ANTIOXIDANT VITAMINS AND LIVER FUNCTION TEST OF MALARIA INFECTED SUBJECTS ATTENDING GENERAL HOSPITAL GWADABAWA, SOKOTO STATE

Abstract

ABSTRACT Malaria still continues to be a major killer of mankind especially in developing countries. Almost all deaths and severe disease are due to Plasmodium falciparum. In this study, forty subjects with P.falciparum infection were selected based on the clinical symptoms. Forty apparently healthy Subjects with no malaria parasitaemia were included as the control subjects. P.falciparum parasitaemia, serum levels of the antioxidant vitamins (vitamin A, C and E) and liver enzymes ( AST, ALP and GGT) were determined using standard procedures.The result showed that there was significant increase (P< 0.05) in liver enzymes (24.80U/L, 75.63U/L and 24.75U/L for AST, ALP and GGT respectively ) in malaria infected subjects when compared with the normal subject (14.72(U/L), 60.35(U/L) and 16.36 for AST, ALP and GGT respectively). However no significant change was observed in albumin between the normal and malaria in infected subjects. The result also showed that there was a significant reduction (P< 0.05) in antioxidant vitamins (Vitamin A38.29(µg/dl) and Vitamin C 0.92 (µg/dl)) in malaria infected subjects when compared with the normal subject whereas no significant change (P< 0.05) was observed in vitamin E between the normal and malaria infected subjects. There were no significant different observed between the two gender in both the liver parameters and the antioxidant vitamins. This study concluded that malaria infection has an immense impact on the antioxidant vitamins and liver function in both Children and adults especially among those who were severely infected. The significant increase in levels of serum ALP, GGT and AST indicate that high malaria parasitaemia has some significant adverse effect on the integrity and functions of the liver among children and adults which may lead to mortality If neglected.