Studies on chemotherapy of parasitic helminths (VIII). Effects of some possible neurotransmitters on the motility of Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

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Abstract
Effects of some possible neurotransmitters such as GABA, adrenergic drugs and 5-HT [5-hydroxy-tryptamine] and their antagonists on the motility of A. cantonensis were studied. Paralysis was caused by GABA, avermectin Bia (Av-Bia), piperazine and .alpha.-adrenergic agonists such as adrenaline [epinephrine], noradrenaline [norepinephrine], phenylephrine, clonidine and methoxamine, but not by .beta.-adrenergic agonists such as isoproterenol. The paralysis by GABA or Av-Bia was antagonized by GABA antagonists such as picrotoxin and/or bicuculline with cholinergic agents such as N-methylcytisine (N-MC) or eserine. The paralysis elicited by .alpha.-adrenergic agonists was antagonized by .alpha.-adrenergic antagonists such as phentolamine and dibenamine, but not by .beta.-adrenergic antagonists such as propranolol. 5-HT affected the motility of A. cantonensis paralytically or spastically. The paralysis induced by 5-HT was antagonized by .alpha.-adrenergic antagonists such as phentolamine and dibenamine, while the contraction induced by this compound was further stimulated by N-MC, but antagonized by strychnine. Other agents such as glutamine, glycine, aspartic acid, taurine and substance P showed little effect on the motility of A. cantonensis. Apparently A. cantonensis is useful as an excellent nematode model for the investigation of anthelminthics. This worm may be a useful screening model for drugs affecting the CNS in mammals.

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