title: Reversibility of age associated NK defect by endocrinological and/or nutritional intervention.
abstract: Several abnormalities arise at the level of NK cell function in both rodents and humans with increasing age. The age-related changes are not irreversible alterations since they can be reversed either by endocrinological or nutritional approaches, suggesting that age-related microenvironmental changes may play a relevant role in the age-related immune deterioration. Whether endocrine and nutritional factors have an additive effect or act through the same intracellular mechanisms remains to be established, though the first possibility seems more likely since the action of TSH and thyroid hormones is specifically directed towards lymphokine-boosted NK activity, while AL are able to prevent age-associated defect of basal NK cytotoxicity.
authors.affiliation: Centro di Immunologia, Centri Nazionali Italiani per la Ricerca sulla, Senescenza (INRCA), Ancona.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Provinciali
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pieri
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fabris
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006728:Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D007372:Interferons / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000187:drug effects; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D013963:Thyroid Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D006728:Hormones; D007376:Interleukin-2; D008563:Membrane Lipids; D013963:Thyroid Hormones; D013972:Thyrotropin; D007372:Interferons