Antioxidants (Aug 2023)

The Association between Malaria and β-Carotene Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  • Kwuntida Uthaisar Kotepui,
  • Aongart Mahittikorn,
  • Polrat Wilairatana,
  • Frederick Ramirez Masangkay,
  • Manas Kotepui

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox12091687
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 9
p. 1687

Abstract

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Background: β-Carotene, which is a prominent carotenoid with notable antioxidant properties, may play a role in countering the oxidative stresses induced by malaria. The association between β-carotene levels and malaria is not yet fully understood, prompting this systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A rigorous search of databases, including Nursing and Allied Health Premium, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Ovid, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, was undertaken to collate studies that focused on β-carotene levels in malaria patients. The selected studies underwent critical appraisal, followed by data extraction for a meta-analysis. Results: Of the 2498 records initially identified, 10 were deemed suitable for synthesis. A considerable number of these studies indicated a pronounced reduction in β-carotene levels among malaria patients in contrast with uninfected individuals. The meta-analysis, encompassing 421 malaria patients and 240 uninfected controls, revealed a significant correlation between reduced β-carotene levels and malaria (p 2: 93.86%, seven studies). Conclusions: The conducted systematic review and meta-analysis corroborated the correlation between lower β-carotene levels and malaria. The intricate relationship between malaria and β-carotene merits deeper exploration. A comprehensive understanding of this association might pave the way for innovative therapeutic approaches leveraging the antioxidant attributes of β-carotene to combat malaria-induced oxidative stress.

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