EFFECT OF β-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 β-arteether treatment in mice. Methods:Mice were divided into four groups. Normal group, normal mice treated withβ-arteether, P. y. nigeriensis infected mice and P. y. nigeriensis infected mice treated with β-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.β-Arteether treatment (12.5 mg/kg body weight) of infected mice (parasitemia20–25%) 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. β-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.