Antioxidant Micronutrient Status Research Articles

Serum antioxidant micronutrient levels in pre-eclamptic pregnant women in Enugu, south-East Nigeria: a comparative cross-sectional analytical study

BackgroundPre-eclampsia is a common obstetric complication of pregnancy in Nigeria, and oxidative stress has been implicated in its aetiopathogenesis. Despite this fact, there is a paucity of information regarding the serum antioxidant micronutrient status of pre-eclamptic Nigerian women. The objective of the was to determine the mean serum levels of some antioxidant trace elements (copper, zinc, selenium, magnesium, manganese) in pre-eclamptic pregnant women and compare with that of healthy pregnant women in Enugu, South-Eastern, Nigeria.MethodsA cross-sectional analytical study was carried out at the Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of the University of Nigeria, Teaching Hospital Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu. Using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, the sera of 81 pregnant pre-eclamptic and 81 matched healthy pregnant controls were analyzed for the antioxidant micronutrients. Both descriptive and inferential analysis was performed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 and a P value of < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.ResultsThe mean serum levels of copper, selenium, and magnesium were found to be significantly lower in the pre-eclamptic pregnant group when compared to the healthy pregnant controls (p < 0.05). The mean serum levels of zinc and manganese did not differ between the two groups (p > 0.05). All the mean serum levels of micro-nutrients studied did not vary by category of pre-eclampsia (with or without severity findings) except manganese which was significantly lower in pre-eclamptic women without severity findings when compared to those with severity findings (p = 0.043).ConclusionsThe serum levels of copper, selenium, and magnesium were significantly lower among pre-eclamptics when compared to their normal healthy controls. Low levels of selenium, copper, and magnesium may have contributed to the incidence of pre-eclampsia in our environment.

Homocysteine, antioxidant micronutrients and late onset dementia

To distinguish between contributions to dementia made by homocysteine, folate, B12 and antioxidant micronutrients. This is a follow-up study of a sample reported in 2002. Homocysteine was measured at baseline in 201 individuals born in 1921 and without dementia at age 77 years and followed up to age 88 years. Baseline macro- and micronutrient status was estimated from BMI, the MONICA food frequency questionnaire, plasma folate, B12 and, in a subgroup (N = 173), plasma antioxidant micronutrients. Time to dementia onset during follow-up was compared between participants grouped by homocysteine concentration using Cox regression. Model 1 adjusted for age, sex, childhood IQ, education, socioeconomic deprivation, presence of heart disease, hypertension, plasma folate and B12. In model 2 plasma, antioxidants were added to these covariables. During a mean follow-up of about 5 years, there were 39 incident dementia cases among 201 participants. In model 1, being in the highest homocysteine group (>14 μmol/L) was associated with a 234 % increased risk (HR 3.34, 95 % CI 1.16-9.57) of any dementia. After inclusion of plasma antioxidants in model 2, there were 32 incident dementia cases from a subsample (N = 173). Homocysteine >14 μmol was associated with a 272 % increased dementia risk (HR = 3.72, 95 % CI 1.06-13.08). High homocysteine increases the risk of dementia. The association between tHcy and dementia is independent of plasma folate, B12 and antioxidant micronutrient status.

Lower antioxidant vitamins (A, C and E) and trace minerals (Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe and Se) status in patients with cerebrovascular disease

The management of antioxidant micronutrient status in patients with chronic diseases may be an important step in controlling disease progression and preventing deterioration in patient quality of life. The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant micronutrient status and lipid profiles of cerebrovascular disease (CbVD) patients and to compare this information with an evaluation of normal healthy subjects. A total of 57 male subjects (26 patients with CbVD and 31 healthy subjects) and 65 female subjects (32 patients with CbVD and 33 healthy subjects) were included in this cross-sectional study. Plasma lipid profiles, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), fasting plasma concentration of antioxidant vitamins (A, C, E) and trace minerals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe and Se) were measured. Compared to healthy subjects, male but not female CbVD patients showed a lower energy intake ( p

Low plasma selenium concentrations, high plasma human immunodeficiency virus load and high interleukin-6 concentrations are risk factors associated with anemia in adults presenting with pulmonary tuberculosis in Zomba district, Malawi

Although anemia is common among adults with pulmonary tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in sub-Saharan Africa, the factors contributing to its pathogenesis have not been well characterized. To characterize the antioxidant micronutrient status, interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations, and HIV load in relationship with anemia in adults with pulmonary tuberculosis. Zomba district, Malawi. Erythropoietin, IL-6, plasma HIV load, and markers of micronutrient status (hemoglobin (Hb), plasma concentrations of retinol, alpha-tocopherol, carotenoids, ferritin, zinc, and selenium) were measured in 500 adults who presented with pulmonary tuberculosis in Zomba Central Hospital, Malawi. Among 370 HIV-positive and 130 HIV-negative adults, the prevalence of anemia was 88 and 77%, respectively (P = 0.002), and moderate to severe anemia (Hb < 80 g/l) occurred in 30 and 15%, respectively (P = 0.001). Geometric mean IL-6 concentration was 21.1 pg/ml, with no difference between HIV-positive and -negative adults. The erythropoietin response to anemia was not different between adults with elevated IL-6 and those with lower IL-6 concentrations. In a multivariate logistic regression model, HIV load, and lower plasma selenium concentrations were associated with moderate to severe anemia. In a final multivariate linear regression model, IL-6, plasma HIV load, and plasma selenium concentrations were associated with Hb concentrations. This study suggests that low selenium concentrations, high HIV load, and high IL-6 concentrations are associated with anemia in adults with pulmonary tuberculosis in sub-Saharan Africa.

