Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10137/5499
Title: Impaired systemic tetrahydrobiopterin bioavailability and increased oxidized biopterins in pediatric falciparum malaria: association with disease severity.
Authors: Rubach MP
Mukemba J
Florence S
Lopansri BK
Hyland K
Volkheimer AD
Yeo TW
Anstey NM
Weinberg JB
Mwaikambo ED
Granger DL
Citation: PLoS pathogens 2015-03; 11(3): e1004655
Abstract: Decreased bioavailability of nitric oxide (NO) is a major contributor to the pathophysiology of severe falciparum malaria. Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an enzyme cofactor required for NO synthesis from L-arginine. We hypothesized that systemic levels of BH₄ would be decreased in children with cerebral malaria, contributing to low NO bioavailability. In an observational study in Tanzania, we measured urine levels of biopterin in its various redox states (fully reduced [BH₄] and the oxidized metabolites, dihydrobiopterin [BH₂] and biopterin [B₀]) in children with uncomplicated malaria (UM, n = 55), cerebral malaria (CM, n = 45), non-malaria central nervous system conditions (NMC, n = 48), and in 111 healthy controls (HC). Median urine BH4 concentration in CM (1.10 [IQR:0.55-2.18] μmol/mmol creatinine) was significantly lower compared to each of the other three groups - UM (2.10 [IQR:1.32-3.14];p<0.001), NMC (1.52 [IQR:1.01-2.71];p = 0.002), and HC (1.60 [IQR:1.15-2.23];p = 0.005). Oxidized biopterins were increased, and the BH4:BH2 ratio markedly decreased in CM. In a multivariate logistic regression model, each Log10-unit decrease in urine BH4 was independently associated with a 3.85-fold (95% CI:1.89-7.61) increase in odds of CM (p<0.001). Low systemic BH4 levels and increased oxidized biopterins contribute to the low NO bioavailability observed in CM. Adjunctive therapy to regenerate BH4 may have a role in improving NO bioavailability and microvascular perfusion in severe falciparum malaria.
Click to open PubMed article: https://www.ezpdhcs.nt.gov.au/login?url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed//25764173
Journal title: PLoS pathogens
Publication Date: 2015-03
Type: Comparative Study
Journal Article
Randomized Controlled Trial
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10137/5499
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1004655
Appears in Collections:(a) NT Health Research Collection

Files in This Item:
There are no files associated with this item.


Items in ePublications are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

Google Media

Google ScholarTM

Who's citing