Assessment of antioxidants status and superoxide dismutase activity in HIV-infected children

Objective:This study aims to assess the nutritional status of selenium, copper and zinc; and also the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity of HIV-infected children compared to a control group.Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out with prepubertal HIV-infected children (n = 51) and their healthy siblings (n = 32). All biochemical measurements including plasma selenium, serum copper levels, serum and erythrocyte zinc levels and erythrocyte super-oxide dismutase activity were evaluated according to dietary, clinical and biochemical parameters.Results:Compared to the control group, the HIV-infected children had lower z-score values for height-for-age (p = 0.0006), higher prevalence of stunting (11.8%) (p = 0.047), lower selenium levels (p = 0.0006) and higher copper levels (p = 0.019). No difference was found concerning superoxide dismutase activity (p > 0.05). The HIV-infected group presented a higher proportion (45.1%) of children with zinc intakes below the estimated average requirement (p = 0.014); however, no association with zinc biochemical parameters was found.Conclusion:HIV-infected children have an inadequate selenium and copper nutritional status, which could influence the progression to AIDS. An adequate micronutrient status could improve the clinical conditions in these patients and minimize free radical production and cellular oxidative stress.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Pugliese,Camila, Patin,Rose Vega, Palchetti,Cecilia Zanin, Claudio,Cristiane Chiantelli, Gouvêa,Aída de Fátima Thomé Barbosa, Succi,Regina Célia de Menezes, Amancio,Olga Maria Silverio, Cozzolino,Silvia Maria Franciscato, Oliveira,Fernanda Luisa Ceragioli
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases 2014
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1413-86702014000500481
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Summary:Objective:This study aims to assess the nutritional status of selenium, copper and zinc; and also the erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity of HIV-infected children compared to a control group.Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out with prepubertal HIV-infected children (n = 51) and their healthy siblings (n = 32). All biochemical measurements including plasma selenium, serum copper levels, serum and erythrocyte zinc levels and erythrocyte super-oxide dismutase activity were evaluated according to dietary, clinical and biochemical parameters.Results:Compared to the control group, the HIV-infected children had lower z-score values for height-for-age (p = 0.0006), higher prevalence of stunting (11.8%) (p = 0.047), lower selenium levels (p = 0.0006) and higher copper levels (p = 0.019). No difference was found concerning superoxide dismutase activity (p > 0.05). The HIV-infected group presented a higher proportion (45.1%) of children with zinc intakes below the estimated average requirement (p = 0.014); however, no association with zinc biochemical parameters was found.Conclusion:HIV-infected children have an inadequate selenium and copper nutritional status, which could influence the progression to AIDS. An adequate micronutrient status could improve the clinical conditions in these patients and minimize free radical production and cellular oxidative stress.