Serum zinc and malondialdehyde concentrations and their relation to total antioxidant capacity in protein energy malnutrition.

The aim of present study was to assess the association between serum zinc and oxidant/antioxidant status in children with protein energy malnutrition. Serum zinc, total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde were measured spectrophotometrically in 100 children (6 mo to 5 y); out of these, 50 children were malnourished and 50 children served as controls. Serum zinc levels were found to be significantly low in the malnourished (p<0.001). Serum zinc levels in Grade I and Grade II malnourished were 82.7 and 67.7 microg/dL respectively and in Grade III and IV combined was 53.2 microg/dL as compared to 109.5 microg/dL in the control group. These levels were significantly lower in children who had skin lesions than in those without such lesions (p<0.001). Total antioxidant capacity was found to be significantly lowered in malnourished children (Grade I=1.3 mmol/L, Grade II=1.1 mmol/L, Grade III and IV=0.5 mmol/L) as compared to 2.0 mmol/L in the control group (p<0.001). The malondialdehyde concentration in malnourished children was significantly higher (p<0.001) (Grade I=1.6 nmol/mL, Grade II=1.9 nmol/mL, Grade III and IV=2.9 nmol/mL) as compared to 1.3 nmol/mL in controls. Total antioxidant capacity and hypoalbuminaemia were also correlated positively with low serum zinc level. Serum trace element deficiency leading to depleted antioxidant protection may be a contributing factor to the pathophysiology of protein energy malnutrition and replacement of these elements in the management of this condition might be important.