The role of interleukin-6 in vitamin A deficiency during Plasmodium falciparum malaria and possible consequences for vitamin A supplementation

Immunology. 1992 Mar;75(3):553-4.

Abstract

Kinetics of serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) were studied in patients with acute Plasmodium falciparum malaria in relation to vitamin A and its binding proteins, retinol binding protein (RBP) and pre-albumin. It was found that IL-6 levels followed the rise and decrease of parasitaemia by 12 hr and correlated inversely with levels of vitamin A and its binding proteins. These data suggest that vitamin A supplementation alone might still be insufficient to restore a malaria-induced vitamin A deficiency.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-6 / metabolism
  • Interleukin-6 / physiology*
  • Kinetics
  • Malaria, Falciparum / complications*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Vitamin A / blood
  • Vitamin A / therapeutic use*
  • Vitamin A Deficiency / drug therapy
  • Vitamin A Deficiency / etiology*

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Vitamin A