Figure 6. Z-VAD-fmk partially abrogates cell death and growth inhibition induced by CQ in Plasmodium falciparum parasites.

(A) A CQ sensitive clone (3D7) and a CQ resistant clone (7G8) were cultured with or without CQ to a final concentration corresponding to IC₉₀ in presence or absence of z-VAD-fmk (50 µM or 100 µM final concentration). Parasitemia was evaluated by Giemsa staining at 6, 24 and 44 hours and the relative growth compared to untreated parasites was determined. Data are represented as the mean ± S.D. (n = 3). Asterisks indicate a significant increasing of parasitemia compared to cultures treated with CQ without inhibitor (Student's test * = p<0.01). (B) Percentage of each maturation forms observed for a 3D7 P. falciparum culture at 6 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours following CQ addition (at final concentration corresponding to IC₉₀) with or without z-VAD-fmk (100 µM). Data are represented as the mean ± S.D. (n = 3).