Introduction:

malnutrition is one of the most common health problems among children in underdeveloped countries, including Mexico. Previous studies have indicated increased genetic damage in malnourished humans and animal models, but the essential mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, we assessed the effects of malnutrition on the frequency of micronucleus (MN) in reticulocytes (RET) from the peripheral blood of well-nourished uninfected (WN), well-nourished infected (WNI), moderately malnourished infected (UNM) and severely malnourished infected (UNS) children. Moreover, lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant status were evaluated to investigate the role of oxidative processes in malnutrition-associated genotoxicity.

Methods:

the antioxidant status of the study population was determined by measuring superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the red blood cells and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in whole blood.

Results:

the UNS and UNM groups have increased percentages of MN-RET compared to the WNI group. Moreover, the data showed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation and a decrease in erythrocyte SOD activity and GPX activity in the malnourished group compared to the well-nourished infected children.

Conclusion:

the data suggest that the antioxidant system was impaired in the cells of malnourished children and that oxidative stress causes a significant increase in DNA damage, as evaluated by the MN-RET frequency.

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