Abstract

CASTILLO-CASTANEDA, Patricia Carolina et al. Antioxidants, reactive oxygen species and oxidative damage associated to the presence of organochlorine pesticides in breast milk. Nutr. Hosp. [online]. 2016, vol.33, n.2, pp.422-430. ISSN 1699-5198.  https://dx.doi.org/10.20960/nh.127.

Introduction: Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) can increase the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), the effects of which can be countered by the antioxidant system, also present in breast milk. Objective: To evaluate the indicators of oxidative stress in breast milk associated to the presence of OCPs, and their relationship with seafood intake. Methods: Breast milk was collected from 108 lactating women. Indicators of oxidative stress (antioxidant enzyme activity, glutathione concentration, superoxide radical [O₂•^-] production, lipid peroxidation and carbonylated protein concentration) were analyzed by spectrophotometry. OCPs concentrations were measured by gas chromatography. Results and discussion: O₂•^- production had no significant relationship with OCPs concentrations. Significant correlations between OCPs concentrations and antioxidant enzyme activities (glutathione reductase [GR] activity and aldrin concentration [r = - 0.5], superoxide dismutase [SOD] activity and α-HCH concentration [r = 0.45]) were found. Oxidative damage had a low correlation with OCPs content (r < 0.30, p < 0.05). It is possible that OCP's levels are not sufficient to increase O₂•^- production, that production of ROS other than O₂•^- is increased, or that the antioxidant capacity is sufficient to avoid oxidative damage in breast milk. Conclusion: Results from this study suggest that marine diet is not a determinant factor in the level of contamination by OCP's or in the oxidative damage in breast milk.

Keywords : Antioxidants; Breast milk; Marine diet; Organochlorine pesticides.

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