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Radiorespirometric detection of macrofilaricidal activity in vitro

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2009

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

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.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1989

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