Effects of Antioxidant Supplementation on Lipid Profile and Some Hematological Parameters in Malaria Induced Albino Rats

Oxidative stress is essential in the pathogenesis of malaria and also, the pharmacological basis of most anti-malaria drugs involves the generation of free radicals and its attendant oxidative stress. This study was designed to investigate the effects of antioxidant supplementation on lipid profile and some hematological parameters in malaria induced albino rats. To achieve this, fifteen (36) healthy female adult albino rats weighing between 220-240g were procured and were infected with plasmodium parasite, they all tested positive to malaria parasite, they were later grouped into three (3) experimental groups of twelve (12) animals each. Group A animals received antioxidant foods (carrot, soybeans and oranges) and anti-malaria drugs in addition to their normal rat chow, Group B animals received nutraceuticals (A beta care and Absorbent C) and anti-malaria drugs with their normal rat chow. While Group C animals served as control and were fed with rat chow and anti-malaria drugs respectively for twelve (12) weeks. From the result, there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the hematological parameters (PCV, WBC, RBC and HGB) of the test groups compared to the control with group A showing more prominence. Also, antioxidant supplementation brings about a significant increase (p<0.05) in the TG and LDL levels of the test groups compared to the control. However, there was a nonsignificant (p>0.05) decrease in the CHOL and HDL of the test group compared to the control. The reason for these may not be far-fetched given the ability of antioxidants to combat free radicals produced during malaria infection and those produced by anti-malaria drugs