Impact of Calcium Channel Blockers on Murine Trichinellosis

Essentially, Trichinella spiralis is considered to be a re-emerging intestinal and tissue parasitic nematode that causes serious foodborne infections worldwide. To evaluate the role of a commonly used Calcium Channel Blocker (CCB) (nifedipine) on muscular phase of murine trichinellosis utilizing parasitological and histopathological parameters. The study was carried out on 45 Swiss albino mice. The infection was done orally for the infected groups with about 250 ±50 Trichinella spiralis larvae (TSL). Sacrification of mice was done on the 35th day post-infection (PI). Detection and counting the number of larvae in the diaphragm of mice of each group were done microscopically and specimens were taken and fixed in 10% formalin to detect histopathological changes. The study revealed that nifedipine has reduction rate (67.96%) on Trichinella larvae count in diaphragm. Histopathological examination revealed mild reduction of inflammatory reactions. Nifedipine has been concluded to be used in the treatment of trichinellosis, to reduce the number of larvae and to improve pathological changes.