Total antioxidant potential and essential trace metals in the breast milk and plasma of Nigerian human immunodeficiency virus-infected lactating mothers

BACKGROUND The effect of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) on the immune system is well documented however; its impact on the nutritional and immunological qualities of the breast milk is scarce. AIM Levels of some essential trace metals, albumin and antioxidant status in the plasma and breast milk of Nigerian HIV-infected lactating mothers were determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS Essential trace metals and total antioxidant potential were measured using spectrophotometric method while albumin was measured using single radial immunodiffusion technique. RESULTS Only the mean plasma level of albumin in HIV infected lactating mothers (HIM) was significantly reduced when compared with HIV free lactating mothers (HFM) [9.39 (4.46) g/L vs 26.18 (18.43) g/L, P=0.000], others had no significant difference. The mean breast milk levels of total antioxidant potential (1776.82(564.26) μmolTE/L vs. 2384.67 (679.00) μmolTE/L, P = 0.0000), Cu [67.68 (5.04) μg/dL vs. 71.10 (5.45) μg/dL, P = 0.033] and Fe [66.21 (6.31) μg/dL vs. 71.20 (6.48) μg/dL, P = 0.011] were significantly reduced in HIM compared with HFM. No significant differences were observed in other parameters. CONCLUSION It could be concluded from this study that hypoalbuminemia is a feature of HIV-infected lactating mothers and that breast milk of HIM has low antioxidant capacity.