The Anti Trypanosomal Potential of Vanadium: Its Effect on the Lipid Profile of Trypanosoma congolense in Vitro

ISHAYA Y. LONGDET
Department of Biochemistry
University of Jos, Jos, Nigeria.
E-mail: islongdet@yahoo.com
Abstract
In search for new therapeutic agents against Human African
Trypanosomiasis, an in vitro investigation of the impact of vanadium
on the lipid profile of T. congolense, a causative agent of nagana in
animals, was carried out. Purified bloodstream forms of the
parasites were incubated with graded concentration (1.0 x 10-1M to
1.0 x 10-8M) of V2O5 and the effect on total lipid, total polar, total
neutral and fractions of both polar and neutral lipid components
studied separately. Data from this investigation reveal that
vanadium, as its oxide; bring about a reduction in the total lipid
content of the parasite by about 48.94% to 52.20% while the total
polar and total neutral lipids suffered reduction by about 56% to
60% and 40% to 47% respectively. The effects of the metal on the
polar and neutral lipid fractions show greater variation. This reduced
level of total and fractional lipid components may pose a challenge to
the parasite in terms of membrane structure and function as well as
general metabolic activity. Therefore, vanadium may be a basis for a
potent chemotherapeutic agent useful against Trypanosoma species,
the pathogens of trypanosomiasis.