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Radiorespirometric detection of macrofilaricidal activity in vitro

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

J. C. W. Comley  and
M. J. Rees
J. C. W. Comley
Affiliation:
Department of Molecular Sciences, The Wellcome Research Laboratories, Langley Court, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BS
M. J. Rees
Affiliation:
Department of Molecular Sciences, The Wellcome Research Laboratories, Langley Court, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3BS
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Summary

An in vitro method for studying radiorespiration has been adapted to single macrofilariae. Using this method viable (but not heat-killed) Dipetalonema viteae and Onchocera gibsoni macrofilariae evolved measurable amounts of 14CO2 from L-[U-14C]glutamine. Nonlinear and less uniform rates of 14CO2 evolution were demonstrated with D-[U-14C]glucose, [1-14C]acetate and [1-14C]octanoate. These findings led us to develop an in vitro screen in which inhibition of 14CO2 evolution from L-[U-14C]glutamine was used as a parameter for gauging macrofilaricidal activity. Using this screen we have examined the activity of 17 ‘so-called’ antifilarial standards and found a greater degree of sensitivity than shown by other biochemical criteria. Other data obtained suggest a role for radiorespirometry in determining the viability of fragments of Onchocerca tissue.

Keywords

radiorespirometryDipetalonema viteaeOnchocerca gibsonimacrofilariae
Type
Research Article
Information
Parasitology , Volume 98 , Issue 2 , April 1989 , pp. 259 - 264
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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