Potential Antioxidant Trace Mineral (Zn, Mn, Cu and Fe) Concentrations Measured by Biochemical Indices in South Koreans

The concern of the antioxidant micronutrient status in normal healthy people, including antioxidant trace minerals such as Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe and Se is focused since systemic oxidation is involved in various chronic diseases. In the present study, we evaluated the concentration of trace minerals (Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe) which are considered as potential antioxidant minerals in plasma, red blood cells (RBCs) and urine in normal healthy Korean subjects. The 760 subjects (male 341, female 419; mean age 54.2±18.9) were recruited from the rural, urban and metropolitan city in South Korea. Dietary intake was evaluated using 24-hours recall for general major nutrient intake assessment. The trace elements (Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe) concentrations in plasma, RBCs, and urine were measured by inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometer (ICP) and atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Cu and Zn levels in plasma, RBCs and urine in normal healthy South Koreans were within the normal range of those mineral levels, but Mn and Fe levels were higher compared to the normal range of those mineral levels. None of the selected trace mineral levels in plasma and RBC's was lower than the normal range value. The results showed that Zn and Cu levels in plasma and RBC's in Korean were within the normal range, and plasma and urinary Mn and Fe levels were higher than the normal reference values. Potential antioxidant trace mineral (Cu, Mn, Zn and Fe) levels in Koreans are within or a bit higher than the normal range.

Antioxidant micronutrients in children with thalassaemia in Egypt

Repeated blood transfusions in patients with thalassaemia subject them to peroxidative tissue injury by secondary iron overload. To study the relationship between iron overload and antioxidant micronutrient status among children with thalassaemia, we measured serum levels of vitamins A and E, zinc, selenium, and copper in 64 children with beta-thalassaemia major and 63 age- and sex-matched controls. All of these elements were significantly lower in the thalassaemic children compared with controls. There was a highly significant inverse correlation between serum ferritin and serum retinol levels, and significant inverse correlations between serum iron and retinol and between serum iron and selenium. Serum ferritin showed a significant positive correlation with duration of chelation and transfusion treatments. Ways are needed to counteract this oxidative damage and its deleterious effect on the prognosis of thalassaemia.

Relationship between cigarette smoking and nutrient intakes and blood status indices of older people living in the UK: further analysis of data from the National Diet and Nutrition Survey of people aged 65 years and over, 1994/95.

To examine the relationship between cigarette smoking and a range of nutrient intakes and blood status indices in older people. National Diet and Nutrition Survey: cross-sectional survey of nationally representative sample of people aged 65 years and over. Mainland Britain during 1994/95. 1191 people (619 male, 572 female) aged 65 years and over, of whom 920 were living in private households and 271 were living in institutions. Cigarette smoking was inversely correlated with intakes of antioxidants and other micronutrients after adjustment for age, sex and domicile. Cigarette smoking was also inversely correlated with a number of antioxidant micronutrient status indices including plasma vitamin C and the carotenoids (but not vitamin E status indices), and with other micronutrient status indices, including plasma pyridoxal phosphate, red cell and serum folate, after adjustment for age, sex, domicile and the corresponding nutrient intake. Previous cigarette smoking or cigar/pipe smoking was not generally associated with lower nutrient intakes or status indices, however, both current and previous cigarette smoking was associated with increased concentrations of acute phase indicators. Further adjustment for total energy intake and/or sociodemographic, health and drug usage variables attenuated only a few of the associations observed. Older people who smoke cigarettes are at increased risk of suboptimal antioxidant and other micronutrient intakes and status, but the lower intakes found in cigarette smokers only partly explain their reduced blood indices.

The inter-relation of maternal immune competence, HIV-1 viral load, and nutritional status in preventing vertical transmission: an alternative to chemoprophylaxis?

As the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) global pandemic moves towards the end of its second decade, women of reproductive age throughout the world have been shown to be increasingly at risk for acquiring HIV-1 infection. Recently, the focus for preventive measures has expanded to include preventing the perinatal transmission of HIV-1 to fetuses and newborns. This manuscript reviews the available literature that examines risk factors for perinatal transmission, immunopathogenesis of HIV-1 infection, and the role that antioxidant micronutrients play in modulating immune response to HIV-1 disease progression. The available information provides a compelling case for the design of studies that evaluate the extent to which maternal HIV-1 viremia and disease progression are modulated by her nutritional status. Should results from these studies confirm that antioxidant micronutrient status is inversely related to HIV-1 RNA load, particularly in economically vulnerable populations, carefully designed and executed supplementation trials would be warranted.

