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Prevention of red cell
lysis in artesunate-treated rats: A role for
glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase
Toyin M. Salman
Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences,
University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. E-mail:
drsalman111@yahoo.com.
Tel: +2348032337422.
Accepted
5 September, 2008 |
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The effects of artesunate were investigated on red blood cell
count and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in male
rats. Twelve (12) male rats were divided into two groups of
six (6) rats each. Group 1 rats were control rats which
received normal saline while group 2 rats were treated with
artesunate orally for five (5) days. 2.90 mg/kg of
artesunate was given on the first day of treatment and 1.45
mg/kg was given on the subsequent four days. The results
showed that artesunate induced a 25-fold increase (p<0.001)
in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity while there
was no significant reduction in the red blood cell count.
The results suggest a role for glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase in the prevention of lysis of the red blood
cells that may result from treatment with artesunate.
Key
words:
Artesunate, red blood cell, glucose-6-phosphate
dehydrogenase, rat. |
