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A new methodology for evaluation of nematode viability
Sebastião Rodrigo Ferreira1, Tiago Antônio Oliveira Mendes1, Lilian Lacerda Bueno1
1Departamento de Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, Pampulha, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Biomed Research International
|April 14, 2015
Summary
This study introduces fluorimetric techniques using Sytox and propidium iodide to assess nematode viability after anthelmintic drug treatment. The methods efficiently evaluated drug effects on Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) larvae, aiding new drug development.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Nematode infections cause significant economic losses in livestock and pose a public health risk.
- Drug resistance in nematodes necessitates the development of novel anthelmintic compounds.
- Accurate methods for evaluating anthelmintic efficacy are crucial for drug development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of fluorimetric techniques using Sytox and propidium iodide for assessing C. elegans larval viability.
- To evaluate the impact of anthelmintic drugs (ivermectin, albendazole sulfoxide) on nematode viability using these methods.
- To establish a reliable, economical, and efficient methodology for nematode viability testing.
Main Methods:
- Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) larvae were treated with varying concentrations of ivermectin and albendazole sulfoxide.
- Larval viability was assessed using fluorimetric staining with Sytox and propidium iodide.
- Densitometric analysis of stained larvae and motility tests were performed for comparison.
Main Results:
- Both Sytox and propidium iodide effectively stained dead C. elegans larvae treated with anthelmintics.
- Densitometric values correlated positively with the concentration of dead larvae for both markers.
- Lower drug concentrations affected cellular transport, while higher concentrations were needed to damage cell integrity.
Conclusions:
- Fluorimetric techniques with Sytox and propidium iodide provide an easy, economical, and reproducible method for evaluating nematode viability.
- This methodology is suitable for screening new anthelmintic compounds.
- The findings highlight differential effects of anthelmintics on cellular transport versus cell integrity.
