LIP is associated with oxidative conditions and parasite growth in macrophages.

Treatment of infected macrophages (Y strain) with antioxidants (NAC, apocynin, CoPP) reduces ROS content, LIP, and parasite burden, while reducing the expression of H-Ft and increasing the expression of the iron channel Fpn-1 [27]. CoPP, cobalt protoporphyrin; Fpn-1, ferroportin-1; H-Ft, H-ferritin; LIP, labile iron pool; NAC, N-acetyl-L-cysteine; ROS, reactive oxygen species.