The effect of acute Plasmodium falciparum infection on the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and ascorbic acid on Nigerian children
Isamah, G.K.; Asagba, S.O.
Journal of Applied Science and Environmental Management 7(2): 59-61
2003
Document Number: 259975
The effect of acute Plasmodium falciparum infection on the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and ascorbic acid (AA) were studied in 200 children with malaria, between the ages of 0.5 and 5 years, with a male to female ratio of 3:1. Healthy children (n=200) matched for age and sex ratio served as controls. MDA content was significantly higher (P<0.01) in the plasma of children with malaria (13.88+or-1.02 micro mol/ml) compared with controls (8.71+or-0.62 micro mol/ml). However, AA level showed an opposite response; children with malaria (87.41+or-3.43 micro mol/ml) and controls (122.07+or-6.36 micro mol/ml). These results were also highly significant (P<0.01). A negative correlation (r=-0.525) was observed between these 2 parameters in the children with malaria against a positive correlation (r=0.533) in the controls. These opposite responses in the level of lipid peroxidation and ascorbic acid may, in part, account for the general tissue damage associated with the pathology of malaria.