Abstract

P. C. Chikezie *, A. A. Uwakweand C. C. Monago

In vivo investigations were carried out to ascertain the comparative levels of erythrocyte GST activity between nonmalarious 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 h and after 3, 6 and 18 h, 2 antimalarial drugs (Fansidar and quinine) were administered 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 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