INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF COMBINED OMEGA-3 FATTY ACID, VITAMIN A AND E ADMINISTRATION ON ANTIOXIDANT ENZYME ACTIVITIES IN THE BRAIN AND LIVER OF RATS TREATHED WITH ARTEMISININ-BASED COMBINATION THERAPY DRUGS

The endemic prevalence of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, combined with the widespread use of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs), raises significant concerns regarding the potential induction of oxidative stress and its associated toxic effects. This highlights the urgent need for strategies to mitigate oxidative damage in patients undergoing ACT treatment. This study investigates the effects of combined administration of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, and E on antioxidant enzyme activities, specifically glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase, in the brain and liver of rats treated with ACTs. A total of 35 rats, with an average body weight of 150g, were divided into five experimental groups; Group 1 served as the control, while Group 2 was treated with Artemether-Lumefantrine (AL) at a dose of 1.23/7.23mg/kg twice a day. Group 3 received Artesunate-Amodiaquine (AA) at a dose of 1.54/4.62mg/kg twice a day Group 4 was treated with Artemether-Lumefantrine plus supplements (ALS) at a dose of 300 mg per kg, and Group 5 received Artesunate-Amodiaquine with supplements (AAS), also at a dose of 300 mg per kg. The activities of GPx, SOD, and catalase were assessed in both brain and liver tissues. Results demonstrated that treatment with AL and AA significantly decreased the activities of GPx, SOD, and catalase, indicating an increase in oxidative stress. Conversely, groups receiving supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins A and E (OMVAE) exhibited enhanced activities of GPx, SOD, and catalase, along with reduced levels of MDA and AOPP. These findings suggest that OMVAE supplementation may confer protective effects against oxidative damage induced by ACTs. This study underscores the potential therapeutic benefits of combined supplementation for mitigating oxidative stress in malaria patients, addressing a critical health concern in the region. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) significantly impair antioxidant enzyme activities, specifically GPx, SOD, and catalase, in the brain and liver, thereby increasing oxidative stress in rats. Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins A, and E effectively mitigates this oxidative damage, enhancing the activities of these crucial enzymes and reducing markers of oxidative stress. These findings highlight the potential of combined supplementation as a therapeutic strategy to protect against the adverse effects of ACTs, suggesting a promising approach for improving patient outcomes in malaria treatment within sub-Saharan Africa. Further research is warranted to explore the clinical implications of these results.