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S R Meshnick

Publications and source records attributed to S R Meshnick.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources
PubMed1990

Antimalarial activity of diethyldithiocarbamate. Potentiation by copper.

The antimalarial activity of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) in vitro was potentiated by subtoxic concentrations of copper. DDC was also more potent in the presence of an intracellular source of copper, such as when parasites were grown in superoxide dismutase (SOD)-loaded erythrocytes. These data suggest that DDC forms a complex with copper, either intracellularly or extracellularly, which is toxic to malarial parasites. The exact cause of this toxicity is not known, but may be due to a membrane effect, since DDC and copper, in combination, exert a potent lytic effect on normal human erythrocytes.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Chloroquine as intercalator: a hypothesis revived.

The mode of action of chloroquine is still controversial. Proposed mechanisms of action include (1) DNA intercalation, (2) lysosome accumulation and (3) binding to ferriprotoporphyrin IX. Recent data suggest that intercalation into parasite DNA can occur at physiological concentrations of the drug. Furthermore, structure-activity relationship studies are most consistent with the intercalation mechanism. Regardless of which mechanism is correct, the selective toxicity of chloroquine for malaria parasites is probably due to permease-mediated uptake.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1990

Parasite uptake of desferroxamine: a prerequisite for antimalarial activity.

Desferroxamine has been shown to exhibit potent antimalarial activity. However, it is unclear as to whether desferroxamine functions by the chelation of extracellular, intra-erythrocytic, or parasite-associated iron. In order to determine desferroxamine's site of action, we have employed a large molecular weight dextran derivative of desferroxamine (70 kDa) and a reversible osmotic lysis technique by which erythrocytes were intracellularly loaded with this chelator. The desferroxamine-dextran derivative has virtually identical iron-binding characteristics to desferroxamine but, unlike desferroxamine, it is unable to cross the erythrocyte membrane. As previously shown, desferroxamine added to culture media exhibited potent antimalarial activity (mean effective inhibitory dose (ED50) approximately 6 microM). However, extracellular desferroxamine-dextran showed antimalarial activity only at very high doses (ED50 greater than or equal to 180 microM), indicating that extracellular iron chelation is not involved in the antimalarial activity of desferroxamine. The intra-erythrocytic entrapment of the desferroxamine-dextran derivative also had no significant effect, except at very high concentrations, demonstrating that desferroxamine does not remove a non-haem iron source necessary for malarial replication. The results of this study clearly suggests that the antimalarial activity of desferroxamine is directly related to its ability to enter the parasitic compartment and not due to the chelation of extra- or intra-erythrocytic iron pools necessary for malarial growth.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

In vitro effects of primaquine and primaquine metabolites on exoerythrocytic stages of Plasmodium berghei.

The antimalarial activities of primaquine and its metabolites against exoerythrocytic (EE) stages of Plasmodium berghei in vitro were compared with their abilities to spontaneously generate activated oxygen. A quantitative relationship between the number of sporozoites and the number of EE merozoites produced was established. The reduction in the number of merozoites was used as an assay of drug activity. The ED50 of primaquine, 3.7-3.9 x 10(-6) M, was the concentration of drug that reduced the number of merozoites to 50% of controls. Several of the primaquine metabolites were much more potent than primaquine, with ED50s as low as 2 x 10(-7) M. Metabolites containing the 4-amino-1-methylbutyl side chain were most effective in vitro. Superoxide generation was measured for the various metabolites. In general, superoxide generation did not correlate with antimalarial activity. However, for the 3 metabolites with 4-amino-1-methylbutyl side chains, there was a correlation between superoxide generation and antimalarial activity.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Binding of chloroquine to DNA.

Three diverse mechanisms have been proposed to explain the antimalarial activity of chloroquine: binding to DNA, binding to hemin, or alkalinizing parasite lysosomes. In order to assess the importance of DNA binding, we have measured the affinity of DNA for chloroquine by equilibrium dialysis using tritiated chloroquine. The dissociation constant of the DNA-chloroquine complex varied from 27 microM to 2.6 mM, depending on the ionic strength of the buffer. Our results suggest that chloroquine binding to DNA is highly dependent on salt concentration. Nevertheless, because of the large number of sites present, binding to parasite DNA may still account for the antimalarial activity of chloroquine.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Superoxide dismutase amplifies organismal sensitivity to ionizing radiation.

Although increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity is often associated with enhanced resistance of cells and organisms to oxidant challenges, few direct tests of the antioxidant importance of this enzyme have been carried out. To assess the importance of SOD in defending against gamma-radiation, we employed Escherichia coli with deficient, normal, and super-normal enzyme activities. Surprisingly, the radiation sensitivity of E. coli actually increases as bacterial SOD activity increases. Elevated intracellular SOD activity sensitizes E. coli to radiation-induced mortality, whereas SOD-deficient bacteria show normal or decreased radiosensitivity. Toxic effects of activated oxygen species are involved in this phenomenon; bacterial SOD activity has no effect on radiation sensitivity under anaerobic conditions or on the lethality of other, non-oxygen-dependent, toxins such as ultraviolet radiation.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1989

Plasmodium falciparum: inhibitor sensitivity of the endogenous superoxide dismutase.

