ASSESSMENT OF THE LEVELS OF SERUM MALONDIALDEHYDE (MDA), GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE, AND CATALASE IN PLASMODIUM FALCIPARIUM INFECTED INDIVIDUALS
Malaria is a disease triggered by microscopic single-celled organisms known as protozoan parasites from the Plasmodium genus, which invade and annihilate red blood cells. The objective of the research was to evaluate the concentrations of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione peroxidase, and catalase in individuals infected with Plasmodium falciparum within the Ekpoma region and its surrounding areas. In this forward-looking investigation, a comprehensive set of 150 blood samples was gathered. Among these, 100 samples were obtained from patients afflicted with malaria, with 40 exhibiting a parasiteamia degree of one (+), 40 displaying a degree of two (++), and 20 demonstrating a degree of three (+++). Additionally, 50 control subjects participated in the study, consisting of 24 males and 26 females. The findings of the study disclosed the distribution of age and gender within the study population. A total of 150 samples were enrolled in this research, including fifty (50) control samples, with an equal split of twenty-five (25) males and twenty-five (25) females. Additionally, the study included fifty (50) male patients testing positive for malaria and an equal number of fifty (50) female patients also diagnosed with malaria. In this investigation, a significant (p≤0.05) decline was observed in the experimental groups when compared to the control group, highlighting significant findings. The present study identified an elevation in Malondialdehyde (MDA) activity among malaria-positive patients, suggesting an augmented generation of reactive oxygen species. However, this observation did not attain statistical significance. No significant (p≥0.05) decrease in catalase activity was noted when compared to the control group. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that malaria infection led to the occurrence of oxidative stress to a certain degree, as evidenced by the presence of non-significant findings.
