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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 7, 2009; 15(1): 112-116
Published online Jan 7, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.112
Use of albendazole sulfoxide, albendazole sulfone, and combined solutions as scolicidal agents on hydatid cysts (in vitro study)
Gokhan Adas, Soykan Arikan, Ozgur Kemik, Ali Oner, Nilgun Sahip, Oguzhan Karatepe
Gokhan Adas, Soykan Arikan, Ozgur Kemik, Ali Oner, Nilgun Sahip, Oguzhan Karatepe, Okmeydani Training Hospital, Okmeydani/Sisli, Istanbul 34715, Turkey
Author contributions: Author contributions: Adas G and Karatepe O contributed equally to this work; Adas G and Arikan S performed research; Kemik O and Oner A contributed new reagents/analytic tools; Adas G and Karatepe O wrote the paper; Karatepe O made corrections and performed English editing.
Correspondence to: Dr. Oguzhan Karatepe, Okmeydani Training Hospital, Okmeydani/Sisli, Istanbul 34715, Turkey. drkaratepe99@hotmail.com
Telephone: +90-533-5408070
Fax: +90-216-361214
Received: September 6, 2008
Revised: November 7, 2008
Accepted: November 14, 2008
Published online: January 7, 2009
Abstract

AIM: To establish which scolicidal agents are superior and more suitable for regular use.

METHODS: Echinococcus granulosus protoscoleces were obtained from 25 patients with liver hydatid cysts. Various concentrations of albendazole sulfone, albendazole sulfoxide, and albendazole sulfone and albendazole sulfoxide mixed together in concentrations of 50 &mgr;g/mL, and H2O2 in a concentration of 4%, NaCl 20%, and 1.5% cetrimide-0.15% chlorhexidine (10% Savlon-Turkey) were used to determine the scolicidal effects. Albendazole (ABZ) derivatives and other scolicidal agents were applied to a minimum of 100 scoleces for 5 and 10 min. The degree of viability was calculated according to the number of living scolices per field from a total of 100 scolices observed under the microscope.

RESULTS: After 5 min, ABZ sulfone was 97.3% effective, ABZ sulfoxide was 98.4% effective, and the combined solution was 98.6% effective. When sulfone, sulfoxide and the combined solutions were compared, the combined solution seemed more effective than sulfone. However, there was no difference when the combined solution was compared with sulfoxide. After 10 min, hypertonic salt water, sulfone, sulfoxide, and the combined solution compared to other solutions looked more effective and this was statistically significant on an advanced level. When sulfone, sulfoxide, and the combined solutions were compared with each other, the combined solution appeared more effective than sulfone. When the combined solution was compared with sulfoxide, there was no difference.

CONCLUSION: Despite being active, ABZ metabolites did not provide a marked advantage over 20% hypertonic saline. According to these results, we think creating a newly improved and more active preparation is necessary for hydatid cyst treatment.

Keywords: Hydatid disease; Albendazole; In vitro study; Combined solution; Scolicidal agents