Study results from Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Parasitology update understanding of parasitology
2008 JAN 15 -- New investigation results, 'Effect of alkyl-lysophospholipids on some aspects of the metabolism of Leishmania donovani,' are detailed in a study published in The Journal of Parasitology. According to recent research from Granada, Spain, "Alkyl-lysophospholipids (ALPs), developed initially to be antitumor agents, have proved highly effective in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis, a disease caused by the species making up the protozoan complex Leishmania donovani. Although their effectiveness is known, the mode of action against this parasite is not completely understood." "In the present work, we have studied the effect of 3 derivatives, edelfosine, miltefosine, and ilmofosine. Using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ('H-NMR), we have examined the excreted catabolites from glucose metabolism in the promastigote forms treated with these compounds. The ALPs at concentrations of 19 and 38 microM inhibit the excretion of acetate, succinate, and pyruvate. The effect of edelfosine, miltefosine, and ilmofosine on the activity of the enzymes hexokinase, glycerolkinase 3-PD, phosphoglucose isomerase, superoxide dismutase, and phospholipase C were also examined. Glycerolkinase 3-PD and phosphoglucose isomerase are generally insensitive to the compounds, whereas hexokinase and superoxide dismutase are inhibited by miltefosine and ilmofosine. The ALPs exhibited an activated effect against the phospholipase C activity," wrote S. Azzouz and colleagues, Institute of Biotechnology, Department of Parasitology. The researchers concluded: "Alkyl-lysophospholipids were shown to have a significant effect on several enzymes in important biochemical pathways indispensable for the survival of L. donovani promasigotes." Azzouz and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Parasitology (Effect of alkyl-lysophospholipids on some aspects of the metabolism of Leishmania donovani. Journal of Parasitology, 2007;93(5):1202-7). For additional information, contact S. Azzouz, Institute of Biotechnology, Dept. of Parasitology, Faculty of Sciences Campus Fuentenueva CP, Granada, Spain. Publisher contact information for the Journal of Parasitology is: American Society Parasitologists, 810 East 10TH Street, Lawrence, KS 66044, USA. Keywords: Spain, Granada, Biotechnology, Magnetic Resonance, Metabolism, Parasitology, Protozoan, Spectroscopy, Surgery, Visceral Leishmaniasis. This article was prepared by World Disease Weekly editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, World Disease Weekly via NewsRx.com.
|
