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Free radicals and antioxidant status in protein energy malnutrition

M Khare1, C Mohanty1, B K Das2

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India.

International Journal of Pediatrics
|May 3, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) in children causes oxidative stress, leading to increased harmful reactive oxygen species (ROSs) and decreased protective antioxidants. These changes correlate with malnutrition severity.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Pediatrics
  • Nutritional Science

Background:

  • Protein Energy Malnutrition (PEM) is a significant health issue in children.
  • PEM can disrupt the body's delicate balance between oxidants and antioxidants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the oxidant and antioxidant status in children with varying grades of PEM.
  • To understand the relationship between PEM severity and redox homeostasis.

Main Methods:

  • Studied 250 children (6 months to 5 years) in India, including 193 with mild, moderate, and severe PEM, and 57 healthy controls.
  • Assessed redox homeostasis using spectrophotometric/colorimetric methods to measure key oxidative and antioxidant markers.
  • Standardized weight and height measurements for PEM grading.

Main Results:

  • Children with PEM showed significantly decreased levels of erythrocyte glutathione (GSH), plasma Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD), ceruloplasmin (Cp), and ascorbic acid compared to controls.
  • Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) levels were significantly elevated in children with PEM.
  • These findings indicate increased oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant capacity in PEM.

Conclusions:

  • PEM induces oxidative stress, characterized by overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROSs).
  • ROSs contribute to membrane oxidation, increasing lipid peroxidation byproducts (MDA) and protein oxidation byproducts (PC).
  • Decreased antioxidant levels suggest a compromised defense system, potentially correlating with PEM grading.

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