Abstract

Objective: To determine the morphological and biochemical alterations of in vitro induced Taenia crassiceps cysticerci by the presence of glucose, insulin and praziquantel isolated and in association. Methods: The cysticerci were cultured for 24 h in supplemented Roswell Park Memorial Institute culture medium and added to two different concentrations of glucose, insulin and praziquantel. The morphometrical analysis was performed through the ImageJ programme, and the biochemical one through high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: The exposure to the stressing factors led to alterations in the morphology and decrease in the growth rate of the parasite. Conclusions: The metabolic effects are related to a decrease in the tricarboxylic acid cycle and fatty acids oxidation metabolites due to the drug’s mode of action. Interestingly, the praziquantel, insulin and glucose association enhanced the drug’s mode of action with a greater decrease of the tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites.

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