Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2000;142(8):929-33.
The effects of albendazole solution at scolocidal concentration in the rat brain.

Senel A, Cokluk C, Yildiz L, Agar E, Ayyildiz M, Onder A.

Ondokuz Mayis University, Faculty of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey.

Intra-operative cyst rupture is a catastrophic event in the intracranial hydatid cyst disease. Dissemination of the cyst contents may lead to severe anaphylactic reactions and an increased risk of recurrence. Several scolicidal agents have been used to eradicate the infective scolices but recurrences occur and no solution has been evaluated for its adverse effects to the brain tissue. Being a specific scolocidal agent albendazole has been shown to be 100% scolicidal in vitro. In this study, we present the electrophysiological and histopathological effects of intracerebral 2% albendazole injection in the rat brain. Vascular, neuronal and glial as well as inflammatory changes were evaluated in order to detect any adverse pharmacological effects. Electrophysiological and most microscopic parameters showed no significant effects attributable to albendazole but in 25% of the albendazole group cerebral gliosis was detected whereas no gliosis was present in the control group. It is concluded that being a specific scolicidal agent albendazole offers an efficient alternative for ruptured cerebral hydatid disease, but the significance and clinical importance of the gliosis should be further investigated.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11086833&dopt=Abstract albendazole Albenza




Curr Treat Options Neurol. 2000 Jul;2(4):355-360.
Cysticercosis.

Bale Jr JF.

Division of Pediatric Neurology, Primary Children's Medical Center, 100 North Medical Drive, Suite 2700, Salt Lake City, UT 84113, USA. pcjbalhc.com

Cysticercosis, the consequence of ingesting viable eggs of the porcine tapeworm Taenia solium, currently remains one of the most common human parasitic conditions worldwide. Although preventable by the proper disposal of human wastes, cysticercosis of the central nervous system (neurocysticercosis) accounts for a substantial proportion of cases of epilepsy and hydrocephalus among children and adults in many developing countries. Cases also occur in nonendemic regions, reflecting patterns of immigration from highly endemic countries, especially Mexico and other areas of Latin America. Antiparasitic treatment during active infections, using albendazole or praziquantel, can eradicate the parasite, may lower the risk of late complications, and potentially reduces the morbidity of acute disease. Considerable controversy persists regarding the role of antiparasitic therapy in neurocysticercosis, however. Persons with active parenchymal or extraparenchymal disease, defined by the neuroradiographic appearance of lesions, can be treated with albendazole, 15 mg/kg/d divided into two daily doses for 8 days. Patients with parenchymal disease who do not respond to albendazole can receive a second course of albendazole or praziquantel, 50 mg/kg/d divided into three daily doses for 15 days. Concurrent administration of dexamethasone in standard doses is usually required during the first several days of antiparasitic therapy to minimize the inflammation and cerebral edema associated with death of the parasites. Patients with intraventricular cysts and hydrocephalus require shunting and surgical removal of cysticerci. By contrast, persons with inactive lesions and seizures as a consequence of remote infections typically require only symptomatic therapy with standard anticonvulsants.

PM




Chin Med J (Engl). 1998 Oct;111(10):917-21.
Reevaluation of effect of albendazole on echinococcus multilocularis infection in mice and gerbils.

Liu Y, Wang X, Gao J, Yao Y, Yu D.

Institute of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect for albendazole therapy for alveolar echinococcus infection in gerbils and mice. METHODS: Mice and gerbils were infected of metacestode tissues by intraperitoneal (i.p.) transplantation and treated with albendazole-medicated feeds. The effects were evaluated by comparison of the treated and control groups in terms of host mortality, larval metastases to lungs and liver, final larval weight, histopathological, and ultrastructural examination of metacestode tissues. Viability of metacestode tissues at necropsy of treated animals was tested by intraperitoneal transplantation into uninfected animals. RESULTS: Albendazole-medicated feeds significantly inhibited larval growth of Echinococcus multilocularis (E. multilocularis) both in mice and gerbils with markedly reduced host mortality and pulmonary and liver metastases. Viability test showed that albendazole therapy was parasiticidal in early stage of experimental infection. Light microscopic and ultrastructural examination of metacestode tissues of the treated animals revealed severe destruction and massive necrosis with marked calcification of protoscoleces and residual tissues. CONCLUSION: Continuous long term albendazole therapy in animal models is parasiticidal against larval E. multilocularis especially in early stage of infection.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11189240&dopt=Abstract albendazole Albenza




Cancer Lett. 2001 Apr 10;165(1):43-9.
In vitro and in vivo suppression of growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by albendazole.

Pourgholami MH, Woon L, Almajd R, Akhter J, Bowery P, Morris DL.

Cancer Research Laboratories of The St. George Hospital, Department of Surgery, University of New South Wales, NSW 2217, Sydney, Australia.

