Journal article

Authors list: Fechner, A; Böhme, CC; Gromer, S; Funk, M; Schirmer, RH; Becker, K

Publication year: 2001

Pages: 237-243

Journal: Pediatric Research

Volume number: 49

Issue number: 2

ISSN: 0031-3998

eISSN: 1530-0447

Open access status: Bronze

DOI Link: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200102000-00018

Publisher: Springer Nature [academic journals on nature.com]

Abstract: 
The pathophysiology of kwashiorkor, a severe edematous manifestation of malnutrition, is still poorly understood. The syndrome is, however, known to be associated with alterations in redox metabolism. To further elucidate the role of oxidative stress in kwashiorkor, we carried out a longitudinal study on the major blood antioxidants at the St. Joseph's Hospital, Jirapa, Ghana. All kwashiorkor patients (K) were followed up for 20 d. In comparison with local healthy controls (C), the plasma total antioxidant status was reduced to less than 50% in the patients (C, 0.87 +/- 0.21 mM; K, 0.40 +/- 0.20 mM; p < 0.001). Similarly, the major plasma antioxidant albumin (C, 40.9 +/- 2.5 g/L; K, 19.1 +/- 7.4 g/L; p < 0.001) and erythrocyte glutathione (C, 2.39 +/- 0.28 mM; K, 1.01 +/- 0.33; p ( 0.001) were decreased, whereas the levels of bilirubin and uric acid were not significantly altered. Nitrite and nitrate were found to be increased by a factor of 2 in kwashiorkor (C, 120 +/- 46 muM; K, 235 +/- 107 muM; P < 0.001). Over the observation period, the trends of albumin and glutathione Levels were related to clinical outcome. These concentrations rose in patients who recovered and fell in patients who did not. Our study strongly supports the hypothesis that oxidative and nitrosative stress play a role in the pathophysiology of edematous malnutrition. Prophylactic and therapeutic strategies should aim at the careful correction of the reduced antioxidant status of the patients.

Harvard Citation style: Fechner, A., Böhme, C., Gromer, S., Funk, M., Schirmer, R. and Becker, K. (2001) Antioxidant status and nitric oxide in the malnutrition syndrome kwashiorkor, Pediatric Research, 49(2), pp. 237-243. https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200102000-00018

APA Citation style: Fechner, A., Böhme, C., Gromer, S., Funk, M., Schirmer, R., & Becker, K. (2001). Antioxidant status and nitric oxide in the malnutrition syndrome kwashiorkor. Pediatric Research. 49(2), 237-243. https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200102000-00018