The Oxidative Stress-Mediated Effects in Pregnant Mice with Plasmodium berghei Infection

Abstract

Malaria during pregnancy can lead to various pathological conditions for pregnant women and fetuses such as fever, abortion, low birth weight, and fetal death. In this study, we examined differences in oxidative stress-mediated effects in pregnant and offspring mice in Plasmodium berghei infection. A Complete randomized design was used in this study, in which 25 mice were divided into five groups. Group 1 as a control group, consisted of non-pregnant and Plasmodium-uninfected mice, group 2 comprised pregnant and uninfected mice, group 3 to 5 were pregnant mice and were infected with 1 x 101iRBCs, 1 x 102 iRBCs, and 1 x 103 iRBCs respectively. On the fourth day of post-treatment, the parasite level was calculated. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels of mother's and offspring's liver and spleen were observed by using the TBARS Assay Kit, also the superoxide dismutase activities. As supporting data the histological analysis of the mother's and offspring's liver and spleen were prepared by using the paraffin method. There were sigificant results in the parasites levels and the increase in P. berghei infection followed an increase of oxidative stress in mothers and offspring mouse in the treatment and control groups. The liver and spleen of mothers have been affected with P. berghei infection, however, there are still no effects on the offsprings, and the body weight of the offsprings from infected mothers were lower than uninfected mothers. This study revealed that P. berghei infection had different effects in oxidative stress-mediated in pregnant mice, but not their offspring.