Studies on erythrocytic methemoglobin reductase systems in Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis infected mice
Srivastava, S.; Alhomida, A.S.; Siddiqi, N.J.
In Vivo 14(4): 547-550
2000
ISSN/ISBN: 0258-851X PMID: 10945172 Document Number: 518204
Background: The methemoglobin reductase system plays a vital role in maintaining the equilibrium between hemoglobin and methemoglobin in blood. Exposure of red blood cells to oxidative stress (pathological/physiological) causes an impairment in this equilibrium. Objective: To study the status of methemoglobin and the related reductase system during Plasmodium yoelii nigeriensis (P. y. nigeriensis) infection in mice. Method: Mice were divided into two groups viz., normal mice and P. y. nigeriensis infected mice. Malaria infection was induced by intraperitoneal inoculation of 106 infected erythrocytes. Results: The present investigation revealed significant decrease in the activity of methemoglobin reductase, with concomitant rise in methemoglobin content during P. y. nigeriensis infection in mice erythrocytes. This was accompanied with a significant increase in reduced glutathione and ascorbic acid levels. Also the activities of the associated enzyme viz., lactate dehydrogenase, glucose-6-Phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase were found to increase with progressive rise in parasitemia. Conclusion: P. y. nigeriensis infection in mice results in impairment of methemoglobin reductase in the host.