beta-carotene and Malaria

Populations living in endemic malaria areas maybe exposed simultaneously to DDT and malaria infection. DDT may impair status of vitamins, which are implicated in the immunity and pathophysiology of malaria. To explore possible interactions, DDT residues, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene and cholesterol were measured in plasma samples of malaria-infected pregnant women (cases, n=50) and age matched malaria-free controls (n=58). DDT residues were found in all samples: mean (sd) total DDT levels of 29.7 and 32.7 ng/ml in cases and controls, respectively. Mean (sd) p,p'-DDT was higher in the controls than the cases (13.5 vs. 9.5 ng/ml, p=0.006). Malaria infection was associated with lower mean (sd) plasma retinol (0.69 vs. 1.23 micromol/L) and cholesterol (2.62 vs. 3.48 mmol/L) compared to controls (p<0.001). Mean (sd) plasma alpha-tocopherol (7.65 vs. 15.58 micromol/L) and alpha-tocopherol/cholesterol ratio (2.3 vs. 6.7 micromol/L/mmol/L) were significantly lower among the controls (p<0.001). Mean (sd) plasma beta-carotene was low (<0.3 micromol/L) in both groups, but higher among malaria cases (0.19 vs. 0.15 micromol/L). Plasma retinol among the controls showed highly significant positive correlations with individual DDT compounds, particularly with p,p'-DDT (r=0.51, p<0.001). Plasma alpha-tocopherol and beta-carotene seemed not to be affected by DDT residues.

Topics: alpha-Tocopherol; Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Case-Control Studies; DDT; Environmental Pollutants; Female; Humans; Malaria; Pregnancy; Thailand; Vitamin A

The comparative effects of malaria and malnutrition on plasma antioxidant vitamins were studied in 65 children aged 8-96 months. Forty-six (71%) of them had malaria; nineteen (29%) served as controls. Patients and controls were further subdivided into two groups depending on whether they were malnourished or well nourished, as defined by weight-for-age Z score (WAZ) +/- -2. Plasma levels of alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene and retinol were measured. Results indicate that malaria was associated with levels of antioxidants lower than in the controls. Two-way analysis of variance shows that for all three plasma micronutrients concentrations were lower in those children infected with malaria but were not influenced by malnutrition. There were an equal number of malnourished children in both malaria and non-malaria groups; nevertheless, WAZ tended to be lower in those with malaria (p = 0.056), although this did not quite reach significance. It is concluded that in areas where malaria and malnutrition co-exist, malaria alone exerts a greater influence on plasma antioxidants than does malnutrition.

Topics: Antioxidants; beta Carotene; Body Weight; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Malaria; Nigeria; Nutrition Disorders; Vitamin A; Vitamin E