TARGETING IRON
While most available literature refers to redox imbalances causing depletion of necessary thiols, other mechanisms of toxicity of the oxides of chlorine against Plasmodia
should also be considered. Oxides of chlorine are generally rapidly reactive with ferrous iron (Fe++) converting it to ferric (Fe+++). [62a-62d] This explains why in cases of overdosed exposures to oxides of chlorine such as sodium chlorite (NaClO2) there was a notable rise in methemoglobin levels. [63a,63b] Methemoglobin is a metabolically inactive form of hemoglobin in which its ferrous iron (Fe++) cofactor has been oxidized to ferric (Fe+++). In living things including parasites iron is a necessary cofactor for many enzymes. [64a-64f] Thus it is reasonable to expect that any damage to Plasmodia caused by oxides of chlorine is compounded by conversion of ferrous (Fe++) cofactors to ferric (Fe+++) or other alterations of iron compounds. [65a-65g] Superoxide dismutase (SOD) inside Plasmodial cells utilizes iron in its active center. [66a-66m] Chlorine dioxide also oxidizes manganese. [67a]