Oltipraz-induced reduction in schistosomal glucose utilization rates.

The rate of phosphorylation of 2-deoxyglucose (2DG) was determined by sequential pulsing of schistosomes (male and female Schistosoma mansoni) with [3H- and 14C]-2-deoxy-D-glucose. The relative phosphorylation rate of 2-[3H]-2DG to 1-[14C]-D-glucose (i.e. the phosphorylation coefficient) was also measured in male and female schistosomes. Even though 2DG is taken up more rapidly than glucose, it is phosphorylated at a much slower rate in S. mansoni. Mated schistosomes phosphorylate 2DG and glucose at a greater rate than do unmated worms. In contrast, the phosphorylation coefficient is greater in separated than mated schistosomes. In schistosomes exposed to oltipraz for short time periods (6 min, at a concentration of 10 micrograms/ml) glucose utilization rates were significantly reduced in (both mated and separated) female S. mansoni and by a similar magnitude (not significant) in males.