Modulatory potential of iron chelation therapy on nitric oxide formation in cerebral malaria.
To determine whether iron chelation modulates nitric oxide (NO) formation and cell-mediated immune effector function in children with cerebral malaria, serum concentrations were measured of the stable end products of NO, nitrite and nitrate (NO2-/NO3-), interleukin (IL)-4, -6, and -10, and neopterin in 39 Zambian children enrolled in a placebo-controlled trial of desferrioxamine B and quinine therapy. Mean concentrations of NO2-/NO3- increased significantly over 3 days in children receiving desferrioxamine plus quinine but not in those given placebo and quinine. Neopterin levels declined significantly with placebo but not with desferrioxamine. IL-4 levels increased progressively in the placebo group and ultimately decreased in the desferrioxamine group, but the trends were not statistically significant. IL-6 and IL-10 levels were elevated initially and decreased significantly in both groups over 3 days. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that iron chelation therapy in children with cerebral malaria strengthens Th1-mediated immune effector function involving increased production of NO.
Weiss
G
G
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, University of Innsbruck, Austria.
Thuma
P E
PE
Mabeza
G
G
Werner
E R
ER
Herold
M
M
Gordeuk
V R
VR
D001708:Biopterins / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D015913:Chelation Therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003676:Deferoxamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000097:blood; D007378:Interleukins / Q000097:blood; D007501:Iron; D016779:Malaria, Cerebral / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D019798:Neopterin; D009566:Nitrates / Q000097:blood; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology
D007378:Interleukins; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D015847:Interleukin-4; D001708:Biopterins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D019798:Neopterin; D007501:Iron; D003676:Deferoxamine