Abstract
The bisquinoline drug dequalinium (DQ) has demonstrated remarkable activity against some infection diseases, including malaria. Oxidative stress represents a biochemical target for potential antimalarials. In this work, we have tested the ability of this compound to modify the oxidative status in Plasmodium berghei-infected erythrocytes. After hemolysis, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione cycle, and dehydrogenase enzymes were investigated. The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGLD) in infected cells were diminished by this drug compared to controls (300% and 80% approximately, respectively), while glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione transferase (GST), and glutathione levels were also lowered. As a compensatory response, we could appreciate an increase of SOD activity (20% approximately) in infected cells treated with DQ; however, catalase was not affected by the compound. Lipid peroxidation was also decreased by this drug, protecting the cells from the hemolysis caused by the infection. In conclusion, oxidative stress represents a biochemical event which is modulated by DQ, interfering with the antioxidant regular activities in P. berghei infection.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Neuropeptide Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Central University of Venezuela, for the disposition of the microplate spectrophotometer. This work was supported by Consejo de Desarrollo Científico y Humanístico (CDCH), Universidad Central de Venezuela (Grants PG-CDCH-06.30.5125-2003). The experiments complied with the current laws in Venezuela.
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Rodrigues, J.R., Gamboa, N.D. Effect of dequalinium on the oxidative stress in Plasmodium berghei-infected erythrocytes. Parasitol Res 104, 1491–1496 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-009-1355-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-009-1355-7