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Increased plasma lipid peroxidation in riboflavin-deficient, malaria-infected children

B S Das1, D I Thurnham, J K Patnaik

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, Ispat General Hospital, Orissa, India.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
|May 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Children with malaria have higher lipid peroxidation, indicated by malondialdehyde (MDA), especially if they have a riboflavin deficiency. This deficiency may increase oxidative stress in red blood cells, making them more susceptible to damage.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Malariology
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Plasmodium falciparum malaria is a significant global health concern.
  • Oxidative stress, indicated by elevated plasma lipid peroxides like malondialdehyde (MDA), is implicated in malaria pathogenesis.
  • Riboflavin (vitamin B2) is crucial for antioxidant defense systems, including glutathione regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between plasma lipid peroxidation and riboflavin status in children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria.
  • To determine if riboflavin deficiency exacerbates oxidative stress in malaria patients.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured using the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method in 75 children with malaria.
  • Riboflavin status was assessed by measuring erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficients (EGRACs), with values >1.40 indicating deficiency.
  • MDA concentrations and EGRACs were compared between malaria patients and controls, and within patient groups based on riboflavin status.

Main Results:

  • Malaria patients exhibited significantly higher plasma MDA levels compared to healthy controls (3.65 ± 0.70 vs. 1.77 ± 0.45 μmol/L, p < 0.001).
  • Riboflavin-deficient children with malaria had significantly higher plasma MDA levels than non-deficient children (3.98 ± 0.70 vs. 3.30 ± 0.68 μmol/L, p < 0.001).
  • Plasma MDA concentrations showed a positive correlation with EGRACs in malaria patients (r = 0.46, p < 0.01).

Conclusions:

  • Children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria experience increased lipid peroxidation.
  • Riboflavin deficiency appears to worsen oxidative stress in malaria, potentially by impairing glutathione regeneration.
  • These findings suggest that maintaining adequate riboflavin status may be important for mitigating oxidative damage in children with malaria.

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