3-HMG-Coa Reductase Inhibitor Modulates Parasitological Response in Malaria Patients Treated with Amodiaquine
Ndubuisi N. Nwobodo1* and Paul O. Okonkwo2

1Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria.

2Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Nigeria.

Abstract: The occurrence of parasitological resistance to amodiaquine has been reported globally. The 3-HMG CoA reductase inhibitors, otherwise known as statins have been shown to inhibit the growth of malaria parasite.This study was aimed at evaluating the effects of simvastatin in modulating parasitological response to amodiaquine in the chemotherapy of malaria. Subjects with frank malaria (n=60) diagnosed by thick blood film and and confirmed using immunological tests were nominated for the study. Informed written content was obtained and subjects randomized into amodiaquine plus simvastatin (test) and amodiaquine alone (control) groups. The ethical clearance certificate was obtained from the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Research Ethics Committee (NHREC/05/01/2008B). The assessment of parasitological response was done in line with WHO criteria and patients followed up on days D0, D3, D7, D14 and D28 post-treatment. The GraphPad Prism 4.0 was employed in the analysis of data which was presented as tables and graphs. Revealed a statistically significant difference in parasitological response (p<0.05) between test and control groups. The mean value of low level resistance, RI was given as 1.3

Keywords: Amodiaquine; Falciparum malaria; HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor; Parasitological failure; Parasitological resistance; Simvastatin

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