Lipid peroxidation level and antioxidant micronutrient status in a pre-aging population; correlation with chronic disease prevalence in a French epidemiological study (Nantes, France).

The general objective of the Etude du Viellissement Arterial (EVA) program is to follow vascular aging and the decline in cognitive functions at the cerebrovascular level longitudinally over a 4-year period. One of the specific objectives of this EVA study is to examine epidemiologically the relationship between the markers of oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation), the antioxidant micronutrient status (particularly of selenium, vitamin E, and the carotenoids) and the prevalence of chronic disorders occurring during the pre-aging period.1389 subjects aged from 59 to 71 years were studied.The concentration of plasma lipid peroxides was higher than in young adults (2.91 +/− 0.38, men; 2.97 +/− 0.40, women (mumol/l). On the other hand, plasma Se (1.09 +/− 0.21, men; 1.10 +/− 0.19, women (mumol/l)), erythrocyte vitamin E (5.32 +/− 1.29, men; 5.52 +/− 1.28, women (mumol/l)), and total plasma carotenoids (2.19 +/− 0.98, men; 3.07 +/− 1.33, women (mumol/l)) were comparable to values in young adults. In our cohort, 40% of subjects had unremarkable medical histories. The disorders most often encountered were lipemia (29.8% of men, 36.1% of women), and hypertension (28.9% of men, 30.4% of women).Se and vitamin E levels were raised in cases of lipemia, especially in those treated with fibrates. The mechanism of the increase is unknown. In hypertensives and diabetics, there was a decrease in total carotenoids associated with increased peroxidative risk.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-DNA adducts in smokers and their relationship to micronutrient levels and the glutathione-S-transferase M1 genotype.

Sixty-three male cigarette smokers were entered into a cross-sectional study to determine whether inverse associations existed between polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-DNA adduct levels and intake/serum levels of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E. Associations between PAH-DNA adducts and intakes of carotene, as well as serum levels of beta-carotene, were also determined. Fasting blood samples were collected for assays of PAH-DNA adducts in circulating mononuclear cells, plasma cotinine and serum levels of vitamin A, beta-carotene, vitamin C and vitamin E. Since genetic deficiency in the detoxifying enzyme glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) has been associated with increased risk of lung cancer, GSTM1 genotype was also determined. Analysis of PAH-DNA adducts by competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) indicated that 70% of the subjects had detectable adducts, with a mean of 4.38 adducts/10(8) nucleotides (range 1.00-24.1/10(8)). Pearson's method was utilized to determine whether any associations existed between the various host variables and PAH-DNA adducts. Previously, no significant associations were found between PAH-DNA adducts and cigarettes smoked/day, pack-years, daily/life-time tar exposures or plasma cotinine levels (Santella et al., Carcinogenesis, 13, 2041-2045, 1992). PAH-DNA adducts were inversely associated with serum cholesterol-adjusted vitamin E levels (r = -0.25, P < or = 0.05) and with smoking-adjusted vitamin C serum levels (r = -0.22, P < or = 0.09). Stratification by GSTM1 genotype indicated that these associations were limited to subjects with the null genotype. The relationship between adducts and serum cholesterol-adjusted vitamin E was significant in those of the null genotype (r = -0.38, P < or = 0.04), but not in those with the gene present (r = -0.12, P = 0.5). Similarly, for smoking-adjusted vitamin C, the relationship with adducts was stronger in subjects with the null genotype (r = -0.35, P < or = 0.06) than in those with GSTM1 present (r = -0.05, P = 0.77). These results are consistent with findings of prior epidemiological studies identifying significant inverse associations between anti-oxidant micronutrient status or GSTM1 genotype and the incidence of lung cancer. Additional studies should be conducted to confirm a possible role for vitamin E in PAH-DNA adduct formation and to explore further the possible roles of vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin C in modulating adduct formation and lung cancer risk.

Factors related to the plasma fatty acid profile in healthy subjects, with special reference to antioxidant micronutrient status: a multivariate analysis

The plasma lipid fatty acid (FA) profile was measured in 83 healthy subjects (35 men, 48 women; ages 18-82 y). The association of 19 variables (including serum antioxidant micronutrients) with saturated (SFA), monounsaturated (MUFA), essential (EFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) status was assessed by stepwise multiple-linear regression. Serum selenium was directly associated with percent EFA and n-6 PUFA (r = 0.38, P = 0.0004 for both) and inversely related to percent SFA in phospholipids (r = -0.38, P = 0.0004). Serum selenium was the only predictor of the unsaturation index of this fraction (r = 0.45, P = 0.0000). Although associations of plasma FA pattern with age, serum cholesterol, bilirubin, vitamin E, and zinc were also disclosed, only for selenium did the antioxidant effect seem to explain this relationship. These results suggest that antioxidant micronutrients should be measured when PUFA metabolism is studied. The relationship between plasma FA and antioxidant micronutrients in disease states needs further research.