Oxidative stress and erythrocyte damage in Kenyan children with severe Plasmodium falciparum malaria

• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2141.2001.02758.x
• Publication Date: 2002-07-26T10:27:39Z
• Authors: Michael J. Griffiths; Francis Ndungu; Karen L. Baird; David P. R. Muller; Kevin Marsh; Charles R. J. C. ...
• Keywords: Erythrocyte Membrane; Infant; Anemia; Kenya; 3. Good health; Hemoglobins; Oxidative Stress; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Case-Control Studies; Child, Preschool; Acute Disease; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated; Humans; Vitamin E; Malaria, Falciparum; Child

Anaemia causes significant morbidity in children with Plasmodium falciparum malaria, but the mechanism(s) are unclear. During malarial infection, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated that may contribute to erythrocyte damage and anaemia. This study measured concentrations of α‐tocopherol plasma membranes, percentage polyunsaturated fatty acid composition (%PUFA) (an indirect marker ROS damage) membranes severe P. malaria from Kilifi, Kenya, asymptomatic same district. Malarial subjects were stratified into complicated Results demonstrated reductions membrane concentration (1·63 ± 0·16 versus 3·38 0·18 μmol/mg protein; P < 0·001) total %PUFA (30·7 0·49 32·8 0·44% 0·005) for (non‐stratified) compared controls. showed a positive correlation between haemoglobin ( 0·005 r = 0·63 group; 0·05 0·36 non‐stratified data). There no differences patients In conclusion, infection be associated oxidative reduced reserve membrane, suggesting local antioxidant depletion loss malaria. Erythrocyte appeared better indicator exposure than plasma.