Studies on chemotherapy of parasitic helminths (VII). Effects of various cholinergic agents on the motility of Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

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Abstract
Effects of various cholinergic agents on the motility of A. cantonensis were studied to define the neuropharmacological properties of this worm. Stimulation of the motility and/or contraction was shown by eserine, ACh [acetylcholine], carbachol, nicotine, DMPP [1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide] pyrantel, and Ba2+, but not by pilocarpine and McN-A-343 [methylammonium chloride]. Contraction was similarly observed by these agents in the preparations paralyzed with praziquantel. Paralysis was caused remarkably by d-tubocurarine and slightly by succinylcholine, while the contraction induced by eserine and DMPP was little influenced by these drugs. Both the motility and the eserine-induced contraction were little influenced by hexamethonium, but stimulated remarkably by atropine. Though hemicholinium, morphine and picrate showed little effect, guanidine stimulated remarkably the motility and also the eserine-induced contraction. The stimulatory action of guanidine was antagonized by strychnine. Strychnine paralyzed the motility, and the eserine-induced contraction was antagonized by the pre- and posttreatment with strychnine. Apparently, the excitatory cholinergic mechanism in A. cantonensis is nicotinic, and it is basically similar to that reported in Ascaris suum.

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