Abstract

Oxidative stress was examined in three different types of induced-malnutrition such as marasmus, kwashiorkor and marasmic-kwashiokor. Biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and total protein were determined to assess oxidative stress. The activity of SOD and catalase showed that there was an increased oxidative stress in rats fed with the lowest protein diet (protein-calorie malnutrition group). The study confirmed that of the three states of malnutrition, oxidative stress was more pronounced in marasmic-kwashiokor than in the other two groups.

Key words: Malnutrition, oxidative stress, antioxidants, enzymes, rats.