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Protein-energy malnutrition contributes to increased structural chromosomal alteration frequencies in Argentinean

Gisel Padula1, Susana A Salceda, Analia I Seoane

  • 1IGEVET, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata-CONICET, Argentina; IDIP (MS/CIC-PBA) Hospital de Niños de La Plata, Ministerio de Salud de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina. giselpadula@yahoo.com.ar

Nutrition Research (New York, N.Y.)
|February 3, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Protein-energy malnutrition significantly increases genetic damage in children. Malnourished infants showed a nearly 7-fold higher frequency of chromosomal aberrations compared to healthy controls, highlighting critical nutrient and repair mechanism roles.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Genetics
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Conflicting results exist regarding the link between protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) and genetic damage.
  • Previous studies in humans and animals have explored this relationship with inconclusive findings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the induction of structural chromosomal aberrations in peripheral blood lymphocytes of children suffering from primary protein-energy malnutrition.
  • To compare the frequency of these aberrations in malnourished children versus a matched control group.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 25 malnourished infants and 25 age- and sex-matched eutrophic children.
  • Assessment of nutritional status via anthropometric and clinical evaluations.
  • Analysis of 100 cultured lymphocytes per patient for chromosomal aberrations after a 48-hour culture period.

Main Results:

  • The frequency of chromosomal aberrations was significantly higher (P < .001) in malnourished infants (14.61%) compared to controls (2.2%), representing a nearly 7-fold increase.
  • Specific aberrations observed included achromatic lesions, breaks, and telomeric associations.
  • Statistical analysis was performed using Epi Dat 3.0.

Conclusions:

  • Primary protein-energy malnutrition is associated with a substantial increase in structural chromosomal aberrations in children.
  • This DNA damage may stem from deficiencies in essential nutrients (e.g., zinc, iron, vitamin A), impaired DNA repair mechanisms, or reduced protection against oxidative stress.

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