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Comparative methaemoglobin concentrations of three
erythrocyte genotypes (HbAA, HbAS and HbSS) of male
participants administered with five antimalarial drugs
P.C. Chikezie
Department
of Biochemistry, Imo State University, Owerri, Imo State,
Nigeria.
E-mail:
p_chikezie@yahoo.com. Tel:
+23408038935327.
Accepted
29 June, 2009 |
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In the
present in-vivo study, the capacities of five
antimalarial drugs (Fansidar, Halfan, Quinine, Coartem and
Chloroquine phosphate) to alter/distort methaemoglobin
concentrations of three human erythrocyte genotypes (HbAA,
HbAS and HbSS) was investigated. Spectrophotometric method
was used to ascertain this erythrocyte parameter. The male
participants enrolled for this study were grouped according
to their genotypes, pathologic status, (that is,
non-malarious and malarious individuals). Determination of
erythrocyte methaemoglobin concentration was carried out
before (control; t = 0 h) and after (tests; that is, at t =
3, 6 and 18 h) the five (5) antimalarial drugs were
administered to various corresponding groups of
participants. The results showed that methaemoglobin
concentrations of these individuals ranged between
1.45+/-0.13 and 2.50+/-0.43%; 8.27+/-2.41 and 14.78+/-2.45%,
for non-malarious and malarious male individuals
respectively. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05)
between methaemoglobin concentrations of HbAA and HbAS
erythrocyte of non-malarious participants. The doses of the
five antimalarial drugs administered to non-malarious
individuals did not cause toxic methaemoglobinemia. Under
the same experimental conditions, erythrocytes obtained from
persons of HbSS genotype exhibited significant (p < 0.05)
elevation of methaemoglobin concentration. Relatively high
levels of methaemoglobin concentration of parasitized red
blood cells decreased in a time dependent manner after
administration of the five antimalarial drugs. Therefore,
erythrocyte methaemoglobin evaluation is a reliable
biochemical marker and rational for diagnostic and
therapeutic potential in malaria. Furthermore, moderate
increases of erythrocyte methaemoglobin in HbSS individuals
served as point of caution when administering these drugs to
this category of human subjects.
Key
words:
Antimalarials, erythrocyte, malaria, genotype,
methaemoglobin . |
