Plasma glutathione and oxidized glutathione level, glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio, and albumin concentration in complicated and uncomplicated falciparum malaria

Objective: To compare the level of glutathione(GSH) and oxidized glutathione(GSSG),the ratio of GSH/GSSG and the concentration of albumin in plasma of patients with complicated and un-complicated falciparum malaria.Methods: This research was a cross sectional study using comparison analysis with the plasma GSH and GSSG, the ratio of plasma GSH/GSSG and the concentration of plasma albumin as variables. The complicated malaria patients were obtained from Dr. Saiful Anwar Hospital Malang, whereas uncomplicated malaria patients were obtained from the Regency of Pleihari South Kalimantan. Plasma GSH and GSSG levels were determined by the spectrophotometer at the wave length of 412 nm, whereas the concentration of albumin was determined by bromocresol green method in the p H of 4.1.Results: There were no significant differences between the level of plasma GSH and GSSG in complicated and uncomplicated malaria patients, as well as the ratio of plasma GSH/GSSG in the two groups(P = 0.373; P = 0.538; and P = 0.615, respectively, independent ttest). In contrast, the plasma albumin concentration in complicated malaria patients were significantly higher than uncomplicated malaria patients(P = 0.000, Mann Whitney U test).Conclusions: It can be concluded that the average of plasma GSH and GSSG level, also plasma GSH/GSSG ratio in complicated malaria are not different from uncomplicated malaria. Although plasma concentration of albumin in both groups is below the normal range,there is an increase in complicated malaria that might be as compensation of oxidative stress.

The level of chemerin and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein in Toxoplasma gondii seropositive obese individuals

Objective: To know the difference between chemerin and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein(AFABP) levels in obese individuals with positive Toxoplasma gondii(T. gondii)immunoglobulin G(IgG) compared with negative T. gondii IgG.Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study by using consecutive sampling methods conducted from January to April 2013. The subjects were 57 obese individuals who were divided into obese group of positive and negative T. gondii IgG. The level of chemerin,AFABP and T. gondii IgG was done by ELISA. The data were analyzed by independent t test.Results: The results showed that the level of chemerin of positive T. gondii IgG group was significantly higher than the negative T. gondii IgG group [(70.0 ± 16.5) vs.(64.4 ± 16.1) pg/mL; P = 0.003], but there was not significant AFABP difference between seropositive and negative IgG groups [(83.6 ± 41.9) vs.(74.2 ± 36.7) pg/mL; P = 0.598].Conclusions: It can be concluded that the level of chemerin of seropositive T. gondii IgG was higher than that in the negative T. gondii IgG group.