The effect of vitamin C and E supplementation in the treatment of malarial infection

Abstract

Malaria infects a number of people in Sub-Saharan Africa and is gradually becoming endemic in this region. This study was undertaken to assess the effect of malaria on antioxidant status and also to ascertain whether antioxidant vitamins could be useful in the treatment of malaria. The study group comprised of 40 patients with non-complicated malaria and 25 healthy age-matched controls. Twenty-five of the patients, (group A), were given chloroquine only while 15,(group B), were given vitamins C and E in addition to chloroquine. Packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin (Hb), and serum lipid peroxidation were measured. The results obtained at enrolment and 7days after the patients had commenced medication showed significantly higher (p<0.01) serum lipid hydroperoxidee and lower PCV and Hb values in patients compared to controls. Although the group a Hb level improved 7 days after medication, the Hb level in group B was (p<0.05). On the whole there was a negative association between Hb and lipid hydroperoxide (r=-0.642, p<0.01). we therefore infer from our results that there is oxidative stress during malaria which may contribute to haemolysis and anaemia and that vitamin (C and E) supplementation in addition to chloroquine could be another means of strengthening local sustainable capacity to the management of this disease.

The Nigerian Journal of Parasitology Vol. 24 2003: 39-46