Plasmodium falciparum, unlike P. berghei, contains two superoxide dismutases (SOD). We have previously found that the major isozyme is cyanide sensitive and appears, like the P. berghei SOD, to be adopted from its host, whereas the minor isozyme was found to be cyanide insensitive. We now report that the minor parasite-associated enzyme is peroxide insensitive, suggesting that it is manganese containing.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

Qinghaosu-mediated oxidation in normal and abnormal erythrocytes.

Qinghaosu, a potent antimalarial agent, has recently been shown to act via oxidative mechanisms. Hence, we have investigated what effect qinghaosu has on cellular oxidation in normal and oxidant-sensitive red blood cells (RBCs). At 500 mumol/L, qinghaosu was found to directly alter red cell deformability (DI) in both normal (hemoglobin AA) and abnormal (hemoglobins SS, AE, and EE) RBCs, with the maximum DI being 70% to 80% of that of untreated RBCs. Although concentrations of less than or equal to 200 mumol/L qinghaosu had a minimal effect on the maximum DI, qinghaosu was found to act as an efficient prooxidant at these concentrations. Cellular deformability was lost more rapidly in response to exogenous oxidants in the qinghaosu-treated RBCs than in control cells. Hemoglobin SS and EE RBCs pretreated with qinghaosu demonstrated a much more rapid decrease in cellular deformability than did the control RBCs in response to exogenous oxidants. Additionally, qinghaosu resulted in a dose-dependent increase in red cell lysis and methemoglobin generation while decreasing reduced glutathione concentration. As a consequence of qinghaosu challenge, a decrease in unsaturated fatty acids was noted. Deoxyqinghaosu, which lacks the endoperoxide bridge and is pharmacologically inactive, did not affect cellular deformability and did not function as a prooxidant. Additionally, deoxyqinghaosu had no effect on fatty acid composition, red cell lysis, methemoglobin generation, or reduced glutathione concentration. In conclusion, although the oxidative effects of qinghaosu on uninfected erythrocytes were only seen at concentrations much greater than that necessary for antimalarial activity, these results confirm the proposition that qinghaosu may act via oxidative mechanisms. Furthermore, qinghaosu-mediated oxidation was significantly increased in erythrocytes characterized by enhanced oxidant sensitivity caused by unstable hemoglobins.

Artemisinins↗
PubMed1988

Oxidant defense enzymes of Plasmodium falciparum.

We have measured and characterized three oxidant defense enzymes in early and late intraerythrocytic stages of the human malarial parasite, Plasmodium falciparum. Isolated early intraerythrocytic stages contain catalase (24.1 mumol min-1 (mg protein)-1) and superoxide dismutase (SOD; 6.3 units (mg protein)-1) but little or no glutathione peroxidase (GPX; less than 2 mumol min-1 (mg protein)-1). Isolated late intraerythrocytic stages of P. falciparum contain slightly less catalase (17.0 mumol min-1 (mg protein)-1) but significantly more GPX (7.7 mumol min-1 (mg protein)-1) and SOD (25.1 units (mg protein)-1). P. falciparum, like P. berghei, probably acquires most of its SOD from its host, since parasite-associated SOD is predominantly cyanide-sensitive, and has the same pI as host SOD. Unlike P. berghei, however, late stages of P. falciparum contain an additional SOD isozyme which is not cyanide-sensitive and may represent an endogenous enzyme. Parasites grown in red cells that have been partially depleted of SOD are more sensitive to exogenously generated superoxide, suggesting some dependence of the parasite on host SOD.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Superoxide dismutase-rich bacteria. Paradoxical increase in oxidant toxicity.

Superoxide dismutase is considered important in protection of aerobes against oxidant damage, and increased tolerance to oxidant stress is associated with induction of this enzyme. However, the importance of superoxide dismutase in this tolerance is not clear because conditions which promote the synthesis of superoxide dismutase likewise affect other antioxidant enzymes and substances. To clarify the role of superoxide dismutase per se in organismal defense against oxidant-generating drugs, we employed Escherichia coli transformed with multiple copies of the gene for bacterial iron superoxide dismutase. These bacteria have greater than ten times the superoxide dismutase activity of wild-type E. coli but, importantly, are normal in other oxidant defense parameters including catalase, peroxidases, glutathione, and glutathione reductase. High superoxide dismutase and control bacteria were exposed to the O2- -generating drug paraquat and to elevated pO2. We find; high superoxide dismutase E. coli are more readily killed by paraquat under aerobic, but not anaerobic, conditions. During exposure to paraquat, high superoxide dismutase E. coli accumulate more H2O2. Coincidentally, the reduced glutathione content of high superoxide dismutase E. coli declines more than in control E. coli. E. coli with high superoxide dismutase activity are also more readily killed by hyperoxia. Interestingly, the susceptibility of the parental and high superoxide dismutase E. coli to killing by exogenous H2O2 is not significantly different. Thus, under these experimental conditions, greatly enhanced superoxide dismutase activity accelerates H2O2 formation. The increased H2O2 probably accounts for the exaggerated sensitivity of high superoxide dismutase bacteria to oxidant-generating drugs. These results support the concept that the product of superoxide dismutase, H2O2, is at least as hazardous as the substrate, O2-. We conclude that effective organismal defense against reactive oxygen species may require balanced increments in antioxidant enzymes and cannot necessarily be improved by increases in the activity of single enzymes.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMed1986

