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The Journal of General Physiology, Vol 33, 475-495, Copyright © 1950 by The Rockefeller University Press

ARTICLE

CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM OF SCHISTOSOMA MANSONI

Ernest Bueding 1

1 From the Department of Pharmacology, Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland

1. Schistosoma mansoni utilizes in 1 hour an amount of glucose equivalent to one-sixth to one-fifth of its dry weight. Over 80 per cent of the metabolized glucose is converted to lactic acid by this organism.

2. The rates of glucose utilization and of lactic acid production by S. mansoni are the same under aerobic and under anaerobic conditions.

3. A high rate of lactic acid production and the absence of a postanaerobic increase in the oxygen uptake differentiate S. mansoni from most other parasitic helminths whose metabolism has been studied.

4. Arsenite and p-chloromercuric benzoate inhibit in low concentrations the oxygen uptake and the rate of glycolysis of S. mansoni. This inhibition is not prevented or reversed by an excess of glutathione or of thioglycollate.

5. Fluoride inhibits the removal of glucose and the production of lactic acid by S. mansoni to the same degree.

6. Low concentrations of quinacrine (atabrine) do not affect the respiration or the carbohydrate metabolism of the schistosomes.

7. The inhibitory effect of aldehydes on the metabolism of S. mansoni has been measured. Among this group of compounds dl-glyceraldehyde and o-nitrobenzaldehyde are the most effective inhibitors of glycolysis.

8. In a concentration of 2.6 x 10–6 M (1:1,000,000) a cyanine dye inhibits almost completely the respiration of the schistosomes, but has no effect on their rate of glycolysis. The oxygen uptake of the worms is inhibited by fuadin to a greater degree than their rate of glycolysis. 2-methyl-1,4-napthoquinone is a much more effective inhibitor of glycolysis than of the respiration of S. mansoni. The latter compound interacts with plasma albumin and, therefore, its inhibitory action on the metabolism of the schistosomes is greatly reduced in human serum or plasma.

9. Evidence is discussed which indicates that, in contrast to glycolysis, respiratory metabolism is not essential for the survival of S. mansoni.

Submitted on December 1, 1949


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