Status of malondialdehyde, catalase and superoxide dismutase levels/activities in schoolchildren with iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia of Kashere and its environs in Gombe State, Nigeria

Nitrosative and Oxidative Stress, Reduced Antioxidant Capacity, and Fiber Type Switch in Iron-Deficient COPD Patients: Analysis of Muscle and Systemic Compartments

We hypothesized that a rise in the levels of oxidative/nitrosative stress markers and a decline in antioxidants might take place in systemic and muscle compartments of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with non-anemic iron deficiency. In COPD patients with/without iron depletion (n = 20/group), markers of oxidative/nitrosative stress and antioxidants were determined in blood and vastus lateralis (biopsies, muscle fiber phenotype). Iron metabolism, exercise, and limb muscle strength were assessed in all patients. In iron-deficient COPD compared to non-iron deficient patients, oxidative (lipofuscin) and nitrosative stress levels were greater in muscle and blood compartments and proportions of fast-twitch fibers, whereas levels of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) decreased. In severe COPD, nitrosative stress and reduced antioxidant capacity were demonstrated in vastus lateralis and systemic compartments of iron-deficient patients. The slow- to fast-twitch muscle fiber switch towards a less resistant phenotype was significantly more prominent in muscles of these patients. Iron deficiency is associated with a specific pattern of nitrosative and oxidative stress and reduced antioxidant capacity in severe COPD irrespective of quadriceps muscle function. In clinical settings, parameters of iron metabolism and content should be routinely quantify given its implications in redox balance and exercise tolerance.

Heavy metals and inflammatory, oxidative/antioxidant and DNA damage biomarkers among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Niger Delta, Nigeria

This study evaluated the association of heavy metals (HMs) and effect biomarkers (inflammation, oxidative stress/antioxidant capacity and DNA damage) among people living with HIV/AIDS (PHWHA) in Niger Delta area, Nigeria. Blood levels of lead (BPb), cadmium (BCd), copper (BCu), zinc (BZn), iron (BFe), C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione (GSH) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were determined in a total of 185 participants, 104 HIV-positive and 81 HIV-negative sampled in both Niger Delta and non-Niger Delta regions. BCd (p < 0.001) and BPb (p = 0.139) were higher in HIV-positive subjects compared to HIV-negative controls; on the contrary, BCu, BZn and BFe levels were lower (p < 0.001) in HIV-positive subjects compared to HIV-negative controls. The Niger Delta population had higher levels of heavy metals (p < 0.01) compared to non-Niger Delta residents. CRP and 8-OHdG were higher (p < 0.001) in HIV-positive than in HIV-negative subjects and in Niger-Delta than in non-Niger Delta residents. BCu had significant positive dose-response relationship with CRP (61.9%, p = 0.063) and GSH (1.64%, p = 0.035) levels in HIV-positive subjects, and negative response with MDA levels (26.6%, p < 0.001). Periodic assessment of HMs levels among PLWHA is recommended.

Alterations in glutathione redox homeostasis among adolescents with obesity and anemia

The reduced (GSH)-to-oxidized (GSSG) glutathione ratio represents a dynamic balance between oxidants and antioxidants. However, redox status in adolescents with obesity and anemia has not been investigated. This study investigated the association of erythrocyte GSH redox status (GSH, GSH:GSSG ratio, and glutathione peroxidase [GPx] activity) with anemia and adiposity in adolescents. This case–control study nested in a cross-sectional study enrolled 524 adolescents (268 boys; 256 girls). The prevalence of anemia in overweight and obesity (OWOB) was 5.2% in boys and 11.7% in girls. The GSH:GSSG ratio and GPx activity were significantly higher in girls than in boys (p < 0.001), in anemic than in non-anemic subjects (p < 0.001), and in OWOB than in normal-weight subjects (p < 0.001). Similarly, significantly higher GSH: GSSG level (p < 0.001) and GPx activity (p < 0.001) were found in subjects with 90th percentile waist circumference than in those with < 90th percentile. GPx and GSH:GSSG were positively associated with anemia after adjusting for age, sex, and body mass index (adjusted odds ratio, adjOR [95% confidence interval, CI] 2.18 [1.44–3.29]) or tertiles (adjOR [95% CI], T3 = 2.49 [1.03–6.01]). A similar association was noted for GSH and GPx. A compensatory increased redox defense mechanism exists in anemia and obesity among adolescents without metabolic disturbances.