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eISSN: 2379-6367

Pharmacy & Pharmacology International Journal

Opinion Volume 6 Issue 4

Alcohol and malaria

Pierre Lutgen

IFBV-BELHERB, Luxembourg

Correspondence: Pierre Lutgen, IFBV-BELHERB, BP 98 L-6905, Niederanven, Luxembourg

Received: July 18, 2018 | Published: August 8, 2018

Citation: Lutgen P. Alcohol and malaria. Pharm Pharmacol Int J. 2018;6(4):310-311. DOI: 10.15406/ppij.2018.06.00193

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Opinion

In a large scale clinical trial with malaria infected patients in RDCongo comparing ACTs with Artemisia infusion we observed a gender difference. Whilst both genders responded equally well to Artemisia, in the ACT-treated arm there was significantly more gametocyte carriage in females than males for days 14-28. Having no valid explanation for this observation, one may wonder if it due to differences in enzyme between males and females, like those which are responsible for a lower susceptibility of males to alcohol consumption. It is well known on the other hand that alcohol consumption, especially palm wine, is much higher for males than for females in tropical countries.1,2 During gametocytogenenesis malaria parasites hide in the bone marrow. Ethanol has an effect on bone marrow. Biopsies from 30 alcohol-dependent individuals were investigated. The findings took the form of heightened ineffective erythropoiesis in bone marrow associated with impaired iron utilization. Both may be detrimental to the survival of the gametocytes.3 The effect of ethanol on the in vitro growth of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum was investigated during six days of incubation. A significant growth inhibition for ethanol concentrations was observed on each day. Malarial parasites are strongly inhibited by ethanol concentrations.4,5

Fever is accompanied by glycogen destruction. This was already discovered more than 100 years ago. Glycogen disappears from the liver during tetanus, diphtheria and pneumonia. A natural way of our body to fight parasites and diseases. It makes thus complete nonsense to fight fever in the early stages of a malaria infection.6,7 Alcohol also removes glycogen from the liver.8 Chronic ethanol consumption also results in a dramatic decrease in liver glycogen concentrations, which could be related to either a depressed rate of synthesis or an increased rate of breakdown.9 Macrophages, including Kupffer cells, appear to increase their production of cytokines in patients with alcoholic liver disease. Precursors of macrophages, i.e. monocytes with alcohol induced hepatitis produce greater amounts of TNF-α and reactive oxygen species. These data have been confirmed in animals. Malaria parasites are destroyed by oxidative species, like NO, H2O2 or artemisinin peroxides.10‒12 Wine is efficient against other pathogens. An in vitro study was undertaken to determine the potential for survival of enteric pathogens in common drinking beverages. Three carbonated soft drinks, two alcoholic beverages, skim milk, and water were inoculated with Salmonella, Shigella, and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and quantitative counts were performed over 2 days. The study showed poorest survival of all three organisms in wine, and greatest growth in milk and water.

Long-term intake of alcohol affects the immune system. Serum levels of immunoglobulins (total IgE, IgG, IgM, and IgA) therefore, were analyzed in adult chronic alcoholics in Indian population and were correlated with different epidemiological and alcohol-related parameters. The results showed that 98% of alcoholics had abnormal immunoglobulin levels and 92% showed high or very high total serum IgE levels compared to 24% of the control group. Several other studies have shown that that total serum IgE concentrations are increased in moderate alcohol consumers with respect to abstainers. This increase is independent of cofounders such as age, sex, liver disease, cigarette smoking.13‒16 In a recent paper we have shown how IgE contributes to malaria prophylaxis.17 Alcohol can increase the solubility of poorly soluble drugs and hence increase their bioavailability. And increases the intestinal permeability to indigested macromolecules.18,19

Palm wines

A study from Niger showed that palm wine consumption may deplete the body's antioxidants against free radical attacks and render the body in a state of oxidative stress.20 In Nigeria a face-to-face ethno-medical survey on 1000 randomly selected families in confirmed the use of palm wines as antimicrobial agents and prophylactic agents against malaria. The hypothesized mechanism is that the ethanol content of the palm wines may increase membrane fluidity, altering ion channels and K⁺ content of the infected erythrocytes thereby impairing motor performance of Plasmodia.21,22 Medicinal herbs can be infused in palm wine. Palm wine is added to the decoctions of bitter herbs to increase their palatability. Palm wine is very rich in potassium, sodium is only present in traces, a situation very similar to that of Artemisia annua.23 Many palm wines are rich in anthocyanins concentrated in the pericarp. Anthocyanins have a strong effect on hemozoin inhibition like in black or red grapes or in pomegranate.24,25

Conclusion

It is hard to outline a conclusion. Heavy alcohol drinking certainly never should be recommended. Alcoholism is a health problem. Lets rather listen to the French” Boire du vin rouge modérément est bon pour la santé”.

Acknowledgements

None.

Conflict of interest

The author declares that there is no Conflict of interest.

References

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©2018 Lutgen. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.

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