Abstract

In vivo investigations were carried out to ascertain the comparative levels of erythrocyte GST activity between non-malarious and malarious male subjects of HbAA, HbAS and HbSS erythrocyte genotypes, administered with fansidar and quinine. The incubation of human erythrocytes with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) resulted in almost quantitative conjugation of glutathione (GSH) to form S-(2,4-dinitrophenyl) glutathione. Determination of GST activity was carried out at 0, 3, 6 and 18 h, after two antimalarial drugs (Fansidar and quinine) were adminis-tered to the volunteers. The control values of non-malarious and malarious individuals ranged between (3.27 to 12.50 iu/gHb) and (2.75 to 12.21 -iu/gHb) respectively. Erythrocyte GST activity was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in P. falciparum infected red cells compared to normal ones, except parasitized male HbSS erythrocytes. Generally, the pattern of in vivo erythrocyte GST activity in the presence of the 2 antimalarial drugs showed 2 phase profile. The first stage showed decreasing levels of relative GST activity within approximate time range of 6 h after the drugs were administered to the volunteers. The second phase showed recovery of erythrocyte GST activity (6 - 18 h approx.) from the inhibitory effects of the drugs.

Key words: Glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, erythrocytes, fansidar, quinine, 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB).