title: Effect of zinc on immune functions and host resistance against infection and tumor challenge.
abstract: The effect of zinc treatment on immune function and resistance against infection and tumor challenge was studied in mice. Swiss albino mice were treated with zinc acetate (3 mg/kg body weight) in one or two intraperitoneal injections. Various immune function assays were performed in treated animals. Zinc treatment to normal animals caused potentiation of T-lymphocyte and macrophage functions. Zinc treatment was also found to increase host resistance against Candida albicans and Semliki Forest virus infections. Increased resistance against endotoxin shock and Ehrlich's ascites tumor challenge was also observed in zinc treated animals. It can be stated from this study that zinc treatment potentiates the cell mediated immunity and host resistance against infection and tumor challenge.
authors.affiliation: Preventive Toxicology Division, Industrial Toxicology Research Centre, Lucknow, India.
authors.forename: K P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Zaidi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raisuddin
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Saxena
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Murthy
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Ray
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000276:immunology; D002286:Carcinoma, Ehrlich Tumor / Q000276:immunology*; D006462:Hemolytic Plaque Technique; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects*; D007239:Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D007958:Leukocyte Count / Q000187:drug effects; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D012672:Semliki forest virus; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000276:immunology; D014036:Togaviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology; D015032:Zinc / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc