Influence of zinc, copper and superoxide dismutase 1 polymorphism on mortality in patients with septic shock

Abstract

Despite advances in the knowledge of septic shock in the last decades, it continuous to be the leading cause of death in intensive care units. Oxidative stress is increasingly recognized as a key feature of septic shock, and as an interesting therapeutic target. In critically ill patients low plasma zinc (Zn) concentrations and higher levels of copper (Cu) were observed due to the inflammatory process, as well as, reduced activity of enzymatic antioxidant defense systems. Superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) is one of the main enzymes, in the human body, responsible for combating oxidative stress. Its antioxidant capacity is influenced by plasma Zn and Cu concentrations. In addition, the A35C and G2809A SOD1 polymorphisms also appears to influence the activity of the enzyme. Studies investigating the association between the activity of SOD1 and A35C and G2809A polymorphisms are controversial. However, some studies showed that the presence of polymorphisms were associated with lower activity of SOD1 and consequently with increased oxidative stress. In patients with septic shock the associations between A35C and G2809A polymorphisms of SOD1 gene, its enzymatic activity and nutritional status of Zn and Cu have not yet been studied.Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of Zn, Cu, A35C and G2809A polymorphisms of SOD1 in the activity of this enzyme and mortality in patients with septic shock. (AU)