Studies with primaquine in vitro: superoxide radical formation and oxidation of haemoglobin

1. The production of superoxide radicals from primaquine diphosphate in aqueous solution has been demonstrated, using as indicator the reduction of cytochrome C with inhibition of the reaction by superoxide dismutase. 2. Primaquine-mediated oxidation of haemoglobin to methaemoglobin was reduced by the addition of catalase and increased by superoxide dismutase. Mannitol, a hydroxyl radical scavenger, abolished the increase in methaemoglobin observed in the presence of superoxide dismutase. EDTA reduced the oxidation of haemoglobin with and without superoxide dismutase. 3. Although the oxidation of haemoglobin in the presence of primaquine includes the effects of hydrogen peroxide, superoxide and hydroxyl radicals and metal ions, the results indicate that hydrogen peroxide, rather than the superoxide radical, is the main oxidizing species. The increase in haemoglobin oxidation occurring with superoxide dismutase may result from the augmented rate of hydrogen peroxide formation from superoxide radicals.