Effect of beta-arteether treatment on erythrocytic methemoglobin reductase system in Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis infected mice.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The methemoglobin reductase system plays a vital role in maintaining the equilibrium between hemoglobin (Hb) and methemoglobin (MetHb) in blood. Exposure of red blood cells to an oxidative stress (pathological/physiological) may cause impairment in this equilibrium.

OBJECTIVE:

The status of MetHb and the related reductase system was studied during Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis (P. y. nigeriensis) infection and beta-arteether treatment in mice.

METHODS:

Mice were divided into four groups. Normal group, normal mice treated with beta-arteether, P. y. nigeriensis infected mice and P. y. nigeriensis infected mice treated with beta-arteether.

RESULTS:

The present investigation revealed a marked decrease in the activity of MetHb reductase, with concomitant rise in MetHb levels during P. y. nigeriensis infection in mice erythrocytes (P < 0.001) as compared to normal mice. However, the activities of the associated enzymes viz., lactate dehydrogenase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase were found to be increased with progressive rise in parasitemia. beta-Arteether treatment (12.5 mg/kg body weight) of infected mice (parasitemia 20-25%) from day 5 of post infection resulted in complete clearance of parasitemia on day 7 of post infection, which was accompanied by restoration of all the altered above mentioned indices to near normal levels as compared to infected mice (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

These results suggest that there is a marked impairment of methemoglobin and methemoglobin reductase system during P. y. nigeriensis infection in mice. beta-Arteether treatment of infected mice resulted in complete clearance of parasitemia which also caused the restoration of methemoglobin and methemoglobin reductase system to near normal levels.

• Authors: S Srivastava, A S Alhomida, N J Siddiqi, V C Pandey, S K Puri
• Journal: Drug and chemical toxicology (Drug Chem Toxicol) Vol. 24 Issue 2 Pg. 181-90 (May 2001) ISSN: 0148-0545 [Print] United States
• PMID: 11360434 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antimalarials
• Artemisinins
• Sesquiterpenes
• Cytochrome-B(5) Reductase
• artemotil

Topics

• Animals
• Antimalarials (therapeutic use)
• Artemisinins
• Cytochrome-B(5) Reductase (metabolism)
• Erythrocytes (drug effects, enzymology)
• Malaria (blood, drug therapy, enzymology)
• Mice
• Parasitemia
• Plasmodium yoelii
• Sesquiterpenes (therapeutic use)
• Time Factors