Abstract
BackgroundImpact of the pathophysiology of Plasmodium falciparum placental malaria (PM) on the profile of some oxidative stress biomarkers and their relationship with poor pregnancy outcomes in women remain unknown.MethodsBetween 2013 and 2014, peripheral blood and placenta tissue from 120 Cameroonian women at delivery were assessed for maternal haemoglobin and, parasitaemia respectively. Parasite accumulation in the placenta was investigated histologically. The levels of oxidative stress biomarkers Malondialdehyde (MDA), Nitric Oxide (NO), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Gluthatione (GSH) in the supernatant of teased placenta tissues were determined by Colorimetric enzymatic assays.ResultsParasitaemia was inversely related to haemoglobin levels and birth weight (P <0.001 and 0.012, respectively). The level of lipid peroxide product (MDA) was significantly higher in the malaria infected (P = 0.0047) and anaemic (P = 0.024) women compared to their non-infected and non-anaemic counterparts, respectively. A similar trend was observed with SOD levels, though not significant. The levels of MDA also correlated positively with parasitaemia (P = 0.0024) but negatively with haemoglobin levels (P = 0.002). There was no association between parasitaemia, haemoglobin level and the other oxidative stress biomarkers. From histological studies, levels of MDA associated positively and significantly with placenta malaria infection and the presence of malaria pigments. The levels of SOD, NO and CAT increased with decreasing leukocyte accumulation in the intervillous space. Baby birth weight increased significantly with SOD and CAT levels, but decreased with levels of GSH.ConclusionsPlacental P. falciparum infection may cause oxidative stress of the placenta tissue with MDA as a potential biomarker of PM, which alongside GSH could lead to poor pregnancy outcomes (anaemia and low birth weight). This finding contributes to the understanding of the pathophysiology of P. falciparum placental malaria in women.
Highlights
Plasmodium falciparum Placental malaria (PM) is a major cause of poor pregnancy outcomes in mothers and their offspring [1]
Placental P. falciparum infection may cause oxidative stress of the placenta tissue with MDA as a potential biomarker of placental malaria (PM), which alongside GSH could lead to poor pregnancy outcomes
This finding contributes to the understanding of the pathophysiology of P. falciparum placental malaria in women
Summary
Plasmodium falciparum Placental malaria (PM) is a major cause of poor pregnancy outcomes in mothers (maternal anaemia and mortality) and their offspring (low birth weight, intra-uterine growth retardation and preterm delivery) [1]. In normal cells, there is an appropriate pro-oxidant/anti-oxidant balance Shifting of this balance towards the pro-oxidant side results in oxidative stress, manifested by elevated levels of free radicals and increase cell membrane lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde –MDA). It is the lipid peroxide product whose level can be used as oxidative stress index), which is responsible for cell damage. Impact of the pathophysiology of Plasmodium falciparum placental malaria (PM) on the profile of some oxidative stress biomarkers and their relationship with poor pregnancy outcomes in women remain unknown
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