Trace elements and protein-calorie malnutrition in the Fès area (Morocco)

Copper and selenium are essential micronutrients for development and growth as well as being necessary for the immune system and as an antioxidant defense. These trace elements present a variable distribution according to geographic regions. Several studies have shown reduced serum copper and selenium levels, as well as the activity of erythrocyte copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD) and selenium-glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in protein-calorie malnutrition (PCM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the erythrocyte enzymatic activity depending on copper or selenium and the levels of these elements in serum. Fifty-six Moroccan children between the age of 6 to 60 months were selected, then divided into 20 control group children and 36 patients suffering from PCM (15 mildly malnourished and 21 severely malnourished). The malnourished group showed a significant decrease of selenium and copper levels that was related to the severity of malnutrition. Serum selenium decreased more than serum copper. No differences were noted between the groups in erythrocyte GPX activity, whereas SOD activity showed more discrepancy than in the copper levels in malnutrition. Serum copper or ceruloplasmin levels could be used as indicators of the severity of malnutrition, whereas the selenium levels could be used as indicators of the nutritional status.