma level should be monitored 4 h after the morning dose. In 22 patients undergoing surgery for hydatid disease, the mebendazole concentration in cyst fluid was significantly correlated with its plasma level 4 h after the morning dose. In 13 of them the free drug concentration was determined by equilibrium dialysis and it was almost identical with the free mebendazole concentration in plasma. Results of viability tests in 12 cases revealed viable cysts in 6 cases and possibly viable cysts in 6 other cases. Even patients treated for more than 12 months still had viable cysts.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=4007032&dopt=Abstract mebendazole Vermox