The effect of artemisinin on granulocyte function assessed by flow cytometry.
The effect of dihydroartemisinin, artemisinin and artesunate (0.1, 0.5, 5 and 50 mg/L) on phagocytic function and release of reactive oxygen products by neutrophils was studied by flow cytometry. Incubation with dihydroartemisinin, artemisinin and artemether resulted in a decreased capacity to phagocytose Escherichia coli (0.1-50 mg/L: 62-40%, 66-32% and 59-47% of the control values, respectively; P < 0.001 for all). Conversely, the derivatives enhanced the intracellular generation of reactive oxygen intermediates (0.1-50 mg/L: 146-140%, 174-197% and 188-136% of the control values, respectively; P < 0.001 for all). Artemisia derivatives enhance the reactive oxygen response of neutrophils but depress their phagocytic ability at therapeutic blood levels.
Wenisch
C
C
Department of Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine I, University Hospital of Vienna, Austria.
Parschalk
B
B
Zedwitz-Liebenstein
K
K
Wernsdorfer
W
W
Graninger
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000962:Antimalarials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D037621:Artemisinins; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010587:Phagocytosis / Q000187:drug effects; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000494:pharmacology*
D000962:Antimalarials; D037621:Artemisinins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; C031327:artemisinin