Background Malaria parasites are very vulnerable to oxidative stress during the part of their life cycle when they inhabit the erythrocytes. Studies have shown that dietary intake of antioxidant plays a role in stabilizing oxidative stress. Methods The objective of this research work was to examine the antioxidative effect of red palm oil on Plasmodium berghei malaria induced oxidative stress. Sixty (60) mice were distributed into five groups. Group A served as the negative control (healthy mice with normal feed); group B as positive control (healthy mice fed with red palm oil without malaria parasite.while the other groups (C to E) served as the test groups. Group C served as group of healthy mice fed with red palm oil (pelletized), infected with malaria parasite without antimalaria drug. Group D served as group of healthy mice fed with red palm oil (pelletized), infected with malaria parasite and treated with amodiaquine. Group E served as group of healthy mice fed with normal feed, infected with malaria parasite and treated with amodiaquine. The parasitemia levels were estimated on days 1,4 and 5. The activity of oxidative stress enzymes biomarkers were determined spectrophotometrically. Result Group A showed a statistically significant increase in the activity of SOD (1.90 ± 0.16 units/mg protein), GST (1.68 ± 0.086 units/L) compared to group C, SOD (3.54 ± 0.83 units/mg protein), GST (2.12 ± 0.20 units/L). Group B showed a statistical significant decrease in the activities of SOD (3.22 ± 0.33 units/mg protein), Catalase (49.11 ± 2.35 µmol/min), GSH-R (31.50 ± 2.48 units/L) compared to group E, SOD (2.18 ± 0.39 units/mg protein), Catalase (44.07 ± 3.88 µmol/min), GSH-R (27.75 ± 1.64 units/L). Conclusion The dietary intake of red palm oil helps to reduce free radical mediated injury to the tissue thus preventing oxidative stress induced by malaria or any other factors.

Background: The emergence of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has led to dramatic improvements in prolonging the life expectancy of HIV-infected patients. However, long-term use may cause kidney derangements that may be life-threatening. Objective: This present study seeks to assess the levels of microalbuminuria and myoglobin in HIV positive subjects. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fifty subjects [50 HIV negative, 50 positive HAART naïve and 50 HAART treated subjects] were enrolled in the study. Plasma creatinine, urea, uric acid, myoglobin and urine microalbumin were assayed using standard methods. Results: Microalbuminuria was significantly higher (p<0.001) in HIV positive than HIV negative subjects, while the differences in the levels of urea, creatinine, uric acid and myoglobin were insignificant. The levels of urea (p<0.001), creatinine (p<0.018) and uric acid (p<0.001) were significantly higher in HIV positive HAART naïve than HIV positive on HAART. Even though the levels of microalbuminuria were higher while myoglobin was lower in HIV positive HAART naïve than HIV positive on HAART, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The levels of measured markers of renal function were higher in HIV positive subjects whether or not on HAART treatment. However, HAART treatment did not adversely affect renal function in this study.