Effects of chloroquine on polyamines and nucleic acid of malaria parasites
Huang, Z.Y.; Fu, X.L.; Wu, K.Y.; Wang, J.J.
Zhongguo Yao Li Xue Bao 8(1): 63-68
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0253-9756 PMID: 2440236 Document Number: 291327
Three polyamines-putrescine (PTC), spermidine (SPD), and spermine (SPM)-are found ubiquitously in low concentrations in erythrocytes (rbc) of animals. When mice were infected with Plasmodium yoelii or P. berghei, the contents of polyamines rose sharply. The polyamine levels in rbc infected with chloroquine(CQ)-resistant strain of P. berghei were found to be PTC 27, SPD 513 and SPM 111 nmol/109 rbc, respectively. In contrast, the polyamine levels in P. yoelii-infected rbc were lower (PTC 10, SPD 102 and SPM 20 nmol/109 rbc). CQ inhibited the metabolism of polyamines in P. yoelii and CQ-sensitive strain of P. berghei, but not in CQ-resistant strain of P. berghei. After im CQ, the contents of DNA and RNA in malaria parasites remained unchanged, even though the metabolism of polyamines were significantly affected. By the Nakao's method the recovery rate of rbc was higher (78%) and wbc was removed more effectively. Therefore, the Nakao's method was better than the conventional method using CF-11 chromatography.