HISTOLOGICAL AND HISTOCHEMICAL CHANGES OF SCHISTOSOMA JAPONICUM AND HOST LIVER CAUSED BY ARTEMETHER

Histological and histochemical changes of Schistosoma japonicum and mouse liver were observed in experimental chemotherapy with artemether at two daily doses of 300 mg/kg/day.The results showed that artemether caused degeneration in the integument, intestine and genital gland of the hepatic-shifted worms and exhibited patent schistosomacidal effect which was faster and stronger to female worms than to males. The contents of glycogen and RNA, the activity of AKP and phenolase of the hepaticshifted worms were markedly decreased or even disappeared after treatment with artemether. Furthermore, the histochemical changes of female worms occurred earlier than those of male worms. Hydropic degeneration of the liver cells of infected mice was also observed. The glycogen and RNA contents and the AKP activity in liver were greatly decreased or disappeared.