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The effect of catecholamines and catecholamine antagonists on the third larval moult of Dirofilaria immitis in vitro

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 June 2009

E. V. Warbrick  and
S. A. Ward
E. V. Warbrick*
Affiliation:
Department of Parasitology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, L3 5QA, UK
S. A. Ward
Affiliation:
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Liverpool, P0 Box 147, Liverpool, L69 3BX, UK.
*
†Dr E. V. Warbrick, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Salford, Salford, M5 4WT, UK.
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Abstract

Various catecholamines and catecholamine antagonists have been examined for their effects on the third larval moult of the parasitic nematode, Dirofilaria immitis, cultured in vitro. The non-selective α and β agonist, noradrenaline, and the β agonist, isoprenaline, had no effect on the timing of the third stage moult when used at a concentration of 10−5M. The α-adrenergic antagonist. phentolamine, resulted in worm mortality at 10−5M. At 10−7M, both phentolamine and the β-antagonist, propranolol caused a significant reduction in the numbers of larvae capable of completing the third stage moult. Idazoxan, an a2-antagonist, at 10−5M did not affect worm mortality but did completely prevent ecdysis. The potential of these compounds as possible filaricides is discussed.

Keywords

Dirofilaria immitiscatecholaminesmoultingNematodaphysiology
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 66 , Issue 4 , December 1992 , pp. 273 - 278
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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