SUNY Potsdam Chemistry Professor's Research Shows Potentially Damaging Effects of Anti-Malaria Drug

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Dr. Fadi Bou-Abdallah, an associate professor of chemistry at SUNY Potsdam, recently published research regarding side effects of anti-malaria drugs in ChemMedChem.

• Recent research by SUNY Potsdam Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Fadi Bou-Abdallah and two colleagues was published in ChemMedChem.

POTSDAM, NY (10/13/2016)(readMedia)-- Recent research by SUNY Potsdam Associate Professor of Chemistry Dr. Fadi Bou-Abdallah and two colleagues has pointed to potential damaging effects in one of the most prescribed anti-malaria drugs. A paper they recently published in ChemMedChem showed investigated the side effects of one of the most commonly prescribed medicines to fight malaria.

Malaria kills more young children than any other infectious disease. In 2013, the World Health Organization estimated that there were more than 200 million clinical cases worldwide and more than half a million deaths, mostly of children in sub-Saharan Africa. Although the disease is both preventable and curable, undesirable side effects from common drugs may lead to serious diseases.

While there is hope that an effective malaria vaccine is possible by 2030, the team of researchers -- which included Dr. Robert Doyle from Syracuse University, Dr. Fadi Bou-Abdallah from SUNY Potsdam and Dr. Chloe Zubieta from Grenoble University in France -- set out to investigate the molecular mechanism of one of the most prescribed anti-malaria drugs, Chloroquine.

Chloroquine kills the malaria parasite by altering the pH of the parasite's lysosome, resulting in a snowball effect that inhibits critical chemical reactions. However, uncontrolled and long term use of the drug can be toxic to humans and can lead to adverse side effects, including heart problems and ultimately death.

The team identified a protein (called saposin B) in the lysosome of the human cell and showed that it binds chloroquine. By binding chloroquine, saposin B may reverse the undesirable side effects of chloroquine and alleviate its toxicity, potentially by flushing the drug. However, too much intake of the drug may prevent saposin B from performing its normal function of removing damaged lipids inside the lysosome. This build-up of lipids in turn can lead to lipidosis and possibly the observed side effects of chloroquine. Studies are ongoing in healthy human volunteers, to investigate whether saposin-chloroquine complex can be observed in urine, supporting the team's hypothesis that saposin B is an important biomarker of chloroquine toxicity.

The study was published in ChemMedChem, a premier journal at the interface of chemistry, biology and medicine, and was highlighted on the cover of the journal.

Dr. Bou-Abdallah was recently named a 2016 Henry Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar by the Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation. The award provides an unrestricted research grant of $60,000 to faculty members at primarily undergraduate institutions who are accomplished researchers and committed educators.

SUNY Potsdam's Department of Chemistry offers a rigorous and well-balanced curriculum that provides a solid foundation for successful graduate study or a career in chemistry or a chemistry-related field. The department is known for its strong and diverse undergraduate research programs, its $1.3 million in grants to support teaching and research, and the success of its students' acceptance to competitive graduate and professional schools. To find out more, visit www.potsdam.edu/academics/AAS/Chem.

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. As the College marks its bicentennial in 2016, SUNY Potsdam will celebrate a 200-year legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 4,100 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and leadership in the arts. Empowered by a culture of creativity, the campus community is nearing the completion of Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam, which has raised $33.5 million for scholarships and programs.

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