The present study investigated the protective state of endogenous antioxidants against free radicals generated in human plasmodium malaria. Two hundred structured questionnaires were administered to the participants and blood samples were collected to assess the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Results showed that the 200 volunteered participants, 32% (73) and 68% (127) were males and females respectively. There was discrepancy in the number of male (12%) and female (31%) respondents in the low oxidative stress category as well as in the moderate oxidative stress category where 69% were females and 84% were males. However, in the high oxidative stress category 4% of the observed respondents were males. All participants tested were positive for parasitaemia and categorized as high and low parasitaemic patients. Qualitative examinations of the impact of malaria showed that 30%, 67% and 3% high parasitaemic patients exhibited low, medium and high oxidative stress respectively while 55%, 45% and 0% low parasitaemic patients demonstrated low, medium and high oxidative stress respectively. Furthermore, there were significant elevation (P<0.05) in the levels of plasma protein concentration, superoxide dismutase and glutathione S-transferase activities in the low parasitaemic patients compared to the high parasitaemic groups. However, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the level of glutathione and catalase activity between high and low parasitaemic patients. This study indicates that high parasitaemic patients are at greater risk of oxidative damage than low parasitaemic group, hence early diagnosis and treatment of malaria is highly encouraged.
