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Assessment of antioxidants status and superoxide dismutase activity in HIV-infected children
Camila Pugliese1, Rose Vega Patin1, Cecilia Zanin Palchetti1
1Division of Nutrology, Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Insights
HIV-infected children show poor selenium and copper status, impacting health. Addressing these micronutrient deficiencies may improve clinical outcomes and reduce oxidative stress in children living with HIV.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Infectious Diseases
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection can affect nutritional status.
- Micronutrient deficiencies are common in pediatric populations with chronic illnesses.
- Selenium, copper, and zinc play crucial roles in immune function and antioxidant defense.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the nutritional status of selenium, copper, and zinc in HIV-infected children.
- To assess erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity in HIV-infected children compared to controls.
- To investigate the relationship between micronutrient status and growth parameters.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 51 HIV-infected children and 32 healthy siblings.
- Biochemical measurements included plasma selenium, serum copper, and serum/erythrocyte zinc levels.
- Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity was assessed alongside dietary and clinical data.
Main Results:
- HIV-infected children exhibited lower height-for-age z-scores and a higher prevalence of stunting.
- Significantly lower plasma selenium and higher serum copper levels were observed in HIV-infected children.
- A higher proportion of HIV-infected children had inadequate zinc intake, but no biochemical association was found.
Conclusions:
- HIV-infected children often present with inadequate selenium and copper nutritional status.
- These deficiencies may contribute to disease progression and increased oxidative stress.
- Optimizing micronutrient status could improve clinical conditions and mitigate cellular damage 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 superoxide 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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