[Changes in antioxidative system in erythrocytes infected with Plasmodium falciparum]

In order to probe into the redox state in erythrocytes infected with P. falciparum, parasites of Hainan strain (FCC-1/HN) were cultured in vitro and trophozoites and schizonts were obtained by Percoll gradient separation. The effects of P. falciparum infection on antioxidative system and active oxygen level in erythrocytes were studied. It was found that the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and the content of reduced glutathione in infected erythrocytes were markedly decreased, while the activities of glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in infected erythrocytes remained unchanged. There was no evident increase in superoxide in infected erythrocytes. However, the level of hydrogen peroxide in infected erythrocytes was markedly increased.