The reductive metabolism of nifurtimox and benznidazole in Crithidia fasciculata is similar to that in Trypanosoma cruzi.

1. Addition of nifurtimox or benznidazole to the NADH-containing mitochondrial fraction of Crithidia fasciculata led to the appearance of the characteristic ESR spectra corresponding to their nitro anion radicals, suggesting that the nitro anion radical is a necessary intermediate in the reduction of both nitro compounds. 2. Nifurtimox anion radical generation by the mitochondrial fraction was insensitive to rotenone and antimycin A but was enhanced by KCN. 3. The nifurtimox anion radical reacted with oxygen under aerobic conditions leading to an increase in the cyanide-insensitive respiration of the intact cells and in the rate of O2- and H2O2 production by the C. fasciculata mitochondrial fraction. 4. In contrast, generation of O2- and H2O2 was not stimulated with pharmacological concentrations of benznidazole. Furthermore, benznidazole inhibited the cyanide-insensitive respiration of the intact cells.