Erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in patients with acute attack of Plasmodium falciparum

Abstract

Sunday P. Ogunro,, Olabisi T. Ogungbamigbe, Afolabi A. Salawu, Sylvester E. Idogun

The host immune response to malaria involves phagocytosis as well as the production of free radicals that form part of the host defence system and also contribute to the pathology of the disease. The aim of our study is to assess oxidative stress and antioxidant status in uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum infected individuals. A total of 114 subjects aged between 18 and 30 years were followed up for 16 days to fulfill the research criteria. Another 114 healthy individuals were included to the study as control subjects. Antioxidants were measured on day 1 (D1), day 4 (D4) after completion of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy and day 16 (D16) when parasitemia is <100/µl of blood. Compared to controls, the erythrocyte malondialdehyde was significantly higher whereas superoxide dismutase and catalase were significantly lower on D1 and D4. Glutathione and glutathione peroxidase were found to be significantly less than control subjects on D1, D4 and D16. Total antioxidant status showed a significant reduction on D1 and D4. Direct correlation was obtained between MDA and parasitemia on D1 and D4, whereas inverse correlation was recorded between antoxidants and parasitemia. In conclusion, parasitemia depleted erythrocyte antioxidants and increased their susceptibility to damage.