Diethylcarbamazine modulates the antioxidant enzyme activity in proxy host mice infected with the Setaria microfilariae

The common filarial worm of cattle, , whose larvae are known as , are discovered in the blood and peritoneum and cause a condition known as cerebrospinal nematodiasis. There is an unavoidable need for prompt detection and treatment of these filarial diseases. Infections caused by a variety of filarial species have traditionally been treated with diethylcarbamazine (DEC). The most notable aspect of DEC is that, , it appears to have little effect on filarial parasites. However, DEC may act on the parasite's surface, unmasking antigen. This study was initiated to evaluate the effect of DEC on the antioxidant enzyme activities, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Catalase (CAT) of mice infected with (Mf). was collected and the Mf was isolated and injected into Swiss-bred mice for 12 days. The animals were grouped as Control, Control +DEC, Control + Mf, and Control+Mf+DEC. The results showed that CAT activity in the peritoneal fluid of Control+Mf+DEC was found to be elevated at a higher level compared to the control. The activity in the Control+DEC and Control+Mf mice showed similar values. SOD activity in the peritoneal fluid of Control+Mf+DEC mice remained elevated from the 1 day to the 12 day compared to the control. Though DEC alone treated mice did not show any profound increase in the activity of these enzymes. The rise in SOD level during the 3 and 5 day of the DEC-treated infected mice may be due to the production of active oxygen species. Proposed to occur as a result of a tilt in the biochemical balance of the cells towards the oxidative damage, failing which decreased removal of free radicals leading to tissue damage results. The result showed that the DEC treatment may be affecting the survival of the Mf shown by the increased antioxidant enzymes which may be due to the inflammation caused by the excretory products of Mf.