The Target of Benzimidazole Carbamate Against Cysticerci cellulosae

To study the target of benzimidazole carbamate drugs against Cysticerci cellulosae and give a theoretical basis for type evolution and new drug design, the changes of key enzyme activities and metabolite contents in the pathway of energy metabolism in C. cellulosae in vitro and in vivo were tested with albendazole and oxfendazole, respectively. Both albendazole and oxfendazole inhibited the pathways of anaerobic glycolysis, partial inversed tricarboxylic acid cycle of Taenia Solium oncosphere, immature and mature Cysticerci in vitro, and immature and mature Cysticerci in vivo to a certain degree, and enhanced fat decomposing, amino acid decomposing, xanthine decomposing metabolism, and on the other hand, the absorption of glucose was hindered; furthermore, both albendazole and oxfendazole inhibited the activities of the fumaric reductase （FR） complex noncompetently in vitro. Benzimidazole carbamate drugs could inhibit the activities of FR complex noncompetently and hinder the absorption of glucose.

Adjuvant Effects of Recombinant Plasmids of Porcine IL-4 and IFN-γ to Cysticercosis cellulosae Vaccines in Mice and Pigs

To investigate the adjuvant potential of porcine IL-4 and IFN-γ in mice and pigs, the genes of porcine IL-4 and IFN-γ were cloned and the recombinant mammalian expression plasmids were constructed for in vivo expression of the cytokines. Adjuvant effects of recombinant expression plasmids of IL-4 and IFN-γ （pcDNA-IL-4, pcDNA-IFN-γ） co-administrated with Cysticercus cellulosae crude antigen or TSOL18 recombinant protein antigen have been carried out in mice and pigs, respectively. We have demonstrated that recombinant plasmids of the cytokines as an adjuvant could induce stronger immune response in mice and pigs. With the C. cellulosae parasite antigen, porcine pcDNA-IL-4 induced higher specific antibody of immunized mice than pcDNA-IFN-γ. But pcDNA-IFN-γ is significantly stronger than that of no adjuvant or empty plasmids with the antigen control group. For the TSOL18 recombinant protein antigen vaccine, pcDNA-IL-4 still had a stronger ability to enhance specific antibody in swine than pcDNA-IFN-γ （P 〈 0.01）, but the immune protective rate was lower in challenged pigs （only 68.7%）. Although pcDNA-IFN-γ showed lower specific antibody, the protection rate was very high （91%） than other group （P 〈 0.01）. This study indicated that the recombinant expression plasmids of porcine IL-4 and IFN-γ display stronger adjuvant effects to C. cellulosae vaccine, further research should be carried out for understanding of the interaction mechanism.

Amino Acids Analysis in Different Antigens and Relationship with Immunoreactivity in Cysticercus cellulosae

The six antigens of Cysticercus cellulosae: CFag, CSag, CBWag, CWag, UCWag and TSag were prepared respectively. The amino acids of the antigens were determined quantitative by automatic amino acid analyzer. The relationship of original reaction was confirmed between amino acids and antigens. The results showed that there were 17 amino acids among all of the antigens. There were no significant difference (P >0.05) of Asp, Clu, Lys, His in composition of all antigens by data analysis software SPSS. There are also no significant difference (P >0.05) in the composition of all amino acids between CSag and CBWag. The composition of Thr, Ser, Tyr, Ved, Pro in UCWag shows significant difference (P<0.05) with other antigens. The sensitivity and peculiarity of UCWag are higher than that of the others. Pro and Glu show significant linear correspondence with sensitivity and peculiarity of antigens respectively.

Effects of Three Drugs on Membrane Metabolism Against Cysticerci cellulosae in vitro

To investigate the effects and mechanisms of the benzimidazole carbamate and benmidine drugs on Cysticerci cellulosae and choose effective drugs on Cysticerci cellulosae, the membrane metabolism of Cysticerci cellulosae in vitro was tested after three kinds of drugs which were used respectively. The indexes included the contents of lipids, the contents of SA and the changes of the membrane fluidity. The results showed that oxfendazole could inhibit the membrane metabolism of immature and mature Cysticerci cellulosae in vitro, and albendazole only inhibited the mature one, while thibendimidine neither acted on the immature nor mature one.

Inhibition of Albendazole and Oxfendazole on the Activity of Fumaric Reductase in Cysticercus cellulosae

The activity of fumaric reductase in Cysticercus cellulosae tissue homogenate with albendazole and oxfendazole individually was detected. Results showed that the two kinds of drugs both could inhabite the activity of fumaric reductase. The results indicate that the mechanism of action of benzimidazole carbamate drugs is probably inhabiting the complex of fumaric reductase noncompetently, thus lead to the exhaostion of energy and death.

Development of an Indirect ELISA for Detection of T.solium Based on Recombinant 18 kDa Protein

The gene encoding the 18 kDa protein of Taenia solium metacestodes was amplified by RT-PCR and cloned into the pGEM-T vector for sequencing.The recombinant plasmid named pGEX-CE18 was constructed and transformed into E.coli BL21 for in vitro expression.SDS-PAGE and Western blot were employed for analyzing the recombinant protein,which was then used for development of an indirect ELISA for detection of anti-cysticercosis antibodies.The results showed that the recombinant protein of interest was 35 kDa in size,accounting for 28%of total bacteria proteins,and reacted with positive sera against cysticercosis.Using the newly-constructed indirect ELISA and a commercially available ELISA kit,paired analyses of 178 serum samples indicated that the concordant rate was 98.83%and the ELISA exhibited good specificity and sensitivity,supporting its utility and application for diagnosis of cysticercosis.

Heavy Metals Removal from Swine Wastewater Using Constructed Wetlands with Horizontal Sub-Surface Flow

The removal efficiency of Cu and Zn from swine wastewater was evaluated as effected by three variables: the hydraulic retention time (HRT) (24, 48, 72 and 96 hours), two different plant species (Typha domingensis Pers. and Eleocharis cellulosa) and two different sizes of filter media (5 and 15 mm) using a horizontal sub-surface flow constructed wetland. From the results, a significant difference was observed in the removal efficiency of Cu and Zn with respect to different hydraulic retention times. The best results were obtained in the HRT of 96 hours for Zn where 96% removal of Zn with Typha domingensis Pers. specie with gravel of 15 mm (experimental unit 6) was achieved. For Cu, at 72 hours of HRT, the efficiency was nearly 100% in five of the six study units (1, 2, 3, 5 and 6). In contrast, in experimental unit 4 with gravel of 15 mm and without plants, only 86% Cu removal was achieved.