Budy Krestanto, Dian Handayani, Anik Puryatni

Abstract
Background: Decreasing levels of cysteine ​​are known to cause changes in the redox environment. GSH proved antioxidants can lower the reduction potential of GSSG/2GSH and activation of NF-kB. Many studies have proven the benefits of cysteine ​​in patients with protein malnutrition, but there is no research to prove the role of cysteine ​​in patients with marasmus type malnutrition. Aims: To determine the relationship between levels of cysteine ​​and activation of NF-kB in children with marasmus type malnutrition. Methods: This study was an observational analytic study using cross-sectional design. The cysteine ​​and activation of p65,p50 subunits of NF-kB measured in two groups as marasmus type malnutrition and controls of well-nourished children. Marasmus type malnutrition consisting of 18 children and controls consisting of 18 well-nourished children. The levels of cysteine was measured using ELISA, while activation of p65,p50 subunits of NF-kB examined using flowcytometry method. Results: The results of this study showed that an average of cysteine level ranking of marasmus type malnutrition group was lower compared to well-nourished group (11.33 vs 25.67 pg/mL; p<0.005). The activation of p65 subunits of NF-kB average in the group of marasmus type malnutrition was lower than control (61.65±5.00 vs 65.28±3.29; p<0.005), while activation of p50 subunits of NF-kB was not significantly different between marasmus type malnutrition group and control (15.47 vs 21.53; p=0.085). The Spearman correlation between levels of cysteine ​​and activation of p65 subunits of NF-kB in children with marasmus type malnutrition showed no significant correlation (r=-0.012; p=0.961), likewise between cysteine and activation of p50 subunits of NF-kB also indicated no significant correlation (r=-0.428; p=0.076). Conclusion: Cysteine ​​levels and activation of p65,p50 subunits of NF-kB in children with marasmus type malnutrition were significantly lower compared with well-nourished children. There was no significant correlation between the levels of cysteine ​​with the activation of p65,p50 subunits of NF-kB in patients with marasmus type malnutrition.

Keywords: cysteine levels, activation of p65,p50 subunits of NF-kB, children, marasmus type malnutrition

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