Erythrocyte Lipid and Antioxidant Changes in Plasmodium falciparum-infected Children Attending Mother and Child Hospital in Akure, Nigeria.

Abstract

Understanding the molecular and cellular pathways activated in response to Plasmodium falciparum infection is crucial for the development of pharmacological intervention to malaria. The present study was designed to evaluate the lipid components and the oxidative status of erythrocyte obtained from children under 5 years infected with Plasmodium falciparum. Parasitemia was assessed prior and after treatment with antimalarial, erythrocyte lipid profile, levels of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status (reduced glutathione, GSH; superoxide dismutase, SOD; catalase and glutathione peroxidase, GPx) were measured. Results obtained showed that in Plasmodium infected erythrocyte, the total phospholipids, cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations were significantly elevated beyond the normal level. In addition, an upsurge in erythrocyte oxidant (lipid peroxide) status with a concomitant downregulation of the antioxidant status (GSH concentration and SOD, catalase and GPx activities) was observed in P. falciparum-infected children. However, following a three-day treatment with artemisinin combination drugs, there was a significant reduction in erythrocyte phospholipids, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentration as well as lipid peroxide levels. Significant augmentation in erythrocyte antioxidant status (GSH, SOD, catalase and GPx) were also observed after treatment with antimalarials. This study demonstrated that erythrocyte lipids and oxidative status are usually altered in Plasmodium falciparum-infected children. Thus, monitoring erythrocyte lipid profile and oxidative status could offer a viable diagnostic strategy in early detection of malaria in children.