Oxidative stress in human malaria patients

Abstract

The intention of this study is to ascertain if there is significant oxidative stress in patients infected with Plasmodium falciparum, in Benin metropolis, South-South Nigeria. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-P) and catalase (CAT) were assayed in eighty (80) subjects of both sexes, composed of forty (40) test subjects and forty (40) control subjects. The 40 test subjects presenting in the clinic with features of malaria infection, were confirmed to be infected with P. falciparum. The results obtained revealed a statistically significant increase (P<0.05) in the level of malondialdehyde and a decreased level in superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities P<0.05) in the malaria patients, when compared with the control subjects. These results suggest that malaria
infection causes oxidative stress in patients within southern Nigeria. Administering antioxidants after anti-malaria treatment is therefore suggested.