Assessment of Oxidative Protein Modification and Endothelial Markers in Malaria Infested Patients in Southern Nigeria

The precise pathways by which malaria infections contribute to increased blood pressure and organ impairment are not fully elucidated. This study sought to investigate the relationship between malaria infections and the extent of oxidative protein modification, along with changes in endothelial markers in the affected population. The research involved 330 participants, comprising 200 (60.6%) individuals diagnosed with malaria and 130 (39.4%) healthy controls. The presence of malaria parasites was confirmed through Giemsa-stained microscopy of thin blood films, while levels of ICAM- 1, protein carbonyl groups, and SH groups were assessed using ELISA techniques. The findings indicated that both ICAM- 1 and protein carbonyl levels were significantly elevated (p<0.05) in malaria-infected individuals compared to the control group, whereas SH group levels were significantly lower (p<0.05) in the infected subjects. Additionally, ICAM-1 and carbonyl levels were significantly lower (p<0.05) in male participants compared to females, while SH group levels were significantly higher (p<0.05) in males. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed across all parameters concerning age. ICAM-1 exhibited a non-significant positive correlation with the carbonyl group (r = 0.053, p = 0.765) and a negative correlation with the SH group (r = -0.251, p = 0.0146). In contrast, the carbonyl group showed a significant negative correlation with the SH group (r = -0.848, p = 0.000). In summary, this study offers evidence of heightened endothelial activation and oxidative protein modifications in individuals with malaria parasitaemia.