In vitro effect of benzimidazole drugs on the enzymes of lipid metabolism in Trichuris globulosa

The effects of 2 benzimidazole drugs, fenbendazole and thiabendazole, on the enzymes of lipid metabolism of an intestinal nematode parasite, Trichuris globulosa, have been studied. In vitro addition of these drugs inhibited the activity of these enzymes in both male and female worms. Inhibition is competitive in the case of the lipogenic enzymes, malate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase; whereas, it is noncompetitive in the case of the lipolytic enzyme, triacylglycerol lipase. Cholesterol biosynthesis is, however, not affected.