Primaquine can mediate hydroxyl radical generation by Trypanosoma cruzi extracts.
Primaquine increases the NAD(P)H dependent oxygen consumption and hydroxyl radical generation by extracts of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease. Spin-trapping studies show that hydroxyl radical yield is completely inhibited by catalase and slightly increased by SOD, indicating that radical generation is dependent on the pair primaquine-NAD(P)H and their interaction product, H2O2. Primaquine effects upon Trypanosoma cruzi extracts are compared with those obtained with nifurtimox, a compound effective in the treatment of Chagas' disease. The observed similarity suggests that hydroxyl radical may be involved in the antiprotozoan activity of primaquine.
D000818:Animals; D004578:Electron Spin Resonance Spectroscopy; D005609:Free Radicals; D006878:Hydroxides; D009249:NADP / Q000378:metabolism; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000187:drug effects; D011319:Primaquine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014349:Trypanosoma cruzi / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism
D005609:Free Radicals; D006878:Hydroxides; D009249:NADP; D011319:Primaquine