[HTML][HTML] Formation primaquine-5, 6-orthoquinone, the putative active and toxic metabolite of primaquine via direct oxidation in human erythrocytes
PS Fasinu, NPD Nanayakkara, YH Wang… - Malaria Journal, 2019 - Springer
Malaria Journal, 2019•Springer
Background The activity and haemolytic toxicity associated with primaquine has been linked
to its reactive metabolites. The reactive metabolites are thought to be primarily formed
through the action of cytochrome P 450-mediated pathways. Human erythrocytes generally
are not considered a significant contributor to drug biotransformation. As erythrocytes are the
target of primaquine toxicity, the ability of erythrocytes to mediate the formation of reactive
oxidative primaquine metabolites in the absence of hepatic enzymes, was evaluated …
to its reactive metabolites. The reactive metabolites are thought to be primarily formed
through the action of cytochrome P 450-mediated pathways. Human erythrocytes generally
are not considered a significant contributor to drug biotransformation. As erythrocytes are the
target of primaquine toxicity, the ability of erythrocytes to mediate the formation of reactive
oxidative primaquine metabolites in the absence of hepatic enzymes, was evaluated …
Background
The activity and haemolytic toxicity associated with primaquine has been linked to its reactive metabolites. The reactive metabolites are thought to be primarily formed through the action of cytochrome P450-mediated pathways. Human erythrocytes generally are not considered a significant contributor to drug biotransformation. As erythrocytes are the target of primaquine toxicity, the ability of erythrocytes to mediate the formation of reactive oxidative primaquine metabolites in the absence of hepatic enzymes, was evaluated.
Methods
Primaquine and its enantiomers were incubated separately with human red blood cells and haemoglobin. Post-incubation analysis was performed with UPLC–MS/MS to identify products of biotransformation.
Results
The major metabolite detected was identified as primaquine-5,6-orthoquinone, reflecting the pathway yielding putative active and haematotoxic metabolites of primaquine, which was formed by oxidative demethylation of 5-hydroxyprimaquine. Incubation of primaquine with haemoglobin in a cell-free system yielded similar results. It appears that the observed biotransformation is due to non-enzymatic processes, perhaps due to reactive oxygen species (ROS) present in erythrocytes or in the haemoglobin incubates.
Conclusion
This study presents new evidence that primaquine-5,6-orthoquinone, the metabolite of primaquine reflecting the oxidative biotransformation pathway, is generated in erythrocytes, probably by non-enzymatic means, and may not require transport from the liver or other tissues.
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