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Oxidative stress in vivax malaria.
Ramazan Bilgin1, Mustafa S Yalcin, Guzide Yucebilgic
1University of Cukurova, Arts & Science Faculty, Chemistry Department (Biochemistry Division), Adana, Turkey. rbilgin@cu.edu.tr
The Korean Journal of Parasitology
|December 12, 2012
Summary
Malaria infection increases oxidative stress, indicated by higher malondialdehyde levels and lower antioxidant enzyme activity in Plasmodium vivax patients. These findings highlight the role of antioxidant defense in malaria pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Infectious Diseases
- Pathophysiology
Background:
- Malaria remains a significant global health burden, causing widespread morbidity and mortality.
- Oxidative stress, characterized by an imbalance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defenses, is implicated in malaria pathogenesis.
- Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status serve as potential biomarkers for oxidative stress during malaria infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of antioxidant enzymes in combating reactive oxygen species in patients with Plasmodium vivax malaria.
- To compare oxidative stress markers between P. vivax infected individuals and healthy controls.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, a marker of lipid peroxidation.
- Assay of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, key antioxidant enzymes.
- Comparison of these markers in 91 P. vivax patients versus 52 healthy controls.
Main Results:
- MDA levels were significantly elevated in P. vivax patients (8.07±2.29 nM/ml) compared to controls (2.72±0.50 nM/ml) (P<0.001).
- SOD activity was significantly lower in patients (2.69±0.33 U/ml) than in controls (3.71±0.47 U/ml) (P<0.05).
- GPx activity was also significantly reduced in patients (49.6±3.2 U/g Hb) compared to controls (62.3±4.3 U/g Hb) (P<0.05).
Conclusions:
- Vivax malaria is associated with increased oxidative stress.
- Reduced activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD and GPx) suggests a compromised antioxidant defense system in P. vivax infected individuals.
- Antioxidant defense mechanisms appear to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of P. vivax malaria.
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