Tubulin protein is a major target of drug molecules, and consequently, tubulin inhibitors have attracted great attention as antimitotic antitumor agents for chemotherapeutic use. It has been shown that, the benzimidazole carbamate group of antiparasitics including albendazole act by inhibiting tubulin polymerization. In this study, albendazole was tested in culture against a range of human, rat and mice hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and in vivo against human SKHEP-1 tumor growth in nude mice. Albendazole induced a dose-dependent inhibition of [(3)H]thymidine incorporation in all cell lines examined and a dramatic decline in cell numbers in SKHEP-1 cells. The inhibitory effect of albendazole was evident at the 100 nM concentration and at 1000 nM, proliferation in all cell lines examined was inhibited by more than 80%, while, proliferation of HepG2, Hep3B and SKHEP-1 were suppressed by more than 90%, compared to control. Cell cycle analysis revealed that, depending on the dose employed, albendazole can arrest SKHEP-1 cells at both G0-G1 (250 nM) and G2-M (1000 nM) phases of the cycle. Albendazole treatment (300 mg/kg per day oral for 20 days) of nude mice inoculated subcutaneously with SKHEP-1, led to profound suppression of tumor growth. Immunohistochemical analysis of these tumors revealed that compared to control, those treated with albendazole have lower growth fractions. These findings demonstrate that albendazole strongly suppresses both in vitro and in vivo proliferation of HCC cells.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11248417&dopt=Abstract albendazole Albenza




Aust Vet J. 2001 Feb;79(2):125-32.
The development and survival of three species of coprophagous insect after feeding on the faeces of sheep treated with controlled-release formulations of ivermectin or albendazole.

Wardhaugh KG, Holter P, Longstaff B.

CSIRO Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the toxicity from residues of controlled-release formulations of ivermectin and albendazole to insects that feed on sheep faeces. ANIMALS: In two consecutive years, groups of sheep were treated with controlled-release capsules of ivermectin or albendazole. Untreated sheep were used as controls. PROCEDURES: Larvae of the bush fly, Musca vetustissima, and adults and larvae of the dung beetles, Onthophagus taurus and Euoniticellus fulvus were fed on faeces collected at intervals after drug treatment. In assays using beetles, treatment effects were assessed by comparing numbers of eggs laid, survival of juveniles and survival of mature and immature adults. Survival at time of pupariation was used in assays on flies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Faeces from sheep treated with albendazole had no detectable effects on breeding by either flies or beetles. In contrast, faeces voided by sheep treated with controlled-release capsules of ivermectin (CRI) precluded successful breeding by each of the species tested. No fly larvae and almost no beetle larvae survived in faeces collected up to 39 days after capsule administration. Newly-emerged O taurus also suffered significant mortality whereas those that survived underwent delayed sexual maturation. Ivermectin residues had no effect on the survival of sexually mature beetles, but reduced the fecundity of O taurus. A model simulating the effects of drug residues on dung beetle populations indicates that CRIs have the potential to cause substantial declines in beetle numbers, particularly if treatment coincides with spring emergence.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11256284&dopt=Abstract albendazole Albenza




Int J Dermatol. 2001 Jan;40(1):67-71.
Treatment of larva migrans cutanea (creeping eruption): a comparison between albendazole and traditional therapy.

Albanese G, Venturi C, Galbiati G.

Divisione Dermosifilopatica, Micologia e Dermatologia Tropicale, Ospedale S. Gerardo, Monza (MI), Italy.

BACKGROUND: Creeping eruption (CE), which is characteristic of tropical and subtropical regions, is being increasingly frequently observed in Italy. The presence on the beaches of stray animals infected by nematodes of the Ancylostoma species favors contact between human skin and the larva-infested soil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our experience with 56 patients (13 cryotherapy, one thiabendazole together with cryotherapy, six thiabendazole, two albendazole with cryotherapy, and 34 albendazole) is described. RESULTS: A prompt and definitive cure was achieved in all 56 patients. The therapeutic effectiveness of the various methods used is therefore equivalent. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that albendazole should be considered the first choice for treatment. It is extremely well tolerated and patient compliance is good.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=11277961&dopt=Abstract albendazole Albenza




J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2002 Oct 15;30(3):801-13.
HPLC assay for albendazole and metabolites in human plasma for clinical pharmacokinetic studies.

Kitzman D, Cheng KJ, Fleckenstein L.

College of Pharmacy, The University of Iowa, S-427 Pharmacy Building, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.

A sensitive and selective HPLC chromatography method using UV detection (295 nm) was developed for the determination of albendazole, albendazole sulfoxide (ABZSO), and albendazole sulfone (ABZSO2) in human plasma. Albendazole, ABZSO, ABZSO2, and the internal standard, oxibendazole, were extracted from human plasma by loading onto a conditioned C(18) SPE cartridge, rinsing with 15% methanol, and eluting with 90% methanol. Samples were evaporated under a stream of nitrogen, reconstituted with mobile phase, 1.25% triethylamine in water-methanol-acetonitrile (72:15:13, v/v/v) (pH* 3.1), and injected onto a Waters muBondapak Phenyl 3.9 x 300 mm HPLC column. Mobile phase flow rate was 1.0 ml/min. The retention times of albendazole, ABZSO, ABZSO2, and the internal standard were approximately 24.4, 7.9, 13.4, and 11.3 min, respectively. Total run time was 30 min. The assay was linear for concentration ranges in human plasma of 20-600 ng/ml for albendazole, 20-1000 ng/ml for ABZSO, and 20-300 ng/ml for ABZSO2. The analysis of quality control samples demonstrated excellent precision. Coefficients of variation for albendazole (20, 400, 600 ng/ml) were 6.7, 8.1 and 7.0%; ABZSO (20, 400, 800 ng/ml) were 6.0, 8.5 and 5.9%; ABZSO2 (20, 150, 300 ng/ml) were 3.1, 3.9 and 2.3%, respectively. The method appears to be robust and has been applied to a pharmacokinetic study of albendazole in healthy volunteers. Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science B.V.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12367706&dopt=Abstract albendazole Albenza