Abstract：To investigate the effect of mebendazole(MD) and albendazole(AD) on the contents of trace elements,such as zinc,copper and iron,in hair of mice infected with Trichinella spiralis,mice were divided into 7 groups and infected with muscle larvae of T.spiralis to establish the infection model with different degree of infectivity.Seven weeks after infection,MD or AD at a single oral dose of 50 mg/kg was given to the infected mice,and the blank and the un-infected groups were set up as controls.The contents of zinc,copper and iron in hair of mice were determined and the pathological changes in mouse diaphragm were observed,15 weeks after infection.It was demonstrated that the zinc,copper and iron contents in hair of the infected mice were reduced in comparison with those of the control groups of mice(P<0.05),in which the reduction of trace element contents in the heavily infected group of mice appeared to be more significant than those in the lightly infected group(P<0.05).However,after administration of MD or AD,these contents were markedly elevated 7 weeks after infection,with a significant difference to the un-treated infected group of mice.Pathologic examination revealed a light inflammatory reactions around larvae and cysts in the treated groups of mice,and the pellucid zone and sedimentation of calcium salts could be demonstrated.It is concluded treatment with mebendazole or albendazole in the T.spiralis-infected mice can relieve the degree of lesions and elevate the zinc,copper and iron contents in hair of the infected mice with a reduced content of these 3 trace elements.
