TITLE:
Effect of Artemether Treatment on Plasma Lipid Profile in Malaria
AUTHORS:
Nkereuwem Edikpo, Paul Obiekwe Okonkwo, Elias Adikwu
KEYWORDS:
Artemether, Plasma Lipid Profile, Malaria, Humans
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.5 No.7,
June
17,
2014
ABSTRACT: This study was
undertaken to assess the effect of artemether treatment on plasma lipid profile
in malaria infection. While the importance of lipid to plasmodial infective
processes and metabolism is being increasingly appreciated, little is known
about the attendant effect of chemotherapy on plasma lipid profile. Thirty
patients with uncomplicated malaria were chosen from two secondary health-care
facilities in Yobe State, Nigeria with informed consents and ethical clearance.
Based on predetermined inclusion criteria patients were given 3.2 mg/kg of
artemether with 1.6 mg/kg on subsequent days for a total of five days. This was done after the collection of urine and blood
samples for urinalysis, malaria parasite density count and serum lipid
analysis. A follow-up was planned seven (7) days from first dose during when
clinical assessment and repeat malaria parasite density count and serum lipid
analysis were done. Data were analyzed with statistical package for social
scientist and Microsoft Excel spread sheet while level of significance at p ≤
0.05 was calculated using paired t-test. Serum HDL cholesterol
concentration recorded a significant decline of 0.13 mmol/L from a
pre-treatment mean concentration of 1.17 mmol/L
(p provide a more compelling result.