Correlation between nutritional assessment and oxidative stress in candidates for liver transplant

To evaluate the oxidative profile, nutritional status and food intake (caloric value; macronutrients; vitamins A, E and C; and zinc), and to correlate oxidative stress with nutritional status in patients who were candidates for liver transplant.

This is a cross-sectional, analytical, and descriptive study with 51 candidates for liver transplant. Sociodemographic and clinical data, anthropometric parameters, food consumption, and a 10mL blood sample were collected from each patient. Oxidative stress was analyzed by the thiobarbituric acid method. The consumption of macronutrients, caloric value and micronutrients (zinc, vitamins A, E and C) were qualitatively analyzed, and zinc was also quantitatively analyzed.

The mean age was 49.17±8.17 years. The highest percentage of malnutrition was according to arm muscle circumference (56.86%), followed by arm circumference (52.94%), triceps skin fold (50.98%), and body mass index (1.96%). The mean malondialdehyde level was 14.80±8.72μM/L, presenting a negative correlation with the body mass index for patients with liver cirrhosis according to IMC-Campillo values (p=0.001; r=-0.430). Low energy, carbohydrate, protein, vitamin A and E consumption were observed in more than 50% of subjects.

This study showed an association of nutritional status through body mass index for patients with liver cirrhosis according to IMC-Campillo, with oxidative stress in patients with liver cirrhosis on a liver transplant waiting list.