Authors: K P Lan C J Wang S C Lai K M Chen S S Lee J D Hsu H H Lee
Publish Date: 2004/06/04
Volume: 93, Issue: 4, Pages: 311-317
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinase 9 MMP9 is involved in the pathogenesis of parasitic meningitis caused by the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis The present study evaluated the efficacy of albendazole therapy in BALB/c mice infected with the third stage larvae of this nematode Albendazole showed a pronounced larvicidal activity Eosinophil numbers significantly increased in infected mice but decreased upon administration of albendazole Densitometric scanning indicated that albendazole reduced gelatinolytic activity detected by gelatinsubstrate zymography In the cerebrospinal fluid albendazole reduced the lytic area intensity of the 94 kDa MMP9 band by 465 within 7 days and by 515 by day 14 Examination of brain tissue revealed a similar pattern of decrease 486 by day 7 and 539 by day 14 Albendazole may thus be an effective compound for the treatment of angiostrongyliasis through its larvicidal activity and facilitation of an improved inflammatory response via the reduction of MMP9 activity
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