title: Retinol, β-carotene and oxidative stress in systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  patients suffering systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) constitute a group susceptible to elevated levels of oxidative stress. This study's aim is to evaluate the state of oxidative stress and levels of serum retinol and β-carotene in these patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  forty-six patients were divided into 2 groups: those those without diet (G1; n=18) and those with enteral nutritional support (G2; n=28). Serum levels of retinol and total carotenoids were measured. C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and Apache scores were also calculated. Oxidative stress was estimated by measuring thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels.
  
  
  RESULTS
  the patients' median age was 66.9 (SD=19.3) years. Lower concentrations of retinol and carotenoids were found in 68.6 and 66.7% of G1, respectively. In G2, despite average vitamin A levels being 8078 + 4035, retinol and β-carotene were considered insufficient (31.2 and 33.4%, respectively). No difference was noted between the 2 groups, according to the variables studied, with the exception being PCR and β-carotene (p=0.002; p=0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the data presented in this study supports the need to establish/revise clinical practices in treating SIRS patients, in light of this micronutrient's role in the immune system and antioxidant defense without it interfering with its toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Micronutrients, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nogueira
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Micronutrients, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.affiliation: Head of the Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Therapy Team, Vicente de Paulo Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Edson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lameu
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Micronutrients, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Franca
authors.affiliation: Research Center for Micronutrients, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cíntia Letícia da Silva
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Applied Nutrition, Institute of Nutrition, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
authors.forename: Andréa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ramalho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D019207:beta Carotene / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D019207:beta Carotene; D014801:Vitamin A; D002097:C-Reactive Protein