Superoxide dismutase and catalase in the murine malaria, Plasmodium berghei: content and subcellular distribution.

Plasmodium berghei, a murine malaria, lacks endogenous superoxide dismutase (SOD). Instead it appears to take up and concentrate SOD from its host cell, the erythrocyte. We now demonstrate that the adopted host enzyme is localized in granules which are probably lysosomes. In addition, isolated P. berghei parasites contain only low levels of catalase, probably as a result of contamination of the preparation with host cell material. Thus, the cytosol of this organism appears to be deficient in enzymes which protect against damage by activated oxygen.

Animals↗
PubMed1985

Trypanosomatid iron-superoxide dismutase inhibitors. Selectivity and mechanism of N1,N6-bis(2,3-dihydroxybenzoyl)-1,6-diaminohexane.

Crithidia, like trypanosomes and leishmania, has an iron-containing superoxide dismutase. The iron chelator N1,N6-bis (dihydroxybenzoyl)-1,6-diaminohexane proved to be a potent inhibitor of this enzyme. Inhibition of the crithidial superoxide dismutase by this compound was dependent on the presence of oxygen and associated with the formation of a complex which could not be dissociated by gel-filtration chromatography. We propose that this biscatecholic inhibitor is first oxidized to a quinone which then covalently modifies a nucleophilic residue on the enzyme. This compound was less effective as an inhibitor of a mammalian copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase. Thus, this inhibitor could serve as a prototype for the design of antiparasitic agents.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

The in vitro trypanocidal activity of N-substituted p-benzoquinone imines: assessment of biochemical structure-activity relationships using the Hansch approach.

It has previously been found that naphthoquinones can potentiate the rate of hydrogen peroxide production by mitochondrial preparations of Trypanosoma brucei brucei and that organisms treated with naphthoquinones are more susceptible to lysis, especially in the presence of compounds such as heme, which promote the homolytic cleavage of hydrogen peroxide. We have evaluated the lytic effect of various N-substituted p-benzoquinone imines both in vitro and in vivo and have attempted to correlate their structure with trypanocidal activity using the Hansch approach. While none of the compounds tested proved to be active in vivo, all caused the lysis of trypanosomes in vitro. The parameters that correlated best with trypanocidal activity were the conditional redox potential, the lipophilicity of the substituent attached to the nitrogen atom and the number of active hydrogens on the quinonoid ring. These findings suggest two possible modes of action, which may in fact be related. Conjugate nucleophilic addition and/or oxidative damage could be responsible for lysis of the parasites. These same compounds were previously found to be active against the ascitic sarcoma 180 in mice. The strong correlation between antineoplastic activity in vivo and trypanocidal activity in vitro suggests a similar mode of action in both cases. Further studies aimed at developing a quinonelike compound that will be active against trypanosomes in vivo are now in progress.

Animals↗
PubMed1984

Scavenger enzymes and resistance to oxygen mediated damage in Trichinella spiralis.

In order to understand why different stages of Trichinella spiralis vary in their susceptibility to killing by leukocytes, the effects of artificially generated oxidants on different stages of this parasite were compared. More than 90% newborn larvae were killed after incubation in acetaldehyde-xanthine oxidase or glucose-glucose oxidase. On the other hand, fewer than 10% of adult worms or muscle larvae were killed when incubated under identical conditions. Thus, only the stages which are resistant to killing by leukocytes are resistant to killing by oxidants. The larvicidal effect of acetaldehyde-xanthine oxidase was blocked by the addition of either superoxide dismutase or catalase and was partially inhibited by radical scavengers and singlet oxygen quenchers. The oxidant resistant adults and muscle larvae contained 3-5 times more superoxide dismutase and at least five times more glutathione peroxidase than the oxidant sensitive newborn larvae. In contrast, all 3 stages lacked detectable amounts of catalase and contained roughly equivalent amounts of reduced glutathione. Accordingly, adults and muscle larvae may be more resistant to killing by leukocytes than newborn larvae because they contain better oxidant defenses.

Age Factors↗