MALARIAL PARASITES AND ANTIOXIDANT NUTRIENTS

Susceptibility to oxidative stress is a well-established feature of th e malarial parasite. Pharmacologists have taken advantage of this prop erty to design highly effective pro-oxidant antimalarial drugs. Less w ell appreciated is the fact that nutritional manipulation of host oxid ative stress status by dietary means can have a profound effect on the growth of the parasite. In particular, rapid induction of vitamin E d eficiency in mice by feeding highly unsaturated fatty acids (fish oil) strongly suppresses plasmodial growth. Likewise, the status of other antioxidant nutrients (e.g., riboflavin or vitamin C) may also influen ce the course of malarial infection under certain conditions. A combin ed nutritional pharmacology approach may offer some promise in control ling malaria.