Abstract

P. C. Chikezie1*, A. A. Uwakwe and C. C. Monago

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 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.