Effect of dequalinium on the oxidative stress in Plasmodium berghei-infected erythrocytes

• Published in: Parasitology research (1987) 2009-06, Vol.104 (6), p.1491-1496
• Main Authors: Rodrigues, Juan R, Gamboa, Neira D
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Anti-Infective Agents, Local - pharmacology; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Catalase - metabolism; Dequalinium - pharmacology; Erythrocytes - parasitology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General aspects; General aspects and techniques. Study of several systematic groups. Models; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase - metabolism; Glutathione - metabolism; Glutathione Peroxidase - metabolism; Glutathione Transferase - metabolism; Immunology; Invertebrates; Lipid Peroxidation - drug effects; Male; Medical Microbiology; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Microbiology; Original Paper; Oxidative Stress; Phosphogluconate Dehydrogenase - metabolism; Plasmodium berghei - drug effects; Superoxide Dismutase - metabolism
• ISSN: 0932-0113; 1432-1955
• DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1355-7

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.