Assessment of antioxidants status and superoxide dismutase activity 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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Division of Nutrology, Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Camila
C
Pugliese
Division of Nutrology, Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Rose Vega
RV
Patin
Division of Nutrology, Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Cecilia Zanin
CZ
Palchetti
Division of Nutrology, Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Cristiane Chiantelli
CC
Claudio
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Aída de Fátima Thomé Barbosa
Ade F
Gouvêa
Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Regina Célia de Menezes
RC
Succi
Division of Nutrology, Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Olga Maria Silverio
OM
Amancio
Department of Food and Experimental Nutrition, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Silvia Maria Franciscato
SM
Cozzolino
Division of Nutrology, Department of Pediatrics, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: fernandalco.dped@epm.br.
Fernanda Luisa Ceragioli
FL
Oliveira
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015930:Diet Records; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000502:physiology*; D012643:Selenium / Q000097:blood; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D003300:Copper; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D012643:Selenium; D015032:Zinc
Antioxidants; HIV and nutrition; Oxidative stress; Trace elements