Study of metabolic changes-glycoprotein and phospholipids levels in patients of malaria

Background: In erythrocytic stage, malarial parasites meet their high glucose requirement only by modulating the host cell membrane by increasing transport of sugar across the host cell membrane. This leads to a transmembrane gradient of the substrate and finally leading to alterations of metabolic changes and permeability of RBC membrane. Therefore, the aim of present study was to determine the parameters which reflect the status of RBC membrane and their association with the severity of malaria in a large cohort of known patients of malaria, which was caused by the Plasmodium Species.Methods: Blood sample were collected in EDTA bulb at the time of admission (day-1) and on third day (day-3). The samples were analyzed within 24 hours of collection. Erythrocytic total phospholipid is measured by modified connerty method, Total sialic acid (TSA) is measured by TBA/dimethyl sulphoxide method.Results: The mean levels of erythrocytic phospholipid, plasma TSA and PBSA in the cases of malaria were significantly increase (P<0.001) as compared to those in the control group. In the follow up study the same parameters were studied in patients post anti-malarial treatment day-3. The level of erythrocyte phospholipid, plasma TSA and PBSA were reversed.Conclusions: On the basis of the present study it is suggested that the anti-malarial drug regimen must be supported by antioxidants and trace elements supplementation to improve the status of deviated biochemical parameters towards normalcy

Study of antioxidant status in malaria patients

Background: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of metabolic changes in malaria patients. During infection RBCs are exposed to continual oxidative stress. The univalent reduction of oxygen results in a series of cytotoxic oxygen species such as O2-, H2O2, OH•. Objective was to determine the level of oxidative stress in patients suffering from malaria.Methods: The present study was conducted on 551 malaria patients and 211 age-sex matched controls, in department of Biochemistry, C U Shah Medical College, Surendranagar, Gujarat from April 2012 to May 2013.  In stage-I, day-1 malaria patient’s v/s control group, In stage-II, day-3 v/s day-1 after anti-malarial treatment and in Stage-III day-3 v/s day-1 after anti-malarial + antioxidant treatment.Results: The mean erythrocytic activity of SOD, CAT, GST were decreased (0.71±0.25EU, 9.9±2.4μmol/sec, and 11.7±3.9 U/gmHb% respectively), mean level of GSH and MDA were increased (42.1±6.06gm/Hb%, 10.9±2.83 respectively) significantly (P<0.001) as compared to control group. In the follow up study with anti-malarial treatment the mean levels of erythrocytic GSH and MDA (28.7±7.54gm/Hb% and 8.08±1.95nM/L) decreased significantly (P<0.001 and P<0.01 respectively), whereas mean activity of erythrocytic enzymes like SOD, CAT and GST (0.99±0.15 EU, 15.8±2.68μmol/sec and 22.5±5U/gmHb%) were increased significantly (P<0.001) as compared to day-1.Conclusions: Erythrocytic antioxidant enzymes, GSH and MDA may be considered to be reliable biochemical markers for diagnostic and therapeutic potential in malaria