Malaria Protection In Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficient Individuals In Bamenda Population Of Cameroon

The high frequency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency gene in malaria endemic regions is believed to be due to the enzyme deficiency advantage against fatal malaria. However, the mechanism of this protection is not well understood and therefore was investigated by comparing differences in plasmodial parasitaemia, full blood count profile and the severity of clinical malarial symptoms of G6PD deficient and G6PD non–deficient cohort groups in the population. Our results showed that 10.4% (63/606) of those tested carried the G6PD deficiency gene. G6PD deficient heterozygous females and hemizygous males manifested significantly reduced (

Influence of sickle heterozygous status and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency on the clinico-haematolgoical profile of Plasmodium falciparum-infected children

Sickle haemoglobin (HbS) and glucose–6–phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) enzyme deficiency genes are known to offer reliable protection against falciparum malaria in malaria endemic areas of the world. However, the mechanism of protection is not yet completely understood. In this study, we investigated the contribution of HbS and G6PD enzyme deficiency status in ameliorating the severity of malaria attack by comparing the clinical symptoms, parasitaemia andhaematological profiles of Plasmodium falciparum–infected volunteer children. The selected group of children, G6PD deficient sickle heterozygotes (HbAS) (n = 5), G6PD non–deficient HbAS (n = 30), G6PD deficient dominant homozygotes (HbAA) (n = 10) and G6PD non–deficient HbAA (n = 30) were monitored for a period of one year with a view to elucidating further the involvement of HbS and G6PD enzyme deficiency in the protection of children against plasmodial infection. Results revealed greater severity (indicated by malarial anaemia), higher incidence of atypical thrombocytopenia, high white blood cell (WBC) counts and significantly higher (P < 0.05) parasite density and percentage parasitaemia in G6PD non–deficient HbAA subjects compared to G6PD non–deficient HbAS, G6PD deficient HbAS subject and G6PD deficient HbAA. Less severe clinical malarial symptoms were also observed more in G6PD deficient HbAS when compared to G6PD non-deficient HbAA subjects during malariaattack. These results seem to indicate that inheriting both genetic defects reduces the profligacy of malaria parasite and hence, ameliorate the severity of acute falciparum malaria. Consequently, selective advantage against fatal falciparum malaria seems to be conferred since malarial anaemia, parasitaemia and severe malarial symptoms were significantly reduced

Comparison of Serum Concentrations of Total Cholesterol and Total Lipid in Different Groups of Female Tuberculosis Patients

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the most dangerous tropical diseases that complicates HIV infection in Nigeria to date. Over two million Nigerians are known to be infected with TB and many more are at risk of the infection. Serum concentrations of total cholesterol and total lipid of 117 female TB patients attending chest clinic at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku, Enugu State, Nigeria and 38 female residents of University of Nigeria, Nsukka Campus who had no history of tuberculosis by the time blood was collected (FTBF) were spectrophotometrically evaluated. The 117 female TB patients were made up of twenty seven (27) TB patients not yet on any form of TB drugs (FTBP), 60 TB patients being treated with a combination of normal complements of TB drugs (FTBD) and 30 confirmed female TB-treated persons (FTBT). Results obtained revealed that the mean serum total cholesterol and total lipid concentrations of the FTBP were 136.66 ± 17.32 mg/dl and 4.5 ± 0.88g/l respectively and FTBD (142.22±28.77 mg/dl and 4.6±0.95 g/l respectively) were significantly lower (

Free radical scavenging activity and phenolic contents of Anthocleista djalonensis (Loganiaceae) leaf extract

Anthocleista djalonensis extract is widely used in Nigerian folk medicine to treat conditions whose pathogenesis implicate oxidative stress, such as diabetes and hepatitis. However, little is known of the mechanism underlying these activities. In this study, the free radical scavenging potential of a methanol extract of A. djalonensis leaves was assessed by measuring its capability for scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH.) radical, superoxide anion radical (O2.–), hydroxyl radical (.OH), nitric oxide radicals (NO.), as well as its ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation, using appropriate assay systems compared to natural and syntheticantioxidants. Total phenolic, flavonoid and flavonol contents were determined by spectrophotometric methods. This extract showed a very potent DPPH. and O2 .– anion radical scavenging activities (IC50 = 8.69 ± 0.95 ìg/ml and 5.32 ± 1.05 ìg/ml respectively) and also significantly inhibited the accumulation of nitrite in vitro. The .OH radical and non-enzymatic lipid peroxidation inhibitory potentials of the extract were significantly higher (

The Possible Role of Diet in Mitigating Oxidative Stress Induction during Plasmodial Infection

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Correlation of Lipid Peroxidation Index With Sickle Haemoglobin Concentrations In Malaria-Positive and-Negative Statuses of AA, AS and SS Individuals from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka Community

The incidences of different haemoglobinopathy genes were determined in 6406 volunteers from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, community. Results revealed 3.81% and 29.04% incidences of sickle cell anaemia (SCA) and Sickle gene trait respectively in the community. The concentrations of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), lipid peroxidation index, of a total of 260 selected normal homozygotes (HbAA), sickle heterozygotes (HbAS) and subjects with homozygous Sickle Cell Anaemia (HbSS), were further assayed when they were infected and then when they were not infected with Plasmodium falciparum (p.f) parasite. The correlaction of MDA concentrations and Sickle haemoglobin (HbS) doses of the genotypic groups revealed that the differences in MDA concentrations computed when the individuals were infected and when they were not infected were directly proportional to their corresponding doses of HbS in AA, AS and SS genotypic groups. This result was confirmed by the direct proportion exhibited by the mean plasma MDA concentration differences (MDACDs) of groups of heterozygotes during plasmodial infection and when they were not infected with their corresponding mean percentage HbS concentrations. The results further demonstrated that the percentage HbS concentration of various heterozygote groups were inversely proportional to their corresponding parasite densities and their annual frequencies of malaria attack. These results not only demonstrated the high incidences of SCA and trait in the university community but also could explain further why most sickle heterozygotes suffer less malarial attack than the normal heterozygotes as well as explain the variations usually observed in the frequency of malarial attack among sickle gene carriers. Key words: Sickle cell disease, Malaria, Sickle Hb concentration, Lipid peroxidation Bio-Research Vol.1(1) 2003: 97-11