Kotepui KU, Mahittikorn A, Wilairatana P, Masangkay FR, Kotepui M. The Association between Malaria and β-Carotene Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Antioxidants (Basel) 2023;
12:1687. [PMID:
37759990 PMCID:
PMC10525879 DOI:
10.3390/antiox12091687]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
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 < 0.01, Hedges's g: -1.26, 95% CI: -2.00-(-0.53), I2: 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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