Correlation of Hyperglycemia and Succinate dehydrogenase Activity During Hymenolepiasis in Mice and Treatment With Praziquantel

Energy metabolism is the chief controlling factor of all living organisms, mostly by the breakdown of glucose. The higher energy demands in a traumatized host directly affects levels of glucose and the enzyme activity involved in its ultimate breakdown. The variations in the carbohydrate levels of host Mus musculus infected with the intestinal helminth Hymenolepis nana and treated with anthelmintic praziquantel, demonstrated histochemically using Periodic acid-schiff reaction, are qualitatively correlated with the corresponding variations of succinate dehydrogenase, a key energy generating enzyme of the Kreb’s cycle, visualized by Nitroblue tetrazolium, in the host intestine. These results are also emphasized for the development of prophylactic chemotherapy, especially in the tropical countries, with prevalence of multi-worm infections.