Abstract
Feeding vitamin E-deficient diets containing either fish oils such as menhaden, salmon, or anchovy oil or fish oil concentrates based on n-3 ethyl esters or free fatty acids protected mice against
Plasmodium yoelii as indicated by decreased parasitemia and improved survival. The fish oil concentrates depressed plasma tocopherol levels more strongly in vitamin E-supplemented mice than the menhaden oil. The free fatty acid concentrate appeared to suppress parasitemia in vitamin E-deficient mice better than the menhaden oil, although ultimate survival was similar in both groups. Dietary manipulation of host antioxidant status offers promise as a possible means of malaria control.
