Inhibition of the respiration of Trypanosoma rhodesiense by thiols

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Abstract
-2:3-Dimercaptopropanol (BAL), cysteine, glutathione and penicillamine at a concentration of 10-3 [image] caused inhibition of the respiration and motility of T. rhodesiense in vitro. Catalase partly prevented the inhibition by BAL and completely prevented that caused by the other thiols. Under anaerobic conditions the toxicity of BAL and penicillamine was greatly reduced, and that of cysteine and glutathione completely eliminated. Catalase could not be detected in the trypanosomes, but peroxide, whether added to or formed in the system, was destroyed in the presence of the respiring organisms by reacting with the pyruvate which they produced.