Iron status and oxidative stress biomarkers in adults: a preliminary study.
OBJECTIVE
Although essential to many vital processes, iron catalyzes reactions that produce reactive oxygen species, which are associated with the increased risk of non-communicable chronic diseases and precocious aging. This study investigated whether ferritin, hemoglobin concentration, and dietary iron consumption are related to oxidative stress biomarkers in adults.


METHODS
Data were collected from 134 allegedly healthy subjects >18 y of age who were randomly selected to participate in a cross-sectional study as part of the pilot project Prevalence of Risk Factors for Non-communicable Chronic Diseases in the Federal District, Brazil (VIVA Saúde-DF). Serum ferritin, malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl concentrations, hemoglobin, and dietary iron consumption were analyzed.


RESULTS
A weak positive correlation (r = 0.189, P = 0.032) and association (P = 0.046) was observed for serum ferritin and MDA. Hemoglobin concentrations were positively associated with serum MDA (P = 0.040). Dietary iron intake and serum protein carbonyl concentrations showed a weak positive correlation (r = 0.173, P = 0.046) for all subjects. Iron intake by women was positively associated with serum protein carbonyl (P = 0.03). A lower serum MDA concentration was found in ferritin-deficient subjects (P = 0.015) and men with anemia (P = 0.011).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that low levels of iron may reduce oxidative stress.
Mendes
Juliana Frossard Ribeiro
JF
Postgraduate Program in Human Nutrition, University of Brasília, Asa Norte, Brasília, Brazil. jufrossard@gmail.com
Arruda
Sandra Fernandes
SF
Siqueira
Egle Machado de Almeida
EM
Ito
Marina Kiyomi
MK
Silva
Eduardo Freitas da
EF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005293:Ferritins / Q000097:blood*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D015596:Nutrition Assessment; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D050050:Protein Carbonylation; D055815:Young Adult
D015415:Biomarkers; D006454:Hemoglobins; D019266:Iron, Dietary; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D005293:Ferritins; D007501:Iron