Intake of antioxidant nutrients and coefficients of variation in pregnant women with preeclampsia

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE

Oxidative stress appears to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Evidence suggests that adequate intake of antioxidants can modulate this condition. The objective of this study was to assess the intake of antioxidant nutrients and coefficients of variation in pregnant women with preeclampsia.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study in the public health network of the city of Maceió, Brazil, a dietary survey was performed consisting of 24-hour food recalls, with subsequent adjustment of nutrients using the estimated average requirement as the cutoff point, and a questionnaire on frequency of consumption of antioxidants.

RESULTS

We studied 90 pregnant women with preeclampsia (PWP) and 90 pregnant women without preeclampsia (PWoP) with mean ages of 25.8±6.7 years and 24.1±6.2 years (p=0.519), respectively. A low mean intake of antioxidants (vitamin A, selenium, zinc and copper) was observed in both PWP and PWoP, although intakes of vitamin A (p=0.045) and selenium (p=0.008) were higher in PWoP. In addition, we observed high coefficients of variation in nutrient intakes in both groups, which were higher for vitamin C (p<0.001), vitamin A (p=0.006) and copper (p=0.005) in PWP.

CONCLUSIONS

Consumption of antioxidant nutrients by pregnant women with preeclampsia is inadequate, with considerable daily variations in intake, which points to a need for nutrition education strategies aimed at improving intakes, because diet is without doubt a key factor in the modulation of oxidative stress caused by preeclampsia.

[Perioperative approach of patient with takotsubo syndrome]

INTRODUCTION

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) is a stress-induced cardiomyopathy. It is characterized by an acute onset of symptoms and electrocardiographic abnormalities mimicking an acute coronary syndrome in the absence of obstructive coronary artery disease. Any anesthetic-surgical event corresponds to a stressful situation, so the anesthetic management of patients with TCM requires special care throughout the perioperative period. We describe the anesthetic management of a patient with a confirmed diagnosis of TCM undergoing segmental colectomy.

CASE REPORT

Female patient, 55 years old, ASA III, with history of takotsubo syndrome diagnosed 2 years ago, scheduled for segmental colectomy. The patient, without other changes in preoperative evaluation, underwent general anesthesia associated with lumbar epidural and remained hemodynamically stable during the 2hours of surgery. After a brief stay in the Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, she was transferred to the Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU), with epidural analgesia for postoperative period.

CONCLUSION

TCM is a rare disease which true pathophysiology remains unclear, as well as the most appropriate anesthetic-surgical strategy. In this case, through a preventive approach, with close monitoring and the lowest possible stimulus, all the perioperative period was uneventful. Because it is a rare disease, this report could help to raise awareness about TCM.

Oxidative and antioxidative status of children with acute bronchiolitis

OBJECTIVE

Oxidative stress has been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of acute and chronic lung inflammatory diseases. This article aimed to evaluate the oxidant/antioxidant status of children with acute bronchiolitis through the measurement of plasma total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress index.

METHODS

Children with acute bronchiolitis admitted to the pediatric emergency department of a university hospital between January and April of 2012 were compared with age-matched healthy controls. Patients with acute bronchiolitis were classified as mild and moderate bronchiolitis. Oxidative and antioxidative status were assessed by measurement of plasma total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status, and oxidative stress index.

RESULTS

Thirty-one children with acute bronchiolitis aged between 3 months and 2 years, and 39 healthy children were included. Total oxidative status (TOS) was higher in patients with acute bronchiolitis than the control group (5.16±1.99 μmol H2O2 versus 3.78±1.78 μmol H2O2 [p=0.004]). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was lower in children with bronchiolitis than the control group (2.51±0.37 μmol Trolox eqv/L versus 2.75±0.39 μmol Trolox eqv/L [p=0.013]). Patients with moderate bronchiolitis presented higher TOS levels than those with mild bronchiolitis and the control group (p=0.03, p<0.001, respectively). Patients with moderate bronchiolitis had higher oxidative stress index levels than the control group (p=0.015). Oxygen saturation level of bronchiolitis patients was inversely correlated with TOS (r=-0.476, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The balance between oxidant and antioxidant systems is disrupted in children with moderate bronchiolitis, which indicates that this stress factor may have a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.