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The aim of this preliminary study was to determine specific proteins, related to inflammation process and nutritional status as well as to total antioxidant capacity, in children suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). The study was performed on 17 nonhospitalized children (12 boys and 5 girls) with CF aged 3 months to 10 years, who were assisted at the Nutrition Service from Pedro de Elizalde Hospital. Transferrin, transthyretin, ceruloplasmin (Cp), haptoglobin, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen were measured by single radial immunodiffusion techniques. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was determined by a decolorization assay. Statistical analyses were performed by the Student's t test. Transferrin and transthyretin values were lower in CF patients in comparison with data obtained from healthy children (reference group, RG). The decreased transferrin concentration and the tendency towards low plasma transthyretin values suggested an abnormal nutritional status. However, higher Cp and haptoglobin levels were shown in patients than in RG. The fact that 23 and 50 % of patients exceeded the desirable values for fibrinogen (< 285 . 0 mg/dl) and CRP (< 0 . 2 mg/dl), respectively, should be highlighted. The TAC (mM; Trolox equivalents) was shown to be lower in the CF group than in RG. The diminished TAC concomitant with an increased plasma Cp concentration would exacerbate the inflammatory status and could explain the depression of the immune system. These preliminary results could explain the need to include biochemical and functional parameters in the early nutritional status evaluation in CF patients in order to use appropriate nutritional and pharmacological therapies and consequently to improve their survival and quality of life.

Nutrition is a critical component of the management of cystic fibrosis (CF), and nutritional status is directly associated with both pulmonary status and survival (1). Previous results have shown that several serum fractions (apoB, transferrin) related to the nutritional status of children with CF are diminished (2). The present preliminary study measured in the same group of children specific serum proteins associated with the immune system and the activity of adenosine deaminase (ADA), an enzyme associated with T lymphocytes (3,4). Sixteen children of both genders with CF, between 5 months and 11 years of age, were evaluated between September 2005 and February 2007,with assistance from the Nutrition Service. Samples of whole blood were collected from fasting patients. C3 and C4 complement fractions (C3c, C4c) were measured by single radial immunodiffusion techniques using commercially-available kits (Diffuplate; Biocientifica, Buenos Aires, Argentina) (5). The activity of ADA was determined by the method of Giusti & Galanti (6). The results were compared with reference values obtained from healthy children matched for age and